Momentum in Ontario: Educators Engaging with the Award

As we prepare for the Ontario Education Leadership Gathering, we’re proud to recognize the partners and leaders who are helping move the Award forward in meaningful, system-aligned ways. Their presence at this event is not symbolic; it’s strategic. These are the people and institutions actively shaping how the Award is being delivered to support student development, career readiness, and equity across Ontario.  

• Greater Essex County District School Board was the first District School Board to join as an Education Operating Partner. Their early adoption of the Award within SHSM and skilled trades programs has demonstrated how experiential learning can be embedded into existing structures to support workforce readiness and student engagement. Their continued leadership is helping define what scalable, system-wide implementation looks like.  

• Peel District School Board is our newest District School Board Education Operating Partner.  Their emerging partnership focused on multilingual learners and equity-focused programming. Their interest in the Award as a tool to support inclusive, culturally responsive learning environments is a powerful signal of how the Award can serve diverse student populations. 

• Fanshawe College is becoming the first college Education Operating Partner. Their pilot, centered on supporting women in trades, is a bold step toward expanding the Award’s relevance beyond secondary school and into postsecondary pathways. Their leadership will also support other colleges exploring similar models. 

• Halton Catholic District School Board is preparing to launch its pilot this fall at Christ the King and Bishop Reding Secondary Schools. Their participation reflects a commitment to enhancing SHSM programs in trades, business, and careers with a focus on student reflection, goal-setting, and personal growth. 

This gathering isn’t just about recognition, it’s about momentum. It’s a moment for leaders to connect across sectors, reflect on what’s working, and imagine what’s possible when experiential learning becomes a shared priority. With voices from education, youth, and community all in one room, the conversations ahead are set to shape the next chapter of the Award in Ontario. 

We’re also honoured to be joined by speakers who bring both lived experience and leadership insight. Mark Little, CEO of Award Canada, will guide the day’s flow. Vicky Houston, Director of Greater Essex County District School Board will share her board’s journey as a pioneering Education Operating Partner.  Andrea Chakma, International Youth Representative, will reflect on her personal Award experience and global perspective and Amy Langhorne, Chair of Award Canada’s Board of Directors, will speak to the future of the Award and its role in shaping youth development across the country. 

We are honoured to welcome both The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and HRH The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh to the Ontario Education Leadership Gathering. As a lifelong educator and the first Francophone to hold the office, the Lieutenant Governor brings a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and student voice—values that reflect the heart of the Award. Her presence alongside HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, brings both provincial leadership and global visibility to the Award’s growing presence in Ontario. Together, their attendance signals leadership alignment at the highest levels, reinforcing the Award as a credible, system-aligned pathway worthy of broader strategic adoption by school boards and ministries. 

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