Teacher returns to school at VIU

Life-long learning keeps a person young in heart, mind and spirit.

So says Barbara McLaughlin, Vancouver Island University’s first recipient of a Governor General’s Gold Medal for academic achievement.

McLaughlin graduated recently from VIU’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program with a perfect grade point average of 10.

“I can’t say enough about the program, the faculty and the amazing cohort of students I had the pleasure to study with,” said McLaughlin.

As a mature learner, McLaughlin decided to pursue her Master degree while working as an English and Learning Support teacher for the Parksville/Qualicum school district.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “I’ve worked with a lot of young, talented student teachers from VIU’s Education program, and I’ve admired them. When I heard a Master of Education would be offered locally, I jumped at the chance to return to school.”

VIU’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership began at the Nanaimo campus in September 2008. The two-year program, delivered part-time, allows teachers to enhance their practice with a clear focus on the BC context and engage in active research of importance to themselves, their students, and their schools.

The program consists of eight courses (five credits each) including Foundations of Educational Leadership, Research in Education, Leadership in the BC context, Leadership Values and Ethical Decision-making, Educational Change and Supervision for Learning.


Classes are held Friday evenings, Saturdays and during the summer session at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. Some coursework is online and graduate students work in learning teams in their home school districts.

It’s the first program of its kind offered in the mid-Vancouver Island or north Island region by a local post-secondary institution, according to Dr. Harry Janzen, VIU’s Dean, Faculty of Education.

“Many American universities have offered Educational Leadership degrees, but these programs are not embedded enough within the BC context,” said Janzen. “Vancouver Island school districts had been asking for a made-in BC program for years.

“This program will help address the expected shortage of school principals and vice-principals in BC. The Ministry of Education predicts 1,400 vacancies over the next five years.”

McLaughlin was pleasantly surprised by the degree of camaraderie among classmates. “Everyone worked so hard and supported each other,” she said. “We became friends. There were five babies born during our program. When I had to go to Vancouver for four months to be with my husband during his serious illness, I couldn’t believe the support and encouragement from my classmates. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.”

McLaughlin is not the only VIU graduate to receive accolades for top academic achievement.

The Governor General Silver Medal went to VIU’s Laura Buzzard who received the highest academic standing upon graduation from a full-time Bachelor degree program. Buzzard graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Liberal Studies and Minor in Women’s Studies in June with a grade point average of 9.79.

VIU graduate Kuan-Jian Foo received the Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal for highest academic standing upon graduation from a full time post-secondary diploma program. Foo graduated in June from the Green Building & Renewable Energy program with a GPA of 9.86.

Culinary Arts graduate Debbie Thompson received the Lieutenant Governor General’s Silver Medal. This award is available to students enrolled in a one-year certificate program who excel in their studies and make a positive contribution to the community.