I started this 10 years ago and have maintained it ever since. For the first seven years, it was something I primarily did on Twitter. Each award was shared as a single tweet using the #deanie hashtag. Since the demise and fragmentation of social media, I’ve shifted to a Youtube video to share my awards. You’ll notice this year’s award winners come from largely 2 places: My photos/memories of in-person events and my podcast. The other impact is how much less time I spent in the US in 2025. Before this year, my award winners were split between the US and Canada and a few overseas folks. This year, outside of a couple of exceptions, the focus is on Canada. Have a watch and you can see all the award winners listed below.
The 2025 winners:
Best Mug: Rachel Fruin
Matching Presenter: Adam Garry
Shortest Winter Walk: Kylie Hand
Best Trades and Tech Offerings: Mike McMann and Fort Vermillion School Division
Celebrity Crush Moment: Nora Young
We Finally Did: Kevin Kaardal
Best AI Parent Night: Krishna Burra and Limestone School Division
Presentation Audible: Alec Couros
Canadian Conference: CASSA and Reg Klaasen
Collaboration and Community: Zone 6 Alberta School Divisions and Sean Beaton, Tom Hamer, Scott Brandt
PD Location: Powell River, SD 47 and Paul McKenzie
Consistency and Service: Ian Landy
Best Scramble Partner: Terra-Lee Gratton, Keith Gamblin, Steve Schaar and Peter Barron
AI Focus Matt Henderson and Winnipeg School Division
AI Summit Amos Fodchuk, Katy Fodchuk, Yumna Ahmed, Jennifer Pineda, Christine Sachs and Darren Hudgins
AI Scavenger Hunt: Brent Jewell
New Co-Presenters: Tom D’Amico and Katie White
Old Man Music Lover: Jon Becker and Michelle Baldwin
The Old Joke: Bud Hunt
New Team of Facilitators: Tania Sterling, Whitney McKinley, Bill Corcoran and Michael Chechlie
Most Inspiring Conversation: Graeme Mitchell and Noah Pearmain
We Have to Have Another Episode: Sandra Herbst
Surprising Episode: Jason Bucherri
Same Guy, Different Lip-Sync: Steve Boutlier
Diamond Dogs” Award for Fictional Professional Development: Stephen Perchard and Ryan Kelley
Doodle in the Boardroom Award: Camille Williams Taylor
Superintendent Video: Mark Pearmain
Vulnerable Blog Post: Chris Kennedy
All of these winners are worth your while to seek out and learn from. See you next year.
What do you think? Add a comment below or start a conversation.