Tanya Coghill receives 2023 Community Matters Award

Tanya Coghill has been selected as the 2023 recipient for the Abbotsford Board of Education’s annual Community Matters Award. Coghill has been an active volunteer within Abbotsford schools for nearly two decades, first becoming involved in the public education system when her eldest child began kindergarten. Since then, she has been instrumental in supporting several parent advisory council (PAC) groups and offering volunteer support across elementary, middle and secondary schools.

"There are organizations and individuals throughout our district who volunteer their time to support our vision of providing a world-class, innovative, and individualized educational experience for every student," said Korky Neufeld, Chair for the Abbotsford Board of Education. "Tanya's long service and dedication to our schools and young people exemplify the commitment to student success that we share with our community."

Coghill was nominated by three different individuals over the course of two years who all discussed her significant contributions to student success through her involvement in DPAC and numerous school PACs. Individuals outlined her commitment to not only volunteering at school events and being a strong advocate for parents, but also her work on projects focused on gender equity and the experience of female students as they make their way through the educational system.  

"The past 17 years have been such an important part of my life," expressed Tanya Coghill. "I so appreciate that the students let me tag along on their educational journey, that the staff welcomed me into their inner circles, and that the parents allowed me, and the teams I was a part of, to represent them for so long. I set out to give joy to others by volunteering, but what I didn't expect was how much joy would be returned to me; a thousand times more than I could ever give! I would encourage anyone - whether they have children in the district or not - to consider getting involved and giving back to the community."

A total of five nominations were received for the 2023 Community Matters Award. The Board established the annual award in 2015 to formally recognize community partners who have made a significant contribution to the lives of students in the Abbotsford School District.

More information on past award recipients is available on the school district website: www.abbyschools.ca/community-matters-award.

MEDIA CONTACT
Kayla Stuckart / Manager, Communications
Ph: (604) 859 – 4891 ext. 1206
kayla.stuckart@abbyschools.ca