History isn’t just something you read about in books; it’s something to which we are all connected. That’s the core lesson of Erin Quinn’s Discovering Our Roots project, a hands-on, community-based initiative for which she is now receiving one of Canada’s most prestigious teaching honours.
Quinn, vice-principal at Parkdale School in Wetaskiwin, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching. The national award recognizes teachers who demonstrate excellence and innovation in teaching Canadian history—like Quinn, who developed the idea for Discovering Our Roots two years ago while teaching Grade 7 social studies.
“The curriculum on Canadian history covers all the way from precontact to the 1950s and mostly focuses on events in Eastern Canada,” said Quinn. “I was looking at that and thinking, where are the opportunities to connect this to my students?”
That question led her to take a “hyperlocal” approach. Quinn reached out to the Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum Centre and the City of Wetaskiwin Archives to explore a partnership that would allow students to investigate local history.
“The museum was really great about providing us with primary sources,” Quinn explained. “Students used those first-hand accounts to learn about what drew people to this area and the impact on the Indigenous people who lived here.”
As part of the project, students curated an exhibit for the museum, giving them the opportunity to share their learning with the broader community and deepening the connection between students and local history.
“In some cases, the people they were learning about were direct ancestors of students in my classroom. That connection made the learning feel real.”
The exhibit remains on display at the museum two years later, serving as a lasting reminder of the students’ work and its impact.
“They learned that history isn’t something you receive, but something you create,” Quinn said. “They learned that history is not neutral, that the stories we tell matter and that history happened here, where we live.”
Now in her first year as vice-principal, Quinn says the recognition affirms her long-standing commitment to learning that feels relevant and meaningful to students. The award includes a $2,500 prize for Quinn and $1,000 for Parkdale School, funds she hopes will support future opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.
“I’ve always wanted to make learning meaningful, connected and authentic,” said Quinn. “This just reinforces that drive.”
Administered by Canada’s History Society, the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching is presented annually to teachers and schools across the country. This year, eight teachers, including Quinn, representing six schools nationwide are being honoured.
Information on the award and the 2025 recipients is available at www.canadashistory.ca/awards/governor-general-s-history-awards.
