Teaching excellence in Pembina Trails

Pembina Trails has amazing teachers across the school division and three of them from Pembina Trails Collegiate have recently been recognized for their work.

“We are deeply grateful for our staff, who not only deliver exceptional academic support but also provide the social and emotional care our students need. Many give their time beyond the school day to coach, advise and lead extracurriculars,” says Jacqui Kroeker, Principal at PTC. “This year, we’re proud to celebrate Chelsea Allen, Maclane Cardinal and Allison Moore.”

Chelsea Allen– 2025 Faculty of Education Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award

Ms. Allen teaches Grade 9 Interdisciplinary at PTC and was nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award by the family of former students. One of their children had won the Habitat for Humanity “Meaning of Home” contest under Allen’s tutelage. Allen’s colleague and friend Darlene Nguyen helped with the application process.

“Receiving this award means so much to me because it recognizes the heart of my work: building safe, inclusive classrooms where students feel empowered to take risks, share their voices and grow through curiosity and connection,” says Allen. “I believe deeply that learning is a shared process, and I always say that my students teach me just as much as I teach them. Every day, they challenge me to see the world through new perspectives, to listen more deeply, and to keep evolving as both a teacher, a learner, and as a human being.”  She says that although the award carries her name, the memories, lessons and joy her students have given her are the greatest rewards of all.

Allen has worked on a variety of special projects throughout her career at Pembina Trails. She was involved with the student led group who initiated the renaming of Ryerson Elementary School to Prairie Sunrise School. The previously mentioned national Meaning of Home contest was also a career highlight which led to a $40,000 donation to Winnipeg’s local Habitat for Humanity. Allen says other highlights include her work with newcomer and refugee families to create safe and welcoming school environment, her former role as the coordinator for the Ignite 3 summer learning program and as the Equity and Social Justice Chair for the Pembina Trails Teachers’ Association, and her ongoing passion for hands-on, engaging learning experiences across multiple subject areas.

Maclane Cardinal – Guiding the Journey Indigenous Teacher Award (Indspire)

Mr. Cardinal is the Indigenous Studies and Theatre Arts Teacher at PTC. He says he feels incredibly humbled and honoured to receive the Guiding the Journey Indigenous Teacher Award from Indspire.

“I look up to Indspire as a national leader in Indigenous education, and to be recognized by them is beyond words,” says Cardinal. “I was nominated and supported by colleagues, advisors and mentors who have supported and guided my work since the beginning of my career.”

Cardinal says his work in education has centered on researching the efforts and impacts that build and sustain educational hospitality for Indigenous students in public education, incorporating authentic land-based education across subject areas, and teaching non-Indigenous students Indigenous history from a place-based, land-based and strength-based lens.

“Recently, I have had my writing published in various education journals around Canada and have been invited to speak at numerous events and conferences across turtle island,” says Cardinal. He will be featured at the upcoming National Gathering for Indigenous Education, presenting his work "Land as Teacher, Community as Classroom" in November. 

Allison Moore – Rita L.Irwin Award for Art Teacher Dissemination of Knowledge, 2025

As the Art Specialist at PTC, Allison Moore is passionate about sharing her love of art with anyone who is interested. She feels greatly honoured to receive the Rita L. Irwin Award for Art Teacher Dissemination of Knowledge.

“Rita Irwin, an art education professor from UBC, has been a significant influence on my work,” says Moore. “Her research on art teacher identity and, in particular, the arts-based research framework A/R/Tography informed my master’s thesis a number of years ago.”

Moore has written several articles for Canadian Art Teacher magazine and attended their conferences where last year she received the Provincial Affiliate Award for Manitoba. Her most recent article, “Middle School Musings” appears in the 20th anniversary edition of Canadian Art Teacher along with paintings and poetry connected to learning during the pandemic. You can find it on page 60 at this link: Canadian Art Teacher – Published Issues

“Teacher posture and identity continue to draw my attention as I navigate the spaces between being an artist and being a teacher,” says Moore. “I reflect on how we, as artists, nourish our own practices and how we can open and extend that creative space to our students—especially while working within institutions that often move under the weight of many regulations.”

Congratulations to Allison, Maclane and Chelsea – great examples of the excellence in teaching found in Pembina Trails.