Scholarship Recipients

The Ontario College of Teachers’ Scholarship Program awards four $1,500 scholarships to exemplary students enrolled in a teacher education program in Ontario.

This direct financial assistance helps future teachers who have demonstrated courage, perseverance and excellence, while being dedicated to the highest standards of teaching.

Meet our 2026 scholarship recipients

The following recipients were selected to receive this year’s awards:

Cole King, OCT, Heather Cadigan, OCT, Aumama Al-Naib, Paige Zaldin.

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education

Aumama Al-Naib - Queen’s University

Aumama Al-Naib has always been drawn to the idea that education can open doors, build connections, and help students discover their potential. Having experienced the education systems in Germany, Canada, and Saudi Arabia, she gained an early appreciation for the many ways students learn and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. That perspective has shaped her work as a tutor, mentor, and community leader, where she has focused on helping learners build confidence, find their voice, and reach their goals.

Alongside her exceptional academic achievements, Aumama has demonstrated a strong commitment to accessibility, advocacy, and supporting others through meaningful educational experiences. She is described as an outstanding communicator and emerging leader whose curiosity, compassion, and dedication to service are already enriching the lives of those around her.

As her co-op supervising professor noted, “Ontario is fortunate to have someone with her intellect, work ethic, and interpersonal skills committed to improving the future of education.”

Brian P. McGowan Scholarship for Resilience

Cole King, OCT - Ontario Tech University

Cole King’s path to teaching is a story of resilience, perseverance, and purpose. Plagued by family instability, financial hardship, and personal challenges, Cole repeatedly overcame barriers while remaining committed to his educational goals. Through leadership roles in the Army Cadet Program, where he mentored more than 200 youth, and later as a tutor, teaching assistant, and teacher candidate, he discovered a passion for helping others succeed.

Cole’s experiences have shaped a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to creating learning environments where students feel seen, supported, and valued. One of his Associate Teachers explained, “What truly set Cole apart was his extraordinary connection with students. He [has] an instinctive read on the social and emotional dynamics of the classroom, knowing when to push a student further and when to offer quiet encouragement.” 

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship

Paige Zaldin - York University

Paige Zaldin’s journey to teaching has been shaped by a lifelong belief that every student deserves to feel seen, understood, and valued. Drawing on her own experiences navigating school with cerebral palsy, a visual processing disorder, and anxiety, she developed a deep appreciation for the power of inclusive and responsive education.

Through her work as a classroom instructor, tutor, mentor, and advocate, Paige has supported learners with a wide range of exceptionalities, helping students and families overcome barriers and achieve meaningful success. Her commitment to accessibility, individualized learning, and student advocacy reflects her belief that every learner can thrive when provided with the right supports. As a parent said, “Paige is not just helping [my child] learn, but she is helping him access his potential. That combination of empathy, adaptability, leadership, and advocacy is what makes her someone who [will] be an excellent teacher.”

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship

Heather Cadigan, OCT – Trent University

Heather Cadigan’s passion for teaching is rooted in her belief that every young person deserves someone who believes in them. After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a student, she experienced firsthand the difference that supportive educators can make and was inspired to pay that support forward.

While achieving an exceptional A+ GPA and earning numerous academic awards, Heather dedicated countless hours to mentoring youth, advocating for inclusive education, and helping students navigate challenges of their own. A standout achievement has been her work developing accommodation resources for students with Type 1 diabetes, which are now shared with pediatric diabetes clinics across Canada.

Through her leadership, mentorship, and teaching experiences, Heather has shown that meaningful education begins with empathy, advocacy, and a genuine belief in every student’s potential. One of her references described her as an empathetic leader, “who understands that teaching is not simply the transmission of knowledge but the cultivation of belonging, the development of identity, and the building of strong communities. Heather is not merely preparing to become a teacher — she is already embodying the profession's highest ideals in meaningful and lasting ways.”

Past recipients

2025

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Christine Clark

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Faduma Elmi

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Urooj Ahsan

Brian P. McGowan Scholarship for Resilience: Julia Havey

2024

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Elora Passafiume

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Prachi Tanwar

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Sarah Kaye

Brian P. McGowan Scholarship for Resilience: Lucas Aragao

2023

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Sanya Cardoza

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Tom Friesen

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Ana Kraljvecic

Brian P. McGowan Scholarship for Resilience: b Wrauley

2022

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Grace Rajballie

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Josée Lamoureux

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Kaitlyn Heasman

Brian P. McGowan Scholarship for Resilience: Shawn Dhaliwal

2021

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Mikayla Bornais

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Anthonia Ikemeh

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Joshua Mogyoros

Brian P. McGowan Scholarship for Resilience: Rachel Stymiest

2020

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Kai Butterfield

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Melena Hope

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Damon O'Shea

2019

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Mia Kakebeeke

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Fatima Ahmed

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Jordan Cascagnette

2018

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Taylor Crawford

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Sarah Salt

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Luke Sawczak

2017

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Devan Kernaghan

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Nicole Billington

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Kara Nagel

2016

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Krista Bradshaw

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Maria Sinclair

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Patrick Vaillancourt

2015

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Emily Runstedler

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Alexis de la Torre

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Nadine Wyczolkowski

2014

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Hélène Le françois

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Rosalind McCanny

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Stephanie Lum

2013

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Jennifer Cook

Ontario College of Teachers Primary/Junior or Junior/Intermediate Scholarship: Shyla Pogany

Ontario College of Teachers Intermediate/Senior Scholarship: Emma Dunn

2012

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Jennifer Parker

2011

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Courtney Leigh Edwards

2010

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Christopher Carswell

2009

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: William Snodgrass

2008

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Valerie Hathaway-Warner

2007

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Megan Hamilton Clifford

2006

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Ainsley Raeanne Latour

2005

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Gillian Lamoureux

2004

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Tracy Beck

2003

Joseph W. Atkinson Scholarship for Excellence in Teacher Education: Claire Button