Surrey elementary school teacher receives Dyslexia Canada award
Published 12:00 pm Tuesday, October 13, 2026
According to a story posted by Surrey Schools, a learning support teacher (LST) at Maple Green Elementary named Penny Hill was honoured with a Dyslexia Canada Educational Excellence Award on Oct.6.
Hill was presented with this award at a school assembly by executive director of Dyslexia Canada, Alicia Smith.
Surrey Schools said the award recognizes educators who advance structured literacy instruction, universal screening and effective intervention, while also supporting colleagues through leadership and knowledge-sharing.
“This award is so well deserved,” said Michael Speak, principal at Maple Green Elementary, during the assembly. “Penny has spent her career making sure students with dyslexia are seen, understood and taught in ways that work for them. We are incredibly proud to have her at Maple Green.”
Surrey Schools explained that Hill’s path to this work began during her first year of teaching.
Surrey Schools says that Hill noticed that some of her students responded to her instruction while others did not. In 2003, she attended a workshop in California and learned about dyslexia.
“I remember crying,” she told Surrey Schools. “I thought to myself, ‘I can help these kids.’”
Hill began tutoring and brought what she had learned into her classroom, teaching all of her students if they were dyslexic, said Surrey Schools. Her focus was said to be on building what she calls metaphonological awareness.
Hill’s conclusion became the thesis of her master’s degree in special education, which she was said to have completed under Dr. Linda Siegel, an internationally known authority on learning disabilities.
Surrey Schools shared that screening for early reading difficulties began at Maple Green when Hill joined the team. Staff now screen students using Acadience and DIBELS.
Surrey Schools says that Hill began sharing her knowledge with colleagues, and former principal Jennifer Pilchak recognized her expertise and encouraged staff to attend lunch-and-learn sessions.
Hill’s influence has reached well beyond just Maple Green Elementary. According to Surrey Schools she has presented at conventions in Canada and abroad, guest lectured in university special education classes, led lunch-and-learns for colleagues and now mentors a cohort of LSTs.
She has also spent years sharing her views on early literacy with education leaders and decision-makers. “I have been knocking on the doors of those in control of policy for decades,” she said.
Hill told Surrey Schools that she sees the climate shifting. “I am encouraged that many more are thirsty for knowledge about dyslexia and how to ameliorate its effects.”
Surrey Schools and Maple Green Elementary thanked Hill at the assembly for everything she has done for the school and its community.
Learn more about Dyslexia at dyslexiacanada.org.