LACOMBE … On the evening of May 26, 2014 at the Edwin Parr Nomination & Award ceremonies at the Lacombe Memorial Centre in Lacombe, school jurisdictions from Central Alberta recognized and celebrated outstanding first year teachers and announced the overall recipient of this prestigious award.
For many teachers, the first year in the classroom is among the most challenging of their career with planning, preparation and striving to be an excellent teacher. Earlier this year, the eight school jurisdictions that form Zone 4 of Alberta School Boards’ Association (ASBA) were invited to nominate a beginning year teacher who demonstrated outstanding attributes as a teacher.
Each nominating jurisdiction provided a written assessment of the nominee’s teaching skills, knowledge of student learning styles, skills at utilizing a variety of instructional methodologies, ability to assist students develop a positive self-concept, involvement in professional development and extra-curricular, community activities and their personal skills with students.
The following teachers were nominated and celebrated as outstanding teachers at the beginning of their career: Jamie Bolen, Wolf Creek Public Schools; Mandi Dushank, Clearview Public Schools; Shari Klumpenhower, Chinook’s Edge School Division; Nathan Pederson, Battle River School Division; Sara Pickering, Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools; Laina Karvinen-Provencher, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools; Staron Stan, Red Deer Public Schools.
The Edwin Parr Nomination and Award committee interviewed each nominee and visited their classroom to assess their personal characteristics and professional attributes. Committee Chairperson, Lorrie Jess, says “All of the nominees were exceptional first year teachers, and while the comprehensive assessment was helpful, choosing a finalist was a most difficult decision. To quote Rita Pierson, ‘every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.’ These seven nominees are such champions.”
The award ceremonies ended with the presentation of the Zone 4 Edwin Parr Award to Nathan Pederson, a grade 5/6 teacher at Chester Ronning School. Nathan will be honored at the Alberta School Boards’ Association Fall General Meeting.