2026 Heroes in Education Honoured by Abbotsford Community
At the Abbotsford School District, we believe in celebrating the individuals who truly make a difference in our educational community. We are thrilled to announce that the Abbotsford News has published their annual edition honouring Abbotsford's Heroes in Education. These remarkable educators, selected through nominations from our community members, exemplify dedication and passion for nurturing the minds of our students.
Jan Koch, Learning Support Teacher from Abbotsford Senior Secondary School
A good teacher can make a world of difference for students, especially when they possess learning disabilities. That’s why Jan Koch has dedicated her nearly 40-year teaching career to helping those who struggle within the traditional education model. The Abbotsford Senior Secondary learning support teacher has spent decades getting learning disabled students to unlock their true potential through the school’s drop-in centre.
Ben Gruber, Crossing Guard from Clayburn Middle School
For more than a decade, Ben Gruber has been a smiling face waiting to greet the students at Clayburn Middle School each day. The 85-year-old has gathered quite a fan base during his time at the Abbotsford school, which all began when he found out his grandchildren’s school needed more supervisors.
Tawnie Hildebrandt, Helping Teacher from CORE
Math doesn’t have to be scary – and taking away some of that fear is the goal of Abbotsford School District numeracy helping teacher Tawnie Hidebrandt. After close to 15 years in the classroom, the Abbotsford Senior grad moved into the numeracy helping teacher role about eight years ago and it’s through her persistent work in that position that she earned a heroes in education nod.
For those unaware, helping teachers provide district-wide support to implement the curriculum. They lead training sessions and workshops, work with teachers in the classroom for mentorship support and work with staff on any issues related to how the curriculum works.