Cambrian College Professor recognized by Prime Minister for volunteer work in early childhood education – March 5

 SUDBURY –   A long-time faculty member at Cambrian College has been recognized for her volunteer work in the field of early childhood education.

Emily Matheson was recently recognized by Prime Minister Mark Carney for serving as a regional evaluator for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

The award is presented annually to professionals working in early childhood education who demonstrate excellence in care, education, leadership, and commitment to young learners.

Matheson helped select the 2025 winners of the award and has been asked to resume those responsibilities again this year.

For her efforts, she received a letter of recognition from Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Matheson, who is also a Cambrian graduate, has dedicated decades to early childhood education, both in the classroom and mentoring the next generation of educators.

“As a proud graduate of Cambrian College, I am sincerely thankful for the opportunities and education it provided me four decades ago,” says Matheson. “I strive to pay that forward by inspiring current students to follow their goals and aspirations. When I share this experience with our ECE students, it is my hope it reinforces for them that dedication and excellence in early childhood education truly matter.”

Matheson’s connection to the Prime Minister’s Awards program extends beyond this year’s honour. In 2023, she also served as a regional evaluator for the awards. During that experience, she had the opportunity to have her photo taken with the Prime Minister of the time, a moment that carried deep personal meaning.

“The day my photo with the Prime Minister was published in the media in 2023, my 96-year-old uncle, who immigrated to Canada from Italy in the early 1950s with just a small suitcase, called me and was beyond thrilled that his niece had met and taken a photo with the Prime Minister of Canada,” recalls Matheson. “This is a moment I will cherish. As the child of immigrant parents, this opportunity holds deep personal significance for me, in addition to its professional importance.”

Cambrian College offers Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education – Alternate Delivery for workers already in the profession, allowing them to learn while they work.

For details, visit https://cambriancollege.ca/programs.