Sherry Maher of Petty Harbour was named a recipient of the 2025 Education Minister’s Award for Compassion in Teaching. Submitted photo
By Mark Squibb
Cowan Heights Elementary Principal Sherry Maher has been named a recipient of the 2025 Minister’s Award for Compassion in Teaching.
“It’s cheesy, but it’s an award in itself knowing that people around you see your efforts,” said the Petty Harbour native.
Maher said she was glad to be recognised, though she admits feeling a little embarrassed being thrust into the limelight.
Given her many years on the softball field, as a player first, and then as a coach and mentor, it’s not surprising that Maher likened a school staff to a softball team.
“It’s a team effort here,” said Maher. “I wouldn’t be able to do this without a great team… It’s like sports. Everyone has a role. It doesn’t matter if you’re a pitcher or a catcher or the MVP or the person on the bench cheering on your teammates. It’s the same with our staff at Cowan Heights.”
While Maher appreciated the letters of recommendation submitted by her peers, she was especially moved by the letters penned by students.
“Little things that students notice, like, ‘I really like how you greet me in the morning and ask about my day,’” said Maher. “They’re little things that we do automatically in this building. You don’t realize the impact it has on students until you read something like that… those things matter.”
The school also honoured Maher last week with an assembly recognising her achievement.
Other recipients of the 2025 Minister’s Award include Heather Cull-Tilley of St. Joseph’s Academy, Lamaline; Janice Spencer, Corner Brook Regional High; Luce Landry, École des Grands-Vents, St. John’s; Matthew Hillier, St. Teresa’s, St. John’s; Valerie Sheppard, Peacock Primary, Happy Valley-Goose Bay; and Aula Courage, Beachy Cove Elementary, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s.
Meanwhile, Angela O’Brien of Prince of Wales Collegiate in St. John’s and Sara Barry of Holy Trinity Elementary in Torbay were named recipients of the Premier’s Award for Innovation in Teaching.
“Most, if not all, educators aren’t doing it for the paycheck, and it’s certainly not for the long hours we put in, but it’s for the kids,” said Maher. “They’re the reason we work as hard as we do.”
