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Aurora College teacher receives distinguished services award

Aurora College instructor Susan Fitzky has received the Canadian Association of Social Work's Distinguished Service Award.

Fitzky has been a member of the college's social work program since 2012 and acknowledges the award as her biggest professional designation.

Susan Fitzky, right, was awarded with the Canadian Association of Social Work's Distinguished Service Award last Friday at the Aurora College North Slave Campus. Fitzky said receiving the award is her most significant professional designation. photo courtesy of Department of Health and Social Services

With her achievement Fitzky became the third Aurora College faculty member to receive the distinguished services award.

She said it speaks for the quality of education Aurora College is offering students.

"We are a small faculty who pride ourselves on supporting each student in our classes," said Fitzky.

"I think whenever you win an award like this, any employer will be happy with your performance."

Fitzky has a masters degree in social work and is currently researching the child-welfare aspect of reconciliation.

Fitzky added she has always been inclined to helping people understand the impact of social justice in Canadian society, with her main goal being to teach students the current best practices of reconciliation in the territory.

"Society needs to acknowledge reconciliation won't happen unless we work at it," said Fitzky.

"Coming from the south, I thought being up North would give me the best chance to work at transforming the issue of child welfare."

Fitzky said she notices her students are grasping the concepts she is providing.

"Any time you work with an individual on achieving goals you will find success," said Fitzky.

"I find when students walk across the stage it's a time where I've contributed the most."

 

Still work to be done

Although proud of her accomplishments as an instructor Fitzky said there is still work to be done to achieve her goal in ending child-welfare here in Yellowknife.

"We have a long ways to go to (improving) child-welfare in Canada," said Fitzky.

"However we are on the cusp of making great changes ... being proactive on the issue here in the north."

Fitzky said her willingness to practice social work came as a young woman growing up in Pleasant Grove, P.E.I. Fitzky added her rural roots gave her the desire to create the world she wants to live in.

Her accomplishment made her family proud, she said.

"All of my family back home was so proud they kept calling me and asking if they should come up to celebrate," added Fitzky.

"It's pretty extraordinary."