LAC LA BICHE - Recognized nationally for her work with early childhood learning — including a still-to-come — award presentation by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — a recent Portage College graduate said she was overwhelmed by the news.
"I was driving back from Edmonton, getting caught up on calls and emails when I got the message," says Jennifer Vardy, a 2019 graduate of the college's Early Learning and Childcare program who lives in the Fort McMurray area. "I pulled over and had a good cry on the side of the road."
The married mother of two is one of 20 recipients from across Canada of the 2020 Prime Minister's Award of Excellence in Early Learning and Childcare. Vardy is currently a supervisor at the Gregoire Lake Childcare Centre and Head Start on the Fort McMurray First Nation. She is also an integral part in the Nation's child and family support department. Her diploma from the Portage program is just one of the credentials in a vast list of accomplishments.
In 2015 Vardy was instrumental in bringing an Aboriginal Head Start program to the Fort McMurray First Nation. She also spearheaded the creation of an early learning coalition on the Nation, and has been front-and-centre in lobbying efforts for funding and awareness for wrap-around services for families and early learners. In 2018, the Treaty 8 Grand Chief appointed her as the representative on the federal Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Framework. She is currently enrolled at Athabsca University for a double major in Human Services and Psychology.
Despite her impressive resume and an enthusiasm for enhancing early learning, Vardy is quick to share the award and recognition with the community, staff and families around her.
"I share this with the community where I work, the chief and council, the families and of course the staff," she said. "This isn't about just one person."
Next?
Vardy continues to work in her community and across the county to bring awareness to the challenges and opportunities of healthy and wholesome early education. She says strong foundations from the home, family and community are vital to help youngsters get the start they need. Much of her future plans focus on those strong foundations — especially in remote communities and within Indigenous populations.
She says basic psychological needs are the foundation of human growth. Knowing right from wrong, learning empathy and value are foundations that need to be instilled in children from birth. After that they need love, safety,and a sense of belonging. With increased self-esteem, she says self actualization is the reachable goal.
"If we support our children in making sure they have those basic needs, everything else will come," she said, explaining that the fight to create that support is her driving principle.
Although the COVID crisis has postponed the official face-to-face meeting with the Prime Minister during a planned convention, and a virtual event has not yet been arranged, Vardy says news of the awards in 20 regions across the county has helped to draw attention to many aspects of early childhood learning.
"I think by just hearing about this, people are more inclined to have the conversations about it," she said.
At Portage College, Early Learning and Childcare and Educational Assistant Programs coordinator Patricia Flatla was pleased to see the one-time student receive the recognition.
We are extremely proud of Jennifer and thrilled that she has received this prestigious award. Her ability to respond to children and families in a caring and nurturing manner is commendable," said Flatla. "Jennifer's professional commitment to children and families is seen in the way she excelled in her studies at Portage College. Jennifer is a very creative, compassionate and hard working early childhood educator."
Vardy hopes more young people see the need to work with early education — keeping the circle connected.
“I am very excited to bring awareness for the need for quality educators among our youngest generation,” said Vardy. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the incredible program offered at Portage College.”
Although there has been no official word on when she may meet the Prime Minister, Vardy hopes next year's award ceremony will be held in person and that the 2020 recipients will be invited. Vardy was nominated by her peers in the community in early 2020.
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