UPDATE: Bert Ambrose Elementary teacher recognized with Classroom Champions award

UPDATE: Laurie Wright was also honoured for her contributions to Bert Ambrose Elementary School and integrating the Classroom Champions program.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – A Bert Ambrose Elementary teacher was recognized during a morning assembly on May 22nd for her contributions to the school, its Classroom Champions program, and the community.

During the school’s Classroom Champions celebration, Ruth Lee was surprised with the program’s Energizing Communities Award. This award recognizes her dedication to student wellness and creative leadership as a teacher in her community. 

Lee has taught at Bert Ambrose for almost ten years and is also a key member of the Classroom Champions program. This program brings world-class athletes and youth together in classrooms to motivate students to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. 

The assembly was held to celebrate the students who participated in the program and welcome program mentor and Canadian National Skeleton Team member Grace Dafoe to the school for the day. 

During the assembly, Bert Ambrose Elementary Principal Laurie Wright was also recognized for her leadership and dedication in integrating the Classroom Champions program into the school.

“Classroom Champions has made a remarkable difference in our schools by leveraging technology and the mentorship of world-class athletes to inspire our students,” Jarrod Bell, Director of Instruction at School District 60 said in a press release.

Dafoe, an experience and engagement specialist with Classroom Champions and Bert Ambrose Elementary School’s program mentor, attended the ceremony to motivate students to continue practising the skills they learned and to hand out awards to the students and Lee.

During the assembly, a video featuring messages from Lee’s fellow teachers and several students was played, highlighting the teacher’s dedication and commitment to students, the Classroom Champions program, and the school as a whole. 

Lee was surprised to attend the award ceremony she helped to organize. 

She was entirely unaware of her inclusion until the announcement video was played, despite the large number of students and faculty involved in its creation. 

“This was not supposed to be about me, this was supposed to be about Grace [Dafoe]. I’m not sure how everyone pulled this over on me,” Lee said following the announcement.

The school invited Lee’s family to the announcement, and while their presence alerted Lee that something was afoot, she was still in the dark until the presentation of the award. 

“I saw some of my family and asked, ‘What are they doing here?’” Lee said after the ceremony.

Lee was honoured to receive the award and looks forward to continuing her work with the school and the Classroom Champions program. 

Dafoe spent May 22nd at Bert Ambrose, visiting classrooms throughout the day and speaking to students one-on-one. 

Activities continued throughout the school day and into the evening as parents joined their children for a celebratory barbeque and Classroom Champions-themed activities led by Bert Ambrose students. 

Throughout School District 60, 38 classrooms participated in Classroom Champions throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

Bert Ambrose Elementary School had the most classes, and students participated in the program.