June 2015
(Fort McMurray) Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude are proud to announce the 1st nominee for the Women of Inspiration series 2015-2016: Vicki Dawe
Vicki Dawe‘s charm and fun loving personality make her popular among the staff and students at Westwood Community High School. Ms. Dawe is the science teacher at Westwood and has been teaching for 15 years. She specializes in teaching biology and is also the advanced placement Biology teacher. She uses her enthusiasm in her teaching and devices fun acronyms and rap songs to teach her students about body functions and systems. Ms. Dawe is the vice-president for the Wood Buffalo Youth Science Foundation and volunteers countless hours to ensure that the annual Wood Buffalo Regional Science Fair is successful. Ms. Dawe took the initiative to begin a Science Fair club at Westwood and spends many a lunch hour helping students with their science fair projects. She is also the delegate that accompanies selected students to the Canadian Science Fair. Vicki’s interesting approach to science inspires many young girls to pursue careers in science.
Ms. Dawe’s students feel that her compassionate attitude, warm smile and her life experiences make her a great woman to look up to. A number of her former female students aspire to be as strong and open-minded as she is. She is encouraging of different cultures and religions in her classroom and respects and promotes diversity. She is always curious to know more about where her students come from.
Ms. Dawe started a small charity in her classroom in memory of a friend who passed away from breast cancer. She has a café in her classroom that has a coffee maker, hot chocolate, etc. Students are welcome to grab a cup at any time and to make a donation in return. This money is then given to the breast cancer foundation. This small step enriches the school and community and is a reminder for her students to be kind to others.
Ms. Dawe has inspired many women and girls to face challenges that life throws at them and to come out of it like a star. She demonstrates by example that women are capable of making a positive difference in their community and can be interested in science too .Her catch phrase is “I may not know how to _________, but I sure as hell know how the heart works.”
A student of Ms. Dawe stated “Ms. Dawe is the most beautiful and kind-hearted teacher that I have encountered in my high school years. Her opinions and beliefs about people and the world are so honest and insightful and she has the most hilarious ways of expressing them, which tells you even more about the kind of person she is. She makes people happy and her upbeat personality has always added an essence to her teaching. She has this quote that says “ I’m a better mom than I am a teacher.” And I believe it to be 100% true because the life lessons that she teaches us in class are always some to reflect upon and remember as we go through life. She is such an inspiration and she will always remain in my heart.”
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude will honour Vicki and 11 other nominees, at the Women of Inspiration Celebration which will take place in June, 2016
The Women of Inspiration is a partnership between Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude, with a goal to recognize women throughout the Wood Buffalo region who inspire others, break new ground or old barriers and help create change. The series also aims to show local girls positive role models who live right here.
To nominate a woman of inspiration, please visit our website at www.girlsincofnorthernalberta.org or contact the Girls Inc. office at 780-790-9236.
For more information, please contact:
Ann Dort-MacLean
Executive Director – Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta
Phone: 780-790-9236
Email: girlsinc@telus.net
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