The teacher that leads Saskatoon Public Schools’ iGen program is one of three educator finalists for a Canadian Living ME to WE Award.

Keri Albert played a leadership role in the creation of the intergenerational classroom program as part of a partnership with Sherbrooke Community Centre. École College Park School is the home school for the program and students receive a portion of their program at the school.

The goal of the ME to WE awards is to recognize “a change-maker” who has inspired others by their contributions to their communities and the world. Three finalists are selected in the categories of Educator, Youth in Action (13-17), Youth in Action (12 and under), In the Community, Social Action and Free The Children Youth (13-18).

Online voting for each of the categories takes place between April 27 and May 13 on the ME to WE website. Winners receive a $1,000 contribution to a charity of the recipient’s choice, along with recognition in Canadian Living magazine and metowe.com.

“Keri Albert is committed to creating a learning environment that cultivates empathy, bridges generations, and seeks to broaden the concept of "school" from the classroom into the world of human relationships,” reads her nomination biography. “Since its inception, the iGen program has had a profoundly positive impact both on residents at Sherbrooke and on students, who are gaining lifelong skills that range from inclusivity and acceptance to empathy.”

The iGen program is the only one of its kind in Saskatchewan. It sees students from throughout the city spend a full school year at Sherbrooke Community Centre where they learn through place-based education—the entire Sherbrooke facility and the broader community is their classroom and their learning takes place throughout the centre.

The goal of iGen is to create a life-changing intergenerational learning experience where relationships are fostered, kindness, critical thinking and life-long learning are encouraged, and future community leaders are empowered.

Elders share life experiences and wisdom and receive the opportunity to work with students as mentors and teachers, while students bring new energy and ideas to share with people living in the Sherbrooke community. There is a mutual sharing of values and the two generations serve and support one another during the learning process.