A provincial education organization has recognized Moose Jaw school trustee Christine Boyczuk with its top award for her efforts to promote lifelong learning and volunteerism.
Boyczuk received the LEADS Merit Award during the organization’s annual spring conference and annual general meeting on March 8. Holy Trinity Catholic School Division’s board of education — with whom she is a trustee and vice-chair — then recognized her during its March 14 meeting.
LEADS stands for the League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents.
Award criteria include making significant contributions to education and LEADS; demonstrating strong leadership and collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other education groups; and possessing strong senior administration skills.
Also, nominees must demonstrate competencies and professional character to which others can aspire; provide leadership and represent LEADS with passion and generosity; and be a strong advocate for children and youths.
“I’m just very proud. It sounds like such a cliché, but I’m very humbled,” Boyczuk said. “It’s really nice to be recognized, but when … you’re recognized by a group of people that you’ve done the same kind of work, it’s very special.”
This is not the first time Boyczuk has been recognized for her work. Over the years, she has received the City of Moose Jaw’s Citizen of the Year award, the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal and the Moose Jaw Police Service’s Safety Award.
Boyczuk — the co-ordinator for the Moose Jaw Literacy Network — has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to learning and has contributed to Saskatchewan’s education sector, LEADS said in a news release.
Boyczuk joined LEADS in 1987 as superintendent of curriculum and consultative services and gifted education with the Moose Jaw Public School Division. She later became assistant director and then education director of the Davidson School Division.
She was a founding member of Women in Leadership and LEADS (WILL) and Rural Congress, and was active on the latter’s planning committee for 15 years. She has also given presentations at more than 50 provincial, national and international conferences.
Besides being a “prolific and entertaining presenter,” Boyczuk has published educational articles and ensured educators had access to quality professional learning, LEADS added. She has promoted and supported education at all levels, and was a sessional lecturer at the University of Regina and a member of the SIAST board in the 1990s.
Developing a foundation of lifelong learning is important, especially in the early years of pre-kindergarten to Grade 3, since that time can affect children for life, Boyczuk told the Moose Jaw Express. She enjoyed being the board chair at SIAST — now Saskatchewan Polytechnic — since post-secondary education usually determines people’s future.
“Even if they don’t continue in the same role, they will continue to learn, and that’s important to me,” she said.
Boyczuk developed her passion for volunteering after growing up in a small town, where her parents devoted themselves to the community. She later moved to Moose Jaw, where residents worked hard to keep the community safe for her children and other youths.
“I appreciate Moose Jaw and I really appreciate what Moose Jaw has given to me, so I think I can give back a little bit of myself,” she said.
When asked for advice about learning or volunteering, Boyczuk said emotionally that people should find things they like to do and focus on that. She indicated that it can be satisfying to contribute to the community, a committee or a school.
“I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful people … . Nobody accomplishes anything by themselves,” she added. “If my commitment was to anything, it’s to working together.”
