Okanagan educators wins three of Premier's awards

Three Okanagan educational instructors have put the valley on the map by getting recognized through the Premier's Awards for Excellence in Education.

A presentation ceremony was held Friday, Oct. 14 at Government House.

"The Premier's Awards for Excellence in Education celebrate the incredible achievements of 34 educational leaders over the past two years," Premier John Horgan said in a news release.

"Every day, you go above and beyond to put students first. The Premier's Awards are our chance to thank the teachers, staff and educational leaders who bring out the best in B.C. students and represent the best of our province."

Three members of the Okanagan school community won awards.

Nicole Rishaug, a student success team advocate from Mount Boucherie Secondary School in West Kelowna is the winner of the Outstanding Support Award.

Rupinder Aujla, a teacher at Ellison Elementary in Kelowna, was declared as B.C.’s Outstanding New Teacher. Vice principal Sandra Richardson from Penticton Secondary was given the Community Engagement Award.

Winners get a $3,000 taxable personal bursary for professional learning and $2,000 for their school. Runners-up get a consolation prize of a $1,000 taxable personal bursary for professional learning and $1,000 for their school.

Other faculty members from the Okanagan were runners up for the awards. A full list of finalists can be found here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.