“She cares deeply about her students and takes every possible opportunity to help each one succeed, both inside and outside the classroom,” he said

Frances Ann Squire, recipient of Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Frances Ann Squire, a teacher at Birchwood Intermediate School, has received a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

The awards are given each year to honour teachers for their leadership, exemplary teaching practices, and commitment to helping the next generation succeed in a world inspired by ideas and driven by innovation. Frances Ann Squire is highly regarded by her students and fellow teachers for her commitment to her profession and innovative teaching and learning approach.

Education and Lifelong Learning Minister Brad Trivers said people who know Frances Ann Squire will attest that she is a most deserving recipient of this prestigious award. 

“She cares deeply about her students and takes every possible opportunity to help each one succeed, both inside and outside the classroom,” he said. “Her fellow teachers widely respect her for her ability to integrate the arts and technology into learning while encouraging a love of reading and writing and a sense of social responsibility and global citizenship.”

Public Schools Branch Director Parker Grimmer said there are many aspects to being an exceptional intermediate school teacher and Frances Ann Squire embodies all of them. 

“Through her creative and collaborative teaching style, she awakens love and thirst for knowledge in her students. Frances is a great leader who earns her students’ trust and respect,” he said. “Some of the best teaching and learning I have ever witnessed has been in her classroom. Of all her accomplishments and distinctions, her greatest rewards come from her everyday interactions with her students and the Birchwood school community.”

Parents highly regard Frances for her ability to understand and support each student’s learning needs. Former Birchwood parent Peter Rukavina said Ms Squire understands how digital learning can offer students agency over their own education. 

“She challenged our son Oliver, she adapted her teaching to maximize Oliver’s strengths, and she has both a deep understanding of how he learns and a willingness to experiment when that understanding ran into challenges,” he said.”Frances Ann Squire is a dedicated educator, someone who sees teaching as a calling and devotes herself to it with her mind and soul.”