Richard Bilkszto Scholarship and Award

Please carefully review the criteria below. All applications are due by 11:59 pm EDT on March 15, 2025.

Eligibility

  • To be eligible for the $1,000 Richard Bilkszto Scholarship, the applicant will have to be entering into the first year of a Bachelor of Education program (B.Ed.) at a recognized Ontario post-secondary institution in the calendar year in which the applicant applies.

  • To be eligible for the $500 Richard Bilkszto Award, the applicant must be an accredited full-time educator at the middle or high school level in an English separate, English Catholic, French separate or French Catholic public school in the province of Ontario.

Application Stream

  • Applicants will be required to write a 750 word essay about how they intend to uphold or have upheld Richard’s values: freedom of expression, equality of opportunity, fairness, the merit principle, and a commitment to excellence in education.

  • Applicants must provide name/contact information for two references and two reference letters (not exceeding 250 words) from each reference. Reference letters should discuss how they know the applicant, how long they have known the applicant, and why the applicant fits the above criteria.

Financial Need (Scholarship Applicants ONLY)

Scholarship applicants only (not award applicants) will be asked to provide evidence of financial need (e.g., redacted notice of assessment without SIN and/or similar documentation). All financial need documentation will be destroyed within 30 days of the conclusion of the selection process.

Selection Process & Timeline

  • The scholarship selection committee will be composed of 1 board member and 2 members appointed by the board

  • Decisions will be communicated to applicants by April 15, 2025

For any questions or to request the application in an alternative format, please email: info@richardbilkszto.com.

2024 Scholarship & Award Winners

Carolyn Burjoski (Award)

Carolyn Burjoski is a retired teacher who worked for the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) for over 20 years. Her ouster from a board meeting on Jan. 17, 2022, drew international attention. She was ejected from the public meeting after questioning the appropriateness of materials available in elementary school libraries.

Burjoski appreciated Richard Bilkszto, who reached out to her numerous times and offered his support throughout her ordeal. She is pleased to receive the Richard Bilkszto Award and intends to use the gift to support educators who voice their concerns publicly.

Elizabeth Haas-Barota (Award)

Elizabeth Haas-Barota graduated from Etobicoke C.I. in TDSB in 1987 and completed her BA and BEd at Queen’s University in 1990. For the last 34 years, Elizabeth has taught grades 1-8 and worked as a guest lecturer in literacy instruction at the University of Toronto’s MA program.

Teaching reading is her passion. Her MA and PhD (University of Toronto) research focused on how to best support student’s emerging literacy skills and how to prepare new teachers to become insightful and effective literacy instructors.

She is the proud mother of three wonderful young adults and is deeply honoured to receive this groundbreaking award.

Thomas Corken (Scholarship)

Thomas Corken is a choral leader, educator and singer based in London, Ontario. He is the conductor of the Grand Philharmonic Youth Choir, Associate Conductor of the Grand Philharmonic Children’s Choir and Associate Conductor of the 120-voiced Grand Philharmonic Choir. He also works as a Supply Teacher for the Thames Valley District School Board in London.

Tom graduated from Western University, completing his Master’s in Choral Conducting with Dr. Mark Ramsay and Dr. Tracy Wong. He completed his undergraduate studies at McMaster University while working with the Hamilton Children’s Choir as Assistant Conductor. In September, Tom will be pursuing his Bachelor of Education at Western.