The Prime Minister's Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education... reigning recipient of 2025 Miranda Tanner & and past mentors. Outstanding women to be celebrated...

The Prime Minister's Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education is the highest honour for educators in Canada, recognizing outstanding elementary, secondary, and preschool educators for their achievements and innovative practices.

I had the privilege of starting my ECE career as a volunteer at Carrot Seed Preschool in Victoria, BC.
I was in grade 12 and had already been working as a daycare assistant for the past two summers. My wonderful mentor was Diane Bentley, a former recipient of the Prime Minister's Award of Excellence. 
Working under Diane was transformative in shaping who I would become as an educator later. Diane introduced me to the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the teachings of Loris Malaguzzi.
The Reggio philosophy was not as popular as it is today, and was widely unheard of amongst my other colleagues. Diane opened my eyes to nurturing beautiful, natural spaces and introduced me to the concept of "loose parts" and using the environment as the third teacher.
When I was a young educator, I made a Vision Board that I kept for many, many years inside the door of my closet. The board had many dreamy photos of dresses, diamonds, houses, and cars, but at the very top of that board, I wrote..."Winner of the Prime Minister's Award of Excellence".
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Kim Atkinson came into my world around 2010, and we worked together on many projects over the next decade, including:

 The University of Victoria on The Community Early Learning and Child Care Facilitator's Project: (2013)

ECEBC Conference, Pathways to Professionalism: Leadership in Practice: Building a culture of research and collaboration (2017) as Presenters in the afternoon workshop.

We co-wrote and published an article in the Journal of Childhood Studies (Vol. 42, No.4, Winter 2017)
"An Uncertain Tale: Alternative Conceptualizations of Pedagogical Leadership."

Kim also wrote the Early Learning Framework for BC.
We were so honoured to be one of the child care facilities chosen for the many photographs used in this new BC curriculum!
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Mentor, Colleague, and friend Kim Atkinson is the winner of the Prime Minister's Award of Excellence in 2008. Kim is also the writer of the early learning framework (ELF) curriculum for ECEs in British Columbia.

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2025 Winner of the Prime Minister's Award of Excellence in Early Childhood Education, my colleague and friend, Miranda Tanner.
What a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with Miranda at Lexie's Little Bears Child Care and to watch her success unfold! Miranda is currently a visionary director and nature advocate who works with a forest-based program for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children at Saplings Nature School. (Port Alberni, BC) Miranda will be accepting her award in December of this year!
​NOTHING makes me happier than seeing amazing women succeed and be celebrated! Miranda was bound to be a winner from the moment I met her! When you know, you know!
As an accomplished & accredited Forest-school educator, mother of two, and early childhood specialist, Miranda is a forever teacher and lover of LIFE!
Watching Miranda walk across that stage and be the first to receive her award under our new Prime Minister is something she will cherish forever!
CONGRATULATIONS, once again, to our very own, Vancouver Island Boss-babe, Miranda!
We will all be cheering you on!
Remember:
"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams!" Oprah.
Shine On, Miranda!
XXX

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Celebrating amazing women in early childhood education!
There are SO many others who I have had the privilege of working with over the past 3 decades...
Keep shining so BRIGHT, beautiful ladies! We are all learning and growing from you every day!
Shine On!
With gratitude,
Lexie