For Tony Linner, receiving the 2025 Arbo's Award for Contributions to the Professional Organization is more than a personal achievement—it’s a meaningful recognition of a career spent fostering growth, collaboration, and care in Saskatchewan’s education system.
Presented during the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) Spring Council before a crowd of around 300 representatives and staff from across the province, the award celebrated Linner’s years of service not only in classrooms but also at the heart of educational leadership and policy.
"It’s very satisfying for me and my family," said Linner. "We moved around a lot, and I traveled all over the province with the STF. It was a family thing, and this award feels like a shared recognition of that journey."
Linner began teaching in 1972 at Riverside Collegiate in Prince Albert. With degrees in Arts and Education and a postgraduate diploma in Educational Psychology, he would go on to serve in many roles: teacher, guidance counsellor, principal, lecturer, and senior administrative staff member of the STF. Along the way, he taught at Nutana and Mount Royal collegiates, served as a counsellor at Riverview, and became principal of Macklin School in 1985.
"Macklin was a very rewarding experience,” Linner recalled. “It was a positive community, very supportive of education, and it probably played a big role in me getting the job at the STF."
Joining the STF in 1987, Linner worked on everything from teacher exchange programs and pre-retirement seminars to income continuity plans and local negotiations. He stayed with the organization for 15 years, retiring in 2002.
Though officially retired, Linner never stopped giving back. He became a lecturer in Educational Administration at the University of Saskatchewan, an instructor at Prairie West Regional College, and a consultant for the Saskatchewan Office of the Treaty Commissioner. He also sat on several boards, including 18 years with TCU Financial Group and a term as president of the Nutana Curling Club.
Reflecting on his early days in education, Linner admitted he hadn’t originally planned on becoming a teacher. While coaching hockey in Saskatoon during his university years, he discovered a natural connection with young people that he eventually brought into the classroom.
"Teaching is a very interpersonal job," he said. "When I started in Prince Albert, I had no experience with First Nations students or cross-cultural education. I had a lot to learn, and I’m grateful people were patient with me."
When asked about career highlights, Linner didn’t cite accolades or promotions. Instead, he emphasized the moments that stick with many educators—the quiet acknowledgments from former students whose lives were changed in the classroom.
"They come up to you years later and say, 'You probably don’t remember me, but you taught me at such-and-such a school.' That’s the real reward," he said. "It’s developmental work. It’s helping people grow. Just like others did for me."
Linner also shared how his career in education helped shape his broader worldview.
"I’m a social democrat at heart. I believe people working together is more productive than taking an antagonistic approach. Teaching taught me to stay calm, to listen, and to work toward positive goals with people. That’s something I’ve carried with me into every other part of my life."
He also took a moment to recognize the people and community of Macklin, where he served as principal: "There were some really great people out there, Harvey Morissette, Ron Veller, Dr. Johnsrude, I remember them well and appreciate them a great deal."
Linner’s legacy isn’t defined by titles or awards, but by the countless relationships he built across classrooms, communities, and committees. The Arbo's award may mark a milestone, but for those who worked alongside him or learned under his guidance, Tony Linner’s contributions have been felt for decades.