Literacy is a topic near and dear to Diane Hardy’s heart.

So, it was a pleasant surprise to win an award in her field of choice.

Diane, Program Coordinator in the English as a Second Language department, recently was named the Alberta winner of the Educator division of the Canada Post Community Literacy Awards. She was presented with the Canada Post Flight for Freedom Literacy Award on Saturday, September 6, at the Calgary Learns Literacy Fair.

Richard Tobin of Canada Post presented Bow Valley College’s Diane Hardy with the Canada Post Flight for Freedom Literacy Award.

The Canada Post awards were established 15 years ago to discover and acknowledge the achievements of Canadians who have made a special effort or an important contribution to literacy. Today, the program continues to celebrate the achievements of both adult learners and those who have helped them learn to read and write.

“There were a lot of really talented people nominated,” Diane said. “A part of this honour is rooted in the pride I have for the work I do every day. More than the personal satisfaction I gain from this recognition is the appreciation for the spotlight this award shines onto the importance of learning and, at its foundation, literacy.”

A Statistics Canada study recently revealed a one per cent rise in literacy skills in Canada would result in a 2.5 increase in labour productivity. Four in 10 Canadians do not have the literacy skills needed to function effectively in a knowledge-based economy.

Diane has been involved in coordinating programs, developing materials and teaching a variety of ESL classes at Bow Valley College. Currently, she coordinates a transitioning program for at-risk, young adult immigrants called Bridge and promotes a program framework that she co-developed which is being piloted at two other post-secondary institutions in Canada.

“The award reflects our commitment to literacy at Bow Valley College,” she said. “I appreciate the opportunities provided to me at Bow Valley College to create responsive programs, to research ESL literacy needs, and to develop curriculum. I also am grateful for the opportunities to work with the experts in this field.

“Beyond my individual success, I am supported by the convictions and dedication of many talented people at Bow Valley College. This recognition is a result of their hard work and the commitment of our learners who bring the belief in literacy and learning to life. They are the ones who exemplify that literacy and learning are transformative.”

A complete list of the Canada Post award winners can be found at http://www.canadapost.ca/AboutUs/Community/Literacy/Awards/Winners08.aspx

For more information on literacy, read more at Literacy Alberta’s website: http://www.literacyalberta.ca