10 Jun ACDE congratulates Dr. Sharon Friesen

June 9, 2026

Congratulations to Dr. Sharon Friesen, Professor in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, who was the inaugural winner of the ACDE Award for Inspiring Educational Leadership.

The Award celebrates exceptional contributions to educational leadership and highlights the vital role that recipients play in shaping the future of education in Canada. ACDE President Dianne Gereluk presented the award to Dr. Friesen on June 1, 2026 during the annual conference of the Canadian Society of Education in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Dr. Friesen is a recognized leader in teaching, student supervision and mentorship and research who has, over her 25-year post-secondary career, developed lasting professional and community connections. Her dynamic body of research focuses on the advancement of knowledge on teacher professional learning, Indigenous education, mathematics education, instructional leadership, learning technologies, graduate supervision, mental health and wellness, and high school reform. Her current research addresses knowledge mobilization, student mental health, the use of mobile devices/social media in K-12, assessment, place-based learning, technology integration in teacher training, subject specific research (math, STEM education), and Indigenous integration and student learning.

ACDE offers its sincere congratulations to Dr. Friesen for this recognition.

ACDE extends thanks to Drs. Anabelle Viau-Guay (chair), Mathieu Lang, and Émir Delic who served on the adjudication committee for the award.