(Fort McMurray, AB - March 1st, 2023) During a dedication ceremony, Fort McMurray Public School Division (FMPSD) unveiled the Vincella Thompson Conference Room in honour of the late Vincella Thompson, a former FMPSD employee and community leader.
With nearly four decades of experience in education, Vincella provided a wealth of knowledge to FMPSD since her role as an elementary school teacher began in 1981. During her time with FMPSD, she taught at École Dickinsfield School and Timberlea Public School before taking on part-time duties at Greely Road Public. She also served as a Behaviour Consultant, Coordinator for Early Learning and was one of the co-founders behind Fort McMurray Christian School, which further speaks volumes about her dedication to students’ learning experiences.
Superintendent Annalee Nutter proudly paid tribute to Vincella, whose work went far beyond the walls of FMPSD and greatly impacted our entire community. As a symbol of gratitude for her unwavering commitment, Superintendent Nutter thought Black History Month was an ideal moment in which we could honour all that Vincella achieved.
“As a school division, we gathered ideas of how we could commemorate the important work Vincella did for the division and felt that Black History Month was the perfect time to highlight this. Vincella had a rare gift of connecting with people of all ages, cultures and walks of life; making them feel important in her presence. She listened to the stories and valued everyone’s ideas. When you were meeting or working with Vincella, you felt like a team member and that everyone had the ability to make change happen. She truly had an invincible attitude, making those around her feel the same way. We are proud to be able to honour her in this way.”
Vice-Chair Angela Adams praised the powerful legacy that Vincella has left behind, not only for those she taught but also for countless others which her activism and mentorship have deeply impacted.
“Vincella has been a very important part of our division, but she’s also been a significant part of many people’s lives. Thank you to Vincella’s family for sharing her with us; I know she put a lot of time and effort into what she did. She played a huge part not only in our division but also in Keyano College for teachers that are coming up to our division. She will be sadly missed. This room speaks Vincella. When you walk into it, it feels and looks wonderful.”
Echoing similar sentiments about Vincella’s strive to be a champion of inclusivity, the children of Vincella Thompson, Peter, Sarah and Jenny, celebrated with pride the ways in which FMPSD has commemorated their mother’s legacy.
“Our mother always sought out opportunities to invest in the lives of others through education, and she often did so using her talents as an educator and facilitator in many of the classrooms and boardrooms across the city. It is fitting that a boardroom where others will teach, collaborate, and invest in the potential of others is being named after her. Thank you for remembering and honouring our mother’s legacy.”
May Harvie, who worked alongside Vincella in the planning team for the Early Childhood Development Program, described Vincella’s dedication as a saving grace for families in difficult times; she was always eager to listen, advise and take the initiative when needed most.
“Vincella’s role was to work with parents and children in their homes, providing strategies and demonstrating how to manage behaviour and work with school staff in schools, preschools and daycares, all while providing strategies for the classroom on an ongoing basis. If she saw a gap or something that could be done better, she took the initiative. Many of the children who are now young adults are working and taking their place in society because of their strong beginning in education.”
Dr. Sandra Efu, Dean of University Studies, Career Programs and Academic Upgrading at Keyano College, spoke towards Vincella’s activism regarding mentoring people of colour. Vincella had been working with Keyano College since 2003 and was one of Dr. Efu’s predecessors and mentors as Dean.
“As we celebrate Black History Month, I want to recognize and acknowledge Vincella’s tireless effort to mentor and help numerous people of colour navigate the community’s complex social and cultural systems. Her efforts helped shape and propel many people of colour.
On behalf of Keyano College, on behalf of myself, and Dr Vincella’s family - thank you. Thank you for recognizing her. Thank you for keeping her memory alive.”
The room will be honoured with a plaque dedicating the space in her memory; additionally, FMPSD has created an annual Black History Month award, in dedication of Vincella, for staff and students committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout their school communities.
For additional information, contact:
Momin Syed
Communications Coordinator
Fort McMurray Public School Division
780-788-8009
communications@fmpsd.ab.ca