2025 Wall of Honour

A leader in Saskatchewan PreK-12 education, Dr. Valerie Harper (EdD) describes her life as a series of obstacles, happenstance, and opportunities. Along the journey, she has earned three degrees from the College of Education, including her Doctor of Education last November. For her dissertation, she chronicled her journey in an auto-ethnography otitâcimowin (her story). Using an autoethnographic research approach, Valerie drew on her life experience to connect to current inequities Indigenous students are facing. Her research focused on why Indigenous dropout and low graduation rates have not improved in the 21st century and how education systems contribute to the disparity gap in First Nations education. 

A member of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, Valerie and her family were part of the forced migration of Indigenous families from reserves to urban centres after Section 12 (1) (b) of the 1876 Indian Act stripped her mother from her inherent Treaty rights for marrying an enfranchised First Nation soldier, Valerie's father. Poverty, marginalization and racism were regular experiences for many. She was impacted by those circumstances, and like many young Indigenous people of her generation, her school experience was in a space of colonization, discrimination, racism and indifference.  

Valerie struggled in school, failing grade four and later being advised by teachers that she would not earn an education level higher than grade 10. At age 15, she dropped out of school. 

Although Valerie’s elementary school experience was difficult, a bright spot was the teacher she had in grade seven. This experience and feeling of inclusion would be a foundational philosophy for her teaching, parenting and research.

“I absolutely loved grade seven because I had a teacher that was supportive. He constantly praised and encouraged me. I was never interested in science, but because of how he taught and worked with us, I felt like I belonged in his classroom,” shared Valerie in an interview about her Doctor of Education research. 

Later on, when Valerie’s four children started attending school, she realized she needed to be a role model to teach the importance of education.

“I wanted to make sure that my family unit was always strong and maintained. My husband and I worked hard on that,” she said. 

These factors resulted in her decision to go back to school to complete the General Educational Development (GED) tests. After receiving her GED, she eventually took on a position as a one of the first Indigenous teacher associates hired in Saskatoon’s newly incorporated community schools. Success in this role led her to enroll in ITEP, where she completed her Bachelor of Education degree in 1985. She began her teaching career at Princess Alexandra Community School where she had been a teacher associate four years earlier. 

In 1999, Valerie completed her Master of Education in Educational Administration and became the second Indigenous administrator appointed within Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS). Following retirement from SPS in 2007, she started a thirteen-year career as director of education with the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), retiring from that role in December 2020. In this role, she worked to strengthen educational outcomes in seven First Nation schools through her leadership. STC was one of the first tribal councils to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to secure education partnership funding to support the transition of students from elementary to high school. Valerie also secured funding to initiate community research and curriculum development to incorporate community knowledge and traditions into First Nations schools as part of school curriculum decolonization.

Throughout her career, Valerie has been instrumental in advocating for programs which helped schools become culturally sustaining places for Indigenous and other marginalized youth. These included creating school breakfast and lunch programs, organizing school-community liaison programs and promoting the beginnings of what is now termed “culturally responsive curriculum”, including incorporating Indigenous perspectives into classroom content and facilitating the presence of Elders within schools. 

"I could not have gotten to where I am today without the love, support, and encouragement of my beloved family, nor without the love, guidance and mentorship of friends and educational colleagues and leaders who have influenced me, one way or the other, to consider educational leadership as a career," shared Valerie during the Wall of Honour ceremony on January 31. 

"Most importantly, I have been blessed to have served many students and parents throughout the course of my career, many of whom were from Indigenous or marginalized backgrounds. Earning their trust was a priority in creating caring learning environments as was ensuring all the students I served received quality and equitable education," Valerie said. 

Valerie points to her undeniable faith in God, Creator of all living things, as her saviour and grace in bringing her to a place of joyful celebration in love and life, and confidence in her academic accomplishments. Family also plays an important role and inspiration for her. 

