Allison Butcher has spent over two decades transforming the lives of children and families in the Sackville area through her learner-centred, play-based approach. And it\u2019s this commitment to her craft that has earned the local Playschool teacher a Prime Minister\u2019s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The award, presented during a ceremony in Ottawa last week, honours early childhood educators for their leadership, exemplary early childhood education practices and commitment to helping build the foundation children need to make the best possible start in life. Butcher was one of five recipients of this year\u2019s Early Childhood Education award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a Facebook post following the Dec. 10 ceremony, Butcher says \u201ctoday was definitely a highlight in my teaching career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Butcher, who believes a child’s early years are foundational for lifelong success, is a dedicated early childhood educator whose leadership has helped shape inclusive, empowering, and dynamic learning environments across New Brunswick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Awards were also presented in Teaching Excellence and Teaching Excellence in STEM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a social media post after the awards event, said \u201ctonight we recognised great Canadian teachers who are empowering the next generation with the skills, mentorship, and experiences they need to succeed. To the recipients of this year\u2019s Prime Minister\u2019s Teaching Awards: thank you for everything you do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton is calling on the provincial government to step up and publicly fund the shingles vaccine and join other provinces across the country in protecting their seniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeniors across New Brunswick continue to wait for a government that will fund the shingles vaccine,\u201d said Mitton in a members\u2019 statement in the Legislature earlier this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mitton said the shingles vaccine is an important immunization that remains completely unfunded by the provincial government, leaving seniors to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket or be unprotected from shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She explained that not only can the vaccine prevent shingles, studies have been showing it may even reduce the risk of Alzheimer\u2019s by up to 25 per cent. And at a time when over 12,000 New Brunswickers live with dementia \u2014 expected to rise to 22,000 by 2050 \u2014 \u201cthese remarkable findings make it even more essential to fund it publicly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPublicly funding the shingles vaccine for people aged 50 and over is a concrete step the Holt government can take to not only help the affordability but, more importantly, to improve the health of New Brunswickers and reduce pressure and costs in the health care system,\u201d Mitton concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mount Allison University\u2019s Extended Learning department is set to kick off a new course that will introduce students to the recognition and treatment of common sports injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n