Maureen Kehler, Program Manager at Decoda, has been honoured with the 2024 Council of the Federation Literacy Award (COFLA) for British Columbia. This award, presented annually by Canada’s Premiers, celebrates outstanding achievement, innovative practice, and excellence in literacy. Maureen received this award for her more than 20 years of contributions to literacy, supported by nominations from her peers in the literacy field.

In British Columbia, the award celebrates the achievements of a literacy organization or champion (including libraries) that helps Indigenous, workplace or community literacy learners in B.C. acquire the literacy skills they need to improve their lives. This includes Indigenous language, numerical, digital or other forms of literacy. The award is administered by the Public Libraries Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Nominations are assessed based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated excellence and innovative practices in literacy
• Responsiveness to community needs and relevance of their work
• Results that demonstrate the nominee has had a positive impact on people’s lives by helping them develop their literacy skills

“We are so proud of Maureen. She is so deserving of this honour,” said Sandra Lee, Decoda’s Executive Director. “She supports BC’s literacy practitioners daily and was instrumental in transitioning the Literacy Outreach Coordinator (LOC) network online during the pandemic. She develops big ideas for growth and improving literacy programs and advocacy, such as creating a provincial literacy strategy, grant writing to advancing civic literacy and developing evaluations to monitor the impact of community literacy programs. Currently, she is working with our web and database administrator and our training specialist to build a web-based portal as a repository of advice, activities and resources, and a forum for literacy practitioners. Her innovation and commitment make her a true literacy champion!”

Maureen will receive a Council of the Federation Literacy Award medallion, a certificate from the Premier, an honorarium and public recognition as part of her award.

Supporting BC’s literacy network

“I am very honoured to be nominated by my peers,” said Maureen. “I feel like I’m receiving this award on behalf of the literacy practitioners, who every day help people on their literacy journey.”

As a Decoda’s program manager, Maureen supports 100 Literacy Outreach Coordinators (LOCs) across BC. These LOCs work with their local organizations and schools to prioritize literacy needs and create programs. They rely on Maureen to provide them with guidance, resources and training.

“It’s all about relationship building through meetings, calls, emails, professional development and just listening,” she explained. “It’s important that we see them and their work and that they know that we see them. I see myself as a coach and a connection to resources and to other LOCs.”

Maureen says BC’s collaborative LOC model and literacy network are well-respected across Canada. She takes pride in the network, and Decoda’s model of a community-based approach to literacy.

“The beauty of community-based literacy programs is that they don’t have to be a formal course. Literacy organizations can adapt to meet learners where they are at. They can do drop-in sessions or receive one-on-one support to meet a specific need. It’s learner-centered and community-focused.”

Maureen’s history and accomplishments

Maureen has dedicated more than 20 years to advancing literacy in British Columbia. Her journey began at age 19 when she taught English in Taiwan. She home-schooled her four children for their first five years of education. Following that, she spent several years with Free Rein Associates as an adult literacy tutor and employment consultant. She also served as the Literacy Outreach Coordinator at New Page Human Services Society in Hope before joining Decoda in 2012 as Program Manager.

Her accomplishments include:

• 2013–2015: helping facilitate the Strengthening Rural Canada research program.
• 2015: co-authoring A Guidebook for Place-Based Approaches to Literacy and Essential Skills Development.
• 2012–present: leading the Raise-a-Reader campaign in partnership with Postmedia Network
• 2017–present: coordinating the Fostering Literacy program in 19 BC communities to provide one-on-one tutoring for vulnerable children and offer literacy support training for parents and caregivers.
• 2020–present: facilitating monthly Zoom meetings to support the literacy field during and after the pandemic
• 2024: developing a web-based portal with Decoda’s web and database administrator and Decoda’s training specialist to serve as hub for literacy practitioners.

Nomination highlights

Several BC literacy practitioners praised Maureen in their letters of support for her nomination. Here are some highlights!

“After being a CALP/ESLSAP Tutor, Maureen worked as a facilitator and case worker for our employment services and life-skills programs. In these roles, Maureen’s focus was on improving each and every client’s literacy. Every staff meeting, in fact, every chance she got, she would ensure that every staff member knew and understood that improving literacy was THE way to improving one’s employment prospects, and indeed, one’s life. So much so, that she earned the title of ‘Literacy Queen’.” – Christine Proulx, Director and Founder, Free Rein Associates

“Maureen challenges us to see literacy beyond simply reading, writing and arithmetic. She invites us to understand literacy broadly to include processing knowledge in technology, economics or social engagement. Her capacity to champion the values of literacy is evident as she calls us all to see that literacy is a powerful way to improve life. I know of no one who is more passionate and dedicated to helping community members understand the importance of functional literacy — for everyone — in order for that community to thrive.” – Kathy Ball, Literacy Outreach Coordinator, Literacy Matters Abbotsford

“Maureen is passionate about her work, her family and her community. She genuinely tries to make a difference in the world and in herself. I admire the work she has done in learning and reflecting to figure out her reconciliation path. She is kind, friendly, thoughtful, and humble, always putting others first. She inspires me and all LOCs to be better people and better literacy practitioners.” – Shanti Ang, Literacy Outreach Coordinator, READ Surrey/White Rock

“Maureen has helped hundreds of LOCs develop their literacy knowledge and skills. They, in turn, help their community members develop theirs. She has educated countless individuals through her direct literacy work, campaigns, meetings, public speaking engagements, and projects. She can speak to anyone at any time about the life-changing impacts of literacy and learning. She clearly articulates the responsibility that community members, businesses and governments have in helping to improve literacy outcomes across our province.” – Debbie Denault, Debbie Denault & Associates