"I have come to understand and believe that my path in leadership was determined long before I was born because I now know and understand that blood memory from my grandmother and grandfather warriors runs through my veins," said Valerie. "It was their shoulders I stood on and continue to stand on when self-doubt pops into my head or my motivation begins to fade. Their leadership, resiliency and determination for peace and equity in life have been driving forces in my personal journey and especially in my advocacy for improved Indigenous education outcomes."

Dr. Davin Hildebrand (EdD) received his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2005 and has been working with the Northwest School Division in Meadow Lake in a variety of capacities ever since. His roles in education include teacher, vice principal, principal, Superintendent of Human Resources, and Deputy Director of Education.

He has shown commitment to his education, earning his Master of Education in 2010 and his Doctor of Education in 2013; both from the University of Calgary; as well as his Master’s Certificate in Human Resource Management in 2015. Davin was hired as a superintendent and received his doctorate at the age of 30. He currently holds his chartered professionals in Human Resources designation.

Davin has used his skills and experience in education to serve students and teach broadly. He has taught undergraduate courses as well as master and doctorate level classes for over a decade in the areas of research administration, foundations and curriculum.

Davin is dedicated to serving the local community-based cohorts that support the development of teachers and teaching in Northern Saskatchewan. He has taught Master of Education classes to cohorts in Onion Lake, La Ronge, Prince Albert and Meadow Lake while supporting the Bachelor of Education classes in both Meadow Lake and Beauval. Davin has supported programming at Gabriel Dumont Institute and has taught with the University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, and the University of Alberta. He continues to welcome opportunities to stay connected to higher education through professional development, committee work and research.

In addition to his professional and academic pursuits, Davin is committed to volunteerism and improving his community. He is currently the co-chair of the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games taking place in Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation. The event will bring together over 1,800 athletes and is the first time the event has been co-hosted by a city and a First Nation.

Davin currently sits on the Provincial Leadership Team with Following Their Voices, a program aimed to support the accelerated learning of First Nation, Metis and Inuit students in Saskatchewan. He also serves as the Saskatchewan League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents representative for the Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course coordinated by the Saskatchewan Educational Leadership Unit in the College of Education’s Department of Educational Administration.

“I know there are people in this room who have accomplished more in the last year than I think I have in the last ten. This [evening] is such a welcomed opportunity to say thank you to the [people in the] college for everything you’ve done for me,” said Davin when addressing the crowd gathered for the 2024-25 Academic Awards and Wall of Honour Celebration held January 31 in Convocation Hall.

“I’ve been reflecting over the last little bit about the college, my time here, and the people who’ve been part of my experience along the way and I’ve noticed that three words seem to [come up over again] everywhere: inspired, connected and educated. And, connected, is the one that stands out for me today,” Davin shared. 

Throughout his career in education and time in Meadow Lake, Davin has consistently aimed for strong connections and service to the broader education community in Northern Saskatchewan.

Geraldine Knudsen has combined her background in teaching with a deep passion for the law and a career dedicated to public education. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in 1974, a Professional “A” Teaching certificate in 1976, a Bachelor of Laws in 1980 and a Bachelor of Education in 1989, all from the University of Saskatchewan. Her working career started in Prince Albert as an educational assistant, followed by teaching jobs in Prince Albert and Grenfell after completing her teaching certificate.

In 1995, Geraldine began a 27-year career as a solicitor with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA). In this role she provided advice to boards of education and their staff on various legal issues. Throughout her career she developed professional learning series and worked collaboratively with other educational partners in the development of presentations and modules to provide continuing education on legal matters affecting schools. Geraldine often offered joint educational sessions involving members of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and Ministry of Education staff. Another significant collaboration was with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to present provincial information sessions. Geraldine was a regular and valued keynote speaker at the College of Education’s Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course.

Throughout her long career, Geraldine was committed to providing school division leaders and trustees around the province with the information they needed to ensure that students were attending schools that were safe, caring, and accepting places to learn and grow.  She prioritized education through the development of a website and resources that provided information and training in the areas of privacy and access. Geraldine collaborated with the Saskatchewan Association of School Business Officials (SASBO) to provide the legal components of the Record Retention Guide, and she worked with the STF to develop an Accommodations Guide for central office human resources personnel and teachers to use when accommodations are required. Geraldine was an advocate for the development of Community Threat Assessment protocols in the province and demonstrated her support by completing Violence Threat Risk Assessment training.

