Education News Fall2013/Winter2014 | Page 17

Faculty of Education Education News Fall 2013 / Winter 2014 Page 17

Former Faculty of Education Dean Receives University of Regina Distinguished Service Award

Dr . Michael Tymchak with his Distinguished Service Award and pin on December 9 , 2013
Former Faculty of Education Dean , Dr . Michael Tymchak

Born in Saskatchewan , Dr .

Michael Tymchak received a BA magna cum laude and High Honors in History from the University of Saskatchewan in 1964 and a Doctor of Philosophy [ Ethics ] from the University of Manchester in England in 1974 .
Dr . Tymchak started his career at the University of Regina in 1969 as an instructor in the Philosophy Department . In 1984 , he moved to the Faculty of Education to teach . Several years later , Dr . Tymchak served as the Dean of the Faculty of Education ( 1992 – 2000 ) and Acting Dean ( 2006 – 2008 ). However , his impact at the University of Regina was not limited to education students . He helped found
Photo by Don Hall photography the University ’ s first Teaching Development Centre in 1996 and served as the Director of the Saskatchewan Instructional Development and Research Unit ( SIDRU ). Dr . Tymchak also served as a research consultant for the Transdisciplinary Project that led to the development of interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Regina .
Outside the University of Regina , Dr . Tymchak has been involved in a variety of educational endeavors throughout the province for over 35 years . He wrote the Internship and Field Experiences Report for the Saskatchewan Teachers ’ Federation in 1988 , and was the Chair of the Working Group , studying the issue of School Councils for the Saskatchewan School Trustees Association in 1997 . Dr . Tymchak was also instrumental in the formation of the Northern Teacher Education Program [ NORTEP ], the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program [ SUNTEP ], and most recently the Nunavut Teacher Education Program in 2007 .
One of Dr . Tymchak ’ s most notable achievements was his appointment by the Minister of Education in 1999 to chair the SchoolPlus Task Force and Public Dialogue on the Role of the School . Following extensive consultations across the province with all the educational partners , Dr . Tymchak produced the Task Force ’ s final report in 2001 . This report helped craft the policy direction of provincial government concerning education , which is still in force today . The policy is based on the concept of schools as centres of learning , support and community for the children and families they serve .
For his outstanding work in the field of education , Dr . Tymchak was awarded a Canada 125 medal in 1992 , a Saskatchewan Centennial Medal in 2005 , and the 2008 Arbos Award from the Saskatchewan Teachers ’ Federation for his support of and contributions to the profession of teaching .
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