Call for Nominations - Class ACT and Hidden Hero Awards

It’s that time of year again!

We are looking for nominations for the Consortium’s Awards of Excellence:

• Certificate of Achievement in Critical Thinking (Class ACT Award)
• Karen LaRone Hidden Hero Award

Help us recognize and celebrate outstanding TC² Partners and Partner Members who demonstrate a deep commitment to nurturing critical thinking in their practice.  

Take a moment to review the award descriptions and criteria below, and submit a nomination for someone whose contributions and character deserve to be honoured.

🗓️ Nomination Deadline:  May 1, 2025

Certificate of Achievement in Critical Thinking
(Class ACT Award)

This award recognizes outstanding educators who have meaningfully integrated the TC² framework to foster and strengthen critical thinking among students and/or colleagues.

Nominees must be educators—such as classroom teachers, instructional coaches, consultants, school administrators, superintendents, or directors—who demonstrate excellence in the following areas:

• Integrating the TC² Approach – Embedding the four underlying principles of our framework into their practice to cultivate high-quality thinking
• Empowering Colleagues – Actively supporting and guiding other educators in using the TC² framework and resources
• Achieving Meaningful Results – Demonstrating clear evidence of strengthened critical thinking among students and/or colleagues

Nominate a worthy recipient for the Class ACT Award

Karen LaRone Hidden Hero Award

Karen LaRone was a kind, generous, dedicated, and insightful person. As the Consortium's first Director of Operations, she inspired quality and integrity through her perseverance and diplomacy—both at Alberta Education and through her gentle but unwavering leadership at TC².

While living with cancer, Karen embraced life with enthusiasm and joy, uplifting everyone around her. She was deeply honoured to be the first recipient of this award in 2013 and spoke about how much the recognition—and the opportunity to leave a lasting impact—meant to her.

Award Criteria
This award honours individuals who contribute to a positive learning environment by fostering and supporting high-quality thinking through their thoughtful actions.

Nominees may include students, educators, support staff, parents, or volunteers who, while modeling high-quality thinking, embody the following qualities:

• Selfless Dedication – Quietly working behind the scenes, enriching the lives of others without expecting recognition
• Inspiring Leadership – Uplifting and motivating others through their actions and character
• Unwavering Integrity – Demonstrating honesty, commitment, and a deep sense of service
• Exemplary Humility – Ordinary individuals who lead by example and make a lasting impact

Nominate a worthy recipient for the Karen LaRone Hidden Hero Award

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

Award recipients will be notified by May 31 and invited to attend the Consortium’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, where presentations will take place.  

📌 Please note: While the Karen LaRone Hidden Hero Award recognizes a wide range of individuals who embody TC²’s values, nominees for the Class ACT Award must be educators who have meaningfully integrated the TC² framework into their practice.

For more information about awards and past recipients or to nominate a worthy recipient, visit the Awards of Excellence page.

Thank you for helping us celebrate excellence within our TC² community!