King-Shaw, Ethel

King-Shaw, Ethel

Daughter of Walter and Mildred (Mason) King, Ethel was born in Vancouver, B.C. She received her public education at Redcliff School and at Alexandra High School, Medicine Hat. Ethel King was in the first class of the University of Alberta, Faculty of Education, Calgary Branch in 1945, graduating in 1949. King-Shaw taught elementary grades in Edmonton before accepting an assistant professor position at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1953. Two years later she was back in wild rose country and joined the staff at U of A at Calgary. She had the distinction of being the first woman to receive full professorship at the U of C, the first advisor to female students, and the first woman elected to the General Faculties Council 1950s and was there when the university received autonomy in 1966. She also served on the Minister's Advisory Committee on Early Childhood Education which led to the introduction of early childhood services in Alberta. Later she was elected a director of the Early Childhood Council and Secretary of the Canadian Committee of the World Organization of Preschool Education. In recognition of her contributions, King-Shaw was awarded a Fellowship in the Canadian College of Teachers, a Province of Alberta Achievement Award, and the George Croskery Memorial Award. In 1985, King-Shaw took early retirement and was appointed a professor emeritus. She became involved with the Emeritus Association when it began in 1992 and became the first woman president of the association in 1998-99, her most recent first at the University of Calgary. She received the Order of the University of Calgary in 2000.

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