The Fort McMurray Public School Division is honoring a former employee and community leader.

The division is naming its conference room after the late Vincella Thompson, a teacher and community champion who worked for nearly four decades with the FMPSD.

Thompson began her career with the district as an elementary school teacher in 1981.  During her time with the FMPSD, she taught at École Dickinsfield and Timberlea Public before taking on part-time duties at Greely Road Public. She also served as a Behaviour Consultant, Coordinator for Early Learning and was one of the co-founders behind Fort McMurray Christian School.

“As a school division, we gathered ideas of how we could commemorate the important work Vincella did for the division and felt that Black History Month was the perfect time to highlight this,” says Annalee Nutter, Superintendent of the FMPSD.

“Vincella had a rare gift of connecting with people of all ages, cultures, and walks of life; making them feel important in her presence.”

Dr. Sandra Efu, Dean of University Studies, Career Programs, and Academic Upgrading at Keyano College, says Thompson was an advocate and mentor to people of colour. Thompson had been working with Keyano College since 2003 and was one of Dr. Efu’s predecessors and mentors as Dean.

The room is being honoured with a plaque dedicating the space in her memory. FMPSD is also creating an annual Black History Month award in dedication to Thompson.