Sarah Julius is the winner of the Faculty of Education's Most Valuable Student award for 2026 (FILE/University of Windsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
Sarah Julius is used to balancing a lot.
A recent graduate of the University of Windsor’s concurrent education program in psychology and early childhood education, Julius (BEd, BA, ECE ’26) crossed the stage in June to receive two degrees and a college diploma.
Completing what would normally be seven years of schooling in five years was a feat on its own, but Julius also balanced classes and practicum placements with research, volunteerism and service to the Faculty of Education, earning her the 2026 Retired Teachers of Ontario Most Valuable Student Award.
“Sarah loves what she does,” says her nominator, Faculty of Education professor Dr. Juliet Bushi.
“She is an outstanding student, leader and passionate teacher. She is a star with such a positive attitude.”
In her nomination, Bushi says she first encountered Julius at a WE-SPARK Health Institute conference in 2023, where Julius was presenting work on food insecurity in local schools. Bushi was impressed by Julius’s analytical skill, especially as an undergraduate among graduate students.
This food insecurity research, led by rresearchers at St. Clair College, saw Julius exploring school nutrition programs and their impact on student success.
“We were able to go into a school for four months and give a hot meal to students in that school,” explains Julius. In a serendipitous turn, she later returned to the same school for a teaching practicum placement.
“It was a full-circle moment,” she says. “I felt so many connections to the school. The students remembered me because not only was I providing lunches, I was teaching them about food literacy and healthy living. This research combined my love for teaching, research and truly serving the needs of the students.”
Bushi was so impressed by Julius that she hired her as a research assistant for a project working with children with disabilities and their parents.
“Any research pertaining to education is something I really want to get involved in,” says Julius. “We had families from Respite Services come in and work together with teacher candidates. I really enjoyed it.”
Bushi also praises Julius’s involvement on campus as an executive member of the Education Society and as a volunteer at Open House, engaging with prospective students and their families about the faculty.
“Throughout her time in the program, Sarah has consistently demonstrated a deep and sustained engagement with the faculty community,” writes Bushi in her nomination.
“She is an active and reliable member of the Education Student Association, where she contributes meaningfully to initiatives that enhance student life and foster a sense of belonging among peers. Her involvement is not merely participatory; she takes initiative, collaborates effectively and approaches her responsibilities with a strong sense of accountability.”
Bushi says Julius has helped shape an inclusive culture within the Faculty of Education, going above and beyond what is required and offering her time, energy and interpersonal and organizational skills to faculty endeavours.
Part of this is Julius’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, which she spearheaded in her roles in the Education Society, as well as in her research and teaching practice.
“Her peers respect her; her instructors trust her and the faculty benefits from her ongoing dedication,” Bushi writes.
“She embodies the spirit of this recognition and serves as a model for what it means to be an engaged and impactful member of the educational community.”
At the same time, Julius knows the importance of maintaining balance to avoid burnout. Throughout her schooling, she made an intentional effort to take on only what she could manage and give herself permission to dial back her involvement when needed.
“In my third year, I was more comfortable with my academics, so I decided to add Education Society,” she says. “Then a little bit of research, and in my fourth year a teaching assistant position.”
“I think it’s very important to make sure I keep myself busy and get involved, but also make sure I am keeping my cup full and at 100 per cent as well. I can’t give my best self if I have too much on my plate.”
Now that she has wrapped up her degrees, Julius is excited to get back into the classroom, both as a teacher and a learner. She has secured a supply role with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, where she went to school, and is already completing additional qualifications and starting her master’s degree in education.
Julius credits the support of her family, friends, professors and members of the Education Society for helping her achieve all that she has so far.
“I’m excited to see where the next chapter in my life takes me, and I’ll always cherish the moments I’ve had at the University of Windsor,” she says. “I feel like it has truly shaped me in becoming the young adult I want to be, and I know my younger self would definitely be proud and in awe of me.”
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Faculty of Education award winners:
Board of Governors Overall Dean’s Award: Olivia Marie Marsella
Board of Governors In-Course Medal: Olivia Marie Marsella
Faculty of Education Award: Giulia Vilardi (Primary/Junior), Ally Peddie (Intermediate/Senior)
Retired Teachers of Ontario Most Valuable Student Award: Sarah Julius
Melanie Jane Harrison Memorial Award for Aspiring Teachers: Sidney Patterson
Class of 2007 Hara Kim Memorial Award: Irena Wilson
Class of 2007 Melanie Givens Memorial Award: Lucas Vajko Siddall
Ralph S. Devereux Memorial Scholarship: Abbey Philbin
Régis Ronald Plante Memorial Award: Madison Hearn
Dr. Anthony N. Ezeife Mathematics and Indigenous Education Award: Madison Hearn
Dr. Geri Salinitri Scholarship in Education: Lucas Vajko Siddall
Lewis and Cornelia Fritz Scholarship in Education: Olivia Marie Marsella
Alice McLeod and Paul Colini Scottish Rite Windsor Learning Centre Award: Stephen Giza