News Archives: Governor General's Academic Medal Recipient 2016
Wednesday, October 19th, 2016
Christine Thiessen came to GPRC to turn her job into a lifelong career. The Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) program graduate accomplished that and graduated with the top marks in the college last year earning herself the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Academic Medal.
The Governor General’s Academic Medal is one of the most prestigious awards a student in a Canadian educational institution can receive. The Collegiate Bronze medal is awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall average upon graduation from a diploma-level, postsecondary program, with a minimum two-year, full-time duration. The award includes a cast-bronze medal and a certificate signed by the Governor General.
Christine Thiessen, born and raised in Grande Prairie, came to GPRC after graduating from Grande Prairie Composite High School.
“I took a year off right after high school, and starting working at Glory Garden Out-of-School Care,” she says. “I loved working in childcare, and I wanted to learn more about the field and how I could turn my current job into my future career.”
GPRC offered Thiessen the opportunity to study her new-found passion, while being able to stay close to home, and build on her already solid support-system.
“Coming to GPRC was perfect for me,” she says. “My family is in Grande Prairie, and one of my brothers attended college here, so I was familiar with the building, and from day one of my program, GPRC felt like home to me. The ELCC program is such a family, and I know, that even today, I could call any one of my classmates or my instructors and ask for help. That’s really comforting starting out in a new career.”
Thiessen always thought she’d leave Grande Prairie, but now is happily here to stay.
“After high school, I always thought I was going to move away from home, and maybe someday I still will, but for right now, I’m so happy here. There is so much opportunity in Grande Prairie, and being able to take my education here made for an easy transition into the work force.”
An integral part of the ELCC program is the practicum courses which are scheduled throughout the semesters. Practicum settings include child care centres, kindergarten classrooms and/or preschools and can be set up to be in the student’s home community if wished. In practicum, students put into practise the theory they have learned inside the classroom.
She is now employed at Stepping Stones Day Care in Grande Prairie, which is actually a practicum option for GPRC students.
“Practicums were a great way to transition into the workforce,” says Thiessen. “They were one of my favourite parts of the program and what’s really exciting is we are actually getting a current GPRC ELCC practicum student at the end of the month.”
Susan Bansgrove, Vice President of Academics and Research, presented Thiessen with her award on October 19, 2016.
“GPRC is very proud to present this medal to our graduate Christine Thiessen on behalf of the Governor General of Canada,” says Bansgrove. “Christine’s achievements are exemplary, to have accomplished top academic standing at GPRC. The entire College community extends its congratulations.”
