Terry-Lee Beaudry, UBC Alumni Builder Award

In the field of education, there are educators whose dedication and passion not only shape the minds of future generations but also pave the way for transformation within the school system.

On April 23, we will honour Terry-Lee Beaudry, BEd ’81, as she receives the 2024 UBC Alumni Builder Award.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award on behalf of the many colleagues at the District and university level who have had a hand in strengthening our current Central Okanagan Public Schools/Okanagan School of Education partnership and who remain committed to building reconciliation practices in education for the betterment of our children and communities,” says Beaudry.

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Beaudry’s inspiration for pursuing a career in education stemmed from her mother, Frances Rivard Klassen, a residential school survivor. Her mother’s experiences with the education system fueled Beaudry’s passion for ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and receive a quality education.

Beaudry has made (and continues to make) lasting marks on UBC, the Okanagan School of Education (OSE), and beyond. Beaudry began her career as a teacher in Central Okanagan Public Schools in 1981. Since then, she has been a Vice-Principal, Principal, Director of Instruction, Assistant Superintendent, and her current role is Deputy Superintendent. Her career as an educator exemplifies the essential foundation of trust and relationship-building required for fostering the productive advancement and welfare of the education system.

“I’m grateful for the privilege to collaborate with many teams of committed and talented educators, educational leaders, community members, and university faculty to transform learning in schools” she says. “There is always work to do, but I’ve witnessed profound growth in deepening student learning over the years.”

Her involvement with UBC began during her early days as a teacher, hosting candidates in her classroom. As a principal, she designed collaborative groupings of new teachers to work alongside colleagues in the District which has led to exceptional learning opportunities. In 2015, she was invited, by Dr. Susan Crichton, to participate in the re-imagining of the Teacher Education Program alongside faculty and local Indigenous Knowledge Holders. In 2017, she became an Adjunct Professor for UBC.

Her efforts have helped foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture, history, and traditions among aspiring educators, contributing to the ongoing process of truth and reconciliation in Canada.

In addition to her work with OSE, she has collaborated with organizations such as the British Columbia School Superintendents Association, BC Principals and Vice Principals and UBC to develop leadership programs for new administrators, with a focus on Indigenous leadership and system change. She is also a researcher partner in the School’s multi-year “Co-Curricular-Making: Honouring Indigenous Connections to Land, Culture and the Relational Self” – a SSHRC funded project led by Dr. Margaret Macintyre Latta.

In 2018, she was the recipient of the ABCDE Education Advocate of the Year – Outstanding Service to BC Public Education award, and the EdCAN Network National Award Winner for “Drastically Reducing Indigenous Student Dropout Rates.” She was also a finalist for the Premier Award – Indigenous Education in 2017.

Reflecting on her career and the journey that led her to this moment, Beaudry emphasizes the importance of collective action and community-building in education. She believes that true transformation occurs when educators come together in communities of practice to collaborate in the design of learning to meet the needs of each learner. Terry’s advice to aspiring teachers echoes this sentiment:

“As an aspiring educator, ask yourself if a career “with children at the center” fuels your heart – speaks to you.  Uphold the belief that “all children can learn” for your entire career. Build networks so you can engage in collaborative professionalism (for your entire career) to continue to improve your practice.  Dr. Joanne Archibald said it best:  “While the human mind is naturally focused on survival; a community-mind can be developed as a way to magnify the creativity of an individual mind and thus increase an individual’s overall potential.

Individually, we have limitations – but collectively, we can build empowering and life-changing learning experiences where equity is a reality and all students thrive, holistically.”

Congratulations Terry-Lee Beaudry!

About the Award

The Alumni Builder Awards recognize a cross-section of alumni representing both campuses who have significantly contributed to the university and enriched the lives of others, and in doing so, have supported alumni UBC’s mission of realizing the promise of a global community with a shared ambition for a better world and an exceptional UBC.

Learn more about the award and other recipients at alumni.ubc.ca.