Two Winnipeg teachers honoured by province

North End

The Exchange District

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This article was published 14/05/2025 (432 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two Winnipeg educators are among the recipients of provincial awards for excellence.

In April, nine educators from across Manitoba received the provincial government’s Excellence in Education Awards in recognition of their exceptional contribution and commitment to educational excellence.

“Every day teachers make a huge impact in the lives of their students and today I am honoured to acknowledge these exceptional educators who create inspiring environments in which to learn,” Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt said in a statement. “Teachers work tirelessly to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life while also nurturing their social, emotional and physical growth.”

Amanda Almdal, a learning support teacher at David Livingstone School (270 Flora Ave.), was one of three to receive Teaching Excellence Awards.

“After 27 years, in the third act of my career and nearing my end, having this award was an unexpected honour,” Almdal said. “It felt kind of surreal, that imposter syndrome, to be singled out in this way. Teaching isn’t something you get into thinking you’re going to win an award. I just felt overwhelmed with gratitude, for the colleagues who thought highly enough of me to put my name forward and to the selection committee who thought I’d done something worthy.”

According to the official release, “Almdal is a master at differentiated instruction, individualizing student learning through regular formative assessment to meet students’ diverse needs, build their confidence and foster of a love of learning.”

“Some days are hard. It can be a struggle,” Almdal admitted. “I’m really grateful to the folks I work with. I said in my acceptance speech that I shared this with them. I learn from them and lean on them every day. It’s not something you do on your own. It’s a collaborative effort.”

The award, Almdal said, has been validating.

“It’s given me a lot of gratitude,” she said. “I’m really appreciative of the work I get to do every day. It’s a privilege to work with kids and families. It’s put a little pep in my step.”

Meanwhile, Jonathan McPhail, a teacher with the Seven Oaks School Division’s Exchange Met School, won the Outstanding New Teacher Award.

“It’s complicated, because sometimes you really don’t feel like that at all,” said McPhail, 43, who is just completing his second year in the classroom, after working prior in a “couple of other careers.”

According to the official release, “McPhail’s innovative practices and unwavering commitment to his students and community make him an exceptional new educator.”

“I go to work every day with unbelievable educators, and I work so collaboratively with them, so it feels strange to be separated out and acknowledged that way,” McPhail said. “Ultimately, I think it’s pretty powerful in the sense that it’s something that underlines the importance of some of the things I am trying to express and do within education. I’m very much trying to be less a figure of an imposed power position, but rather a collaborator working with students to help them grow and achieve what they see as success.”