“It’s been my privilege to be able to use both [my education and law] degrees in my work. In particular, in my work with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, I have worked with some of the finest educators in the province of Saskatchewan,” shared Geraldine in her Wall of Honour acceptance speech.

“This work involved giving advice and advocacy. And it also involved education, about the law, why it works and how it works,” Geraldine added. “In this time where truth and the rule of law sometime appear to be in jeopardy, I believe it is very important for educators to understand and apply the law, both in the workplace and in the classroom.”

“Concepts such as equity and human rights need to honoured and preserved,” said Geraldine.

Upon her retirement in 2022, Geraldine received the SSBA Life Member award and an honorary life membership from SASBO in recognition of her valuable contributions to education. Beyond her professional and academic achievements, Geraldine is deeply admired by peers and colleagues for her mentorship and teamwork. Her advocacy for education as a public good is inspiring.

She exemplifies excellence not only in her profession, but also in her unwavering commitment to making the sector stronger through her legal expertise and educational efforts.

Patrica Prowse is a widely known, respected and valued member of the education sector in Saskatchewan. She holds a Bachelor of Education (’80), Bachelor of Arts (’06) and Master of Education (’90) in Educational Administration from the University of Saskatchewan. Patricia dedicated 35 years to PreK - Grade 12 education as an elementary teacher, school-based leader, superintendent of education, and executive coach. 

“When I played school as a five-year old, and [later] as a teacher candidate in the College of Education, I could not have envisioned such a fulfilling career,” shared Patricia at the Wall of Honour Celebration on January 31.

In October 2013, the Minister of Education appointed her to the independent role of Student First Advisor alongside the Honourable Mr. Russell Mirasty. As Student First Co-Advisor, she supported a province-wide engagement process that gathered feedback from students, parents, caregivers, teachers and the broader education sector on how to improve the Saskatchewan education system by putting the student at the forefront of decisions.  The engagement involved 994 participants in face-to-face meetings and 1,532 submissions were received through the Student First online engagement tool.

Most recently, Patricia held the position of associate director of the Saskatchewan Educational Leadership Unit in the College of Education from 2015-2021, and, has provided consultative services for the unit since her retirement in 2021.  

“Education is a collaborative event, and extraordinary things can be accomplished when we put the student first and work tirelessly to develop positive relationships that enable life changing outcomes,” she said when reflecting on her 40-plus year career.

Patricia has been presented with international, national, and provincial awards for her leadership in the areas of emergency planning; safe, caring, and accepting schools; and Indigenous education. She received the Saskatchewan Schools Boards Association Award for the Distinguished Administrator of the Year in 2003 and the Canadian Association of Principals’ Distinguished Principal of the Year Award in 2004. In 2013, she was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction Leadership and Management Award and the Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services’ Shield for Community Service. In 2015, the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation presented Patricia with the Arbos Award for Distinguished Support of Education and the Teaching Profession, as well as a recognized her with a STF Honorary Life Membership. In 2016, Patricia was the recipient of the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Public Service (Honourable Mention) as she was a member of the Inter-Ministry Response Team to the school tragedy in La Loche. In 2021, Patricia received Myeloma Canada’s Community Achievement Award for her volunteer service, and, in 2022, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Family is of primary importance to Patricia. She is grateful for her wonderful son, Lance, her amazing daughter-in-law Samantha, and her three incredible grandsons-Jacob, Nash, and Krew. 

Patricia gave the following advice to the student award recipients gathered in the audience on January 31:

“Decisions that you make every day as teacher are part of your 30-year story. It’s unlikely that you will pause very often to reflect on your story, since teaching is so demanding,” she shared. “But I can assure you, legacies are not optional. Give your profession your best, and remember to take care of your own wellness and keep a balance with your life outside your school.”

Article originally published at https://education.usask.ca