Prince Albert Teachers Invited to Apply for Innovation Grants

Teachers in Prince Albert have the opportunity to apply for the Teacher Innovation Support Fund, with the next intake open until October 5, 2025. This initiative aims to support innovative projects across both school divisions in the region. Education leaders are optimistic about the potential impact of these grants.

Lorel Trumier, Director of Education for the Prince Albert Catholic Division, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities this fund provides. “We’re fortunate to have these opportunities for innovation, allowing teachers to implement some remarkable work within our system,” she stated. Teachers are encouraged to either re-apply for previously submitted projects or propose entirely new initiatives.

The fund, established in 2024, has already seen success. Notably, Simon Lambert from Ecole Holy Cross was among the first recipients, while Grade 7 teacher Caitlin Thalheimer from St. John Community School has recently secured a grant of $75,000. Trumier notified the board about this approval during their regular meeting on August 18, 2025.

Caitlin Thalheimer’s project will create a dedicated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Lab aimed at enhancing curriculum delivery and promoting experiential learning. According to Trumier, this initiative will engage students over the current school year and will be a valuable resource for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond. The project will also involve collaboration with other departments within the division, including facilities and IT.

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division has also benefited from this program. Their Director of Education, Neil Finch, highlighted the division’s recent approval for an Innovative Flexible Learning Space Project at Vincent Massey School during a board meeting. Additionally, they received approval for an Inclusive Land-Based Learning Space at John Diefenbaker School, with funding of $75,000 for the upcoming 2025 intake.

In a related matter, the board of education for the Prince Albert Catholic School Division received an update on the division’s transportation services. This review, presented during Monday’s meeting, focused on the compliance of their bus contractor, First Student. Trumier noted the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the bus company, stating, “We conduct necessary checks and balances to ensure that safety is a priority.”

The report, which covered data from February 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025, revealed that the average age of the buses is 13 years, transporting around 1,500 students. There were no routes cancelled due to mechanical issues; however, cancellations occurred due to weather and driver availability. The report indicated that First Student operates 34 vehicles for the division, with an average capacity utilization of 70 percent.

Overall, the Teacher Innovation Support Fund and the updates on transportation services reflect ongoing efforts to enhance educational experiences in Prince Albert, promising a positive impact on both students and faculty as they navigate the academic year ahead.