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The Faculty of Education extends sincere gratitude and best wishes to Dr. Anna Kirova, who is retiring at the end of June.

Kirova has been a faculty member since 2000, when she joined the former Department of Elementary Education as an assistant professor. Prior to that, she earned a PhD in early childhood education from the University of Sofia in Bulgaria in 1987, as well as a PhD in elementary education at the º£½ÇÉçÇø in 1996. 

Over the past 25 years she has been a remarkable leader in the area of early childhood education. She is internationally recognized for her scholarship on migration and community-engaged research. 

“It is through this work that I have had the privilege of collaborating with her over the past decade, and experiences I count among the highlights of my academic career in the Faculty of Education,” says colleague Dr. Sophie Yohani. 

“One particularly impactful project was the Creating Welcoming Learning Communities Project (2016–2017), a year-long webinar series supporting educators and school leaders in fostering belonging and success for refugee-background students. With Dr. Kirova we brought educators, researchers, and community practitioners into meaningful dialogue on topics ranging from multilingualism, to trauma-informed practice, and inclusion.”

“Anna’s research has consistently been anchored in human experience, bridging disciplines and transcending geographic and institutional boundaries,” says another longtime colleague, Dr. Larry Prochner. “Whether exploring early childhood development, the psychosocial well-being of immigrant and refugee children, or arts-based inquiry, she has encouraged us to think with precision, empathy and intellectual responsibility.”

A dedicated teacher, Kirova was instrumental in establishing the Early Childhood Education Certificate program in 2017. The online certificate allows teachers and professionals in related fields to upgrade their early childhood education knowledge and skills in order to meet the changing needs of Alberta’s classrooms. 

She earned numerous awards and honours during her career, including SSHRC grants, the Alberta Teachers’ Association Advocate for Young Children Award in 2013 and a Killam Annual Professorship in 2018. 

Over the years Kirova also filled many important administrative roles, including associate chair and graduate coordinator for Elementary Education; director of the Child Study Centre; co-director of the Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Research; and editor of the Alberta Journal of Educational Research.

Along with her significant contributions as a teacher and researcher, Kirova will be remembered across the Faculty and beyond for her lasting impact as a mentor. 

“Anna’s classroom has long been a space for thoughtful questioning, rich dialogue and exploratory thinking,” says Prochner, noting that many of her past master’s and doctoral students are now leading voices in the field. “Her students often reflect not only on what they learned but also on how she made them feel – acknowledged, challenged and genuinely supported. That is an uncommon and enduring legacy.”

“Anna’s presence will continue to resonate in classrooms, communities and institutions across various contexts,” he adds. “Her commitment to justice, intellectual rigour and care for children has become woven into the fabric of our shared work.” 

“Through Dr. Kirova’s mentorship and partnership, I have experienced the true power of critical pedagogy, and indeed, the benefits of working with someone whose expertise in pedagogical sciences runs deep,” says Yohani. “Her presence on research teams has been both grounding and galvanizing. As she transitions into full retirement, I extend my deepest congratulations and heartfelt gratitude. While her daily presence is already profoundly missed, her legacy of scholarship, mentorship, and advocacy will remain an enduring influence in our faculty. Ahsante sana, Anna!”