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Home >> About Us >> BCCPAC Awards >> George Matthews Award Criteria
The George Matthews Award for Excellence in Parent Leadership
Selection Criteria and Nomination Procedure
Introduction
The School Act, section 8, gives parents the right to advise on all matters relating to education. BCCPAC encourages parents to take on leadership roles in public education and to demonstrate the important role of parents.
The George Matthews Award is given annually to honour special parents -- those who have opened the eyes of other parents to exciting possibilities in carrying out their rights and responsibilities, whose personal dedication, passion, and influence have shaped the attitudes not only of other parents, but also of the education community and the community at large.
Background
The George Matthews Award was created to honour George Edwin Matthews (1941-2001) who provided unwavering support to BCCPAC through his years as Ministry of Education liaison with BCCPAC. George Matthews' judgment and opinions were respected and his fair-mindedness won him the confidence of BCCPAC members.
Objective
The George Matthews Award honours a parent or guardian who has been an exemplary leader, not only in the education of his or her own children, but also in leading others to have a significant impact on the ability of parents to exercise leadership in public education.
Nominees
The nominated parent must be or recently have been a parent or guardian of a member PAC or DPAC.
Nominators
Nominators may be any person or group of persons with direct knowledge of the nominee's contributions, but may not be a family member.
Selection Criteria and Evidence
Award recipients are selected on the basis of their dynamic leadership qualities that exemplify personal and inspirational practices which have had major, identifiable impact on parent interest and participation in public education.
Specific criteria include excellent leadership practices, parent interest and participation, and student acknowledgement.
Excellent leadership practices may be demonstrated through
- innovative methods to promote interest in learning opportunities for parents
- development of education partnerships
- support provided to parents in need
- a non-adversarial, non-confrontational approach to problem-solving and issue-management
- development or publication of resources.
Parent interest and participation may be demonstrated through
- participation of socially or economically disadvantaged parents
- parent/guardian representation on school or district committees
- participation at parent-initiated learning opportunities (e.g. workshops)
- parent participation at school or district-initiated opportunities (e.g. Pro D)
- new parents taking on leadership roles
- parent/guardian attendance at PAC/DPAC meetings.
Evidence
Examples of innovative methods that promote parent participation, and evidence of a non-adversarial, non-confrontational approach to problem-solving and issue-management
- three testimonials from parents, staff (school/district), students
- could include: attendance rates at PAC/DPAC meetings, description of parent leadership opportunities, description of parent participation on school or district committees.
Nomination Procedure and Guidelines
To ensure that all parties are aware of the nomination, that the nominee is eligible, and that the information presented is accurate, forms must be signed by the nominee, the nominator, and an executive member of the parent advisory or district parent advisory council.
The nomination package must include
- a completed Nomination Form
- maximum 500 word summary by the nominator of the nominee's background with evidence to support the criteria, including concise details about activities and programs that impact on parent participation
- 3 letters of support, two from parents and another from a student, administrator, educator, or trustee.
Selection Procedure
All nomination packages will be reviewed by a committee appointed by BCCPAC using a rating guide based on the selection criteria.
Nomination packages are to be submitted to BCCPAC by February 28th of each year.
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