The Dr. Sherrill Brown Award of Distinction recognizes the outstanding historical contributions of an educator and leader in Alberta’s early learning and child care community. This award was established to honour those who have demonstrated excellence, leadership and advocacy in early learning and child care over a significant period of time.
The AECEA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Lee Makovichuk is the 2025 recipient of this award.
Lee has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 AECEA Dr. Sherrill Brown Award of Distinction in recognition of her transformative and enduring contributions to Alberta’s early learning and child care (ELCC) field. A passionate educator, scholar, mentor, and advocate, Lee has dedicated over three decades to advancing the role and recognition of early childhood educators and deepening the pedagogical understanding of children’s learning through play.
As the principal author and a driving force behind Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework, Lee reshaped the provincial landscape by positioning educators as co-learners, co-researchers, and co-imaginers of possibilities. This vision turned the concept of curriculum into a living, relational, and responsive practice, rooted in children's rights, educator agency, and community-based knowledge.
Throughout her career, Lee has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in bridging theory with practice. Her commitment to collaborative, participatory research and her work securing funding for projects related to Flight illustrate not only her scholarly excellence but also her ability to anchor research in real-world classrooms. She has nurtured a professional ecosystem in which educators across Alberta see themselves as meaning makers and co-creators with children.
At MacEwan University, where she serves as an Associate Professor, Lee has mentored countless students and educators, instilling reflective practice and pedagogical tact. Her “Vivid Storying” approach and contributions to pedagogical documentation have inspired a generation to see children as mighty learners and citizens. In every role, from toddler educator to keynote speaker, Lee has upheld the professional image of the ELCC educator with grace, humility, and deep commitment.
Much like Dr. Sherrill Brown, whose legacy this award honours, Lee, has lit the way for others, quietly yet powerfully shaping the sector through inquiry, care, and imagination. Her impact will continue to be felt for years to come in classrooms, communities, and through the voices of the educators she has inspired.
Our sincere congratulations on behalf of the AECEA board, staff, members, and community. ELCC is better for the work you have offered.