Edwin Parr Award Nominee 2020

The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education is pleased to announce that Miss. Kennedy Werre from St. Francis Xavier’s School has been chosen to represent MHCBE as the 2020 Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Edwin Parr Teacher Award Nominee!

"Why did I decide to become a teacher? It all started when I was in the fifth grade, where I was impacted by one of those “superhero” teachers. This teacher became my first basketball coach, and stuck with me through my five year college career, to be my last. The impact that we can have as educators on our students is inspiring and life changing, whether this means helping them figure out how to count by twos or helping them walk across the stage in their senior year. 

What I love most about teaching is building relationships with students and creating opportunities for them to find out what their passions are on their journey of life. Seeing students have their “aha” or “light bulb” moments is one of the greatest feelings I have ever felt. In my current teaching position at St. Francis Xavier, I have managed to be able to incorporate my passion for sport into my teaching practice with the opening of the sports academy. Being able to teach students elements of physical literