Ms. Christine Hilliard, a teacher at Riverside Secondary, won the 2017 Women’s Influencers Award hosted by the Women’s Collaborative Hub on November 9. This award recognizes women that inspire, influence, encourage and mentor others in the Tri-Cities community.
The Woman’s Collaborative Hub is a networking support system for the empowerment of women in business, leadership roles, networking, and mentoring. The organization brings together women from the community to provide programs and resources to support their professional development. “They recognize the incredible work that women are doing in the Tri-Cities,” said Hilliard.
I felt very proud to be nominated. I truly didn’t think I was going to win. Being recognized for something that you do as your job is humbling.
– Christine Hilliard
Hilliard won the ‘exceptional educators’ award. According to wchwomeninfluencersawards.ca, the description of the award is “a woman who has the ability to inspire, promote, and sustain the intellectual, social-emotional & physical development of her students – be they children or adults of any age. She effectively and positively changes the direction of students’ lives.”
Hilliard said being nominated and receiving the award was a complete surprise. “I felt very proud to be nominated. I truly didn’t think I was going to win. Being recognized for something that you do as your job is humbling.”
Mr. Gary Horton, a teacher at Riverside Secondary, who nominated Hilliard for the award, said she deserved it. “When I was looking at the criteria for the award, and I saw ‘exceptional educator,’ I thought of Hilliard. She does so much outside of just her ‘doing her job,’ so I nominated her,” said Horton.
“I was recognized for the work that I do with different charities, organizations, and students with learning disabilities,” said Hilliard. “I feel incredibly proud and blessed to work with such compassionate, caring people who recognize the best in others. It makes me feel a part of a great school.”
Hilliard said that Riverside Secondary is an amazing school with wonderful people in it. “I think that the more that we can work together and be a positive mark in our community the better off we are,” she said.
Mr. Anthony Ciolfitto, the principal of Riverside Secondary, also commented on the purpose of such an award that recognizes women in the community. “The goal of the event was to connect women’s voices in our community and to create awareness of women who positively impact the lives of others. I am very happy that Christine has been recognized for her contributions in and out of the school.”
