Tłı̨chǫ superintendent recognized for ‘selfless dedication’

School superintendents across the Northwest Territories have recognized Shannon Barnett-Aikman for 17 years of leadership in northern education.

Barnett-Aikman, now chief executive of the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency, previously taught in Norman Wells and spent six years as the Tłı̨chǫ education director.

The territory’s association of superintendents named her the recipient of its annual distinguished service award on Wednesday.

“Shannon is respected … not only because she oversees the delivery and integration of health, social services, and education for her region, but because she maintains a healthy lifestyle while raising three young children, and does all of this with selfless dedication, endless positivity, and consistent effectiveness,” said South Slave superintendent Curtis Brown.

The superintendents’ association said Barnett-Aikman is “in the running” for this year’s national Superintendent of the Year award.

After teaching in London, England, she taught at Norman Wells’ Mackenzie Mountain School from 2002 to 2011 – as principal for the last six years.

She became Director of Education for the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency in 2012, then its chief executive last year.

The distinguished service award is for people who make “significant contributions to public education” in the NWT.