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Prime Minister's Awards

Being a positive early influence is key, says award-winning Red Deer teacher

Oct 13, 2026 | 1:35 PM

Red Deer teacher Ashley Crosby has been named a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

The award is one of the nation’s most prestigious and goes to just 60 people annually.

Crosby, who teaches at Normandeau School, was selected from 221 nominees.

“I love teaching Pre-K because I have the privilege of being one of the very first teachers a child meets on their educational journey. My number one goal is to help every child fall in love with school and feel the comfort, safety, and belonging that comes from being surrounded by a team that truly cares about them,” Crosby said in an interview with rdnewsNOW.

“I want every child to know that they are loved, valued, understood, and supported in all aspects of their development. I believe that every child is unique, and it is my responsibility to look beyond what I see on the surface, recognize their individual needs, and find the strategies and supports that will help them succeed.”

Crosby added that sometimes, all a child needs is someone to believe in them.

She’s also never done what she does for the awards or recognition, she said.

“I do it because of the love I have for the children I am blessed to teach and the families who trust me to be a part of their child’s early learning journey. I am so passionate about what I do, and my greatest reward will always be knowing that I have made a difference in a child’s life,” stated Crosby.

“I want every child who walks through my classroom doors to feel loved, valued, supported, and capable of achieving anything they set their mind to. To be recognized for something that comes so naturally from my heart is incredibly special.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney shared in a media release his thoughts on education as a force for good.

“Education is one of the most powerful forces for transforming our country and shaping our shared future. Teachers are at the heart of that work, helping the next generation to learn, to lead and to build a stronger Canada,” Carney stated.

“I congratulate the 2026 award recipients and thank all educators for their dedication, their service and their contributions to Canada.”

These awards were created in 1994 and are adjudicated through a multi-stage review involving more than 100 volunteer evaluators.