New Westminster resident Paul Johansen was a co-winner of the George Matthews Award for Excellence in parent leadership at a gathering of parents from across the province on the weekend.
Johansen, a local parent and longtime school district critic, shared the award from the British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils with Bob Holmes from the Surrey school district.
"It's a real honour and a real privilege to be a part of that organization. They do a lot of good work," Johansen told The Record Monday morning.
The award honours parents whose leadership, dedication and influence have demonstrated to the education community the importance of the parent role in education, said a media release from the confederation.
George Matthews (1941-2001) was a supporter of parents in education during his years as a manager in field services for the Ministry of Education and liaison with confederation, the release said. His opinions and judgment were respected, and his fair-mindedness won him the confidence of the parent confederation membership, the release states. The award was created in memory of Matthews to honour his support of the parent confederation.
Wendy Harris, president of New Westminster's district parent advisory council, also established a key presence on the parent confederation on the weekend. She was elected secretary of the confederation's board of directors.
