A recent UNBC grad from Williams Lake is a recipient of the BCTF’s Maxwell A. Cameron Memorial Award.
Marina Campsall, 27, completed her Bachelor of Education degree in Prince George in April, and said she received a phone call one night at 8 p.m. alerting her she would be given the award during her grad ceremonies at UNBC on May 25.
Each year the British Columbia Teacher’s Federation gives the award to one Bachelor of Education grad at each of the province’s approved teacher education programs.
Recipients of the award are students who are considered for the award by the dean of the Faculty of Education, and director of the division concerned, to be outstanding and have initiated, worked or participated in a project that created positive change globally or in their local community and or been actively involved in issues related to poverty, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, anti-racism, peace, global or environmental issues.
During her final teaching practicum, Campsall worked with teacher Caroline Chupa on a numeracy and literacy project for Statistics 12 and Social Studies 11.
Part of the project saw the students utilizing the concept of Second World War casualties and being encouraged to think outside the box on things such as Holocaust statistics for four of the major concentration camps.
After Campsall graduated from Williams Lake Secondary School in 2009, she attended the University of Victoria for three years studying theatre.
She transferred to Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops and completed a history degree, before attending the University of Northern B.C. for two years to complete her education degree.
“I subbed in Williams Lake after I finished on April 27 at UNBC, mostly at Columneetza and Williams Lake Secondary, and some at Cataline,” Campsall said, noting she will be moving to Fernie in the fall where she has a full-time position at the secondary school teaching drama and social studies.
Excited to be jumping into a full-time position so soon, Campsall said she saw the job posting and didn’t hesitate because the opportunity to teach drama was compelling.
“I am at a great kind of place in my life right now where I can just go,” she added.
In fact, on July 4 she was heading to New York for a 10-day trip to see as many Broadway shows as she could.
Campsall’s decision to pursue teaching came from her teaching parents — Al and Raeleen Campsall — and a natural ability to have fun with kids.
“I worked for the library’s summer reading program for two years and at Boitanio Park with the complex’s summer day camps for four years,” she recalled. “I think those experiences solidified it for me because I really enjoyed them.”
And after two months of subbing in Williams Lake she said she cannot imagine herself doing any other job.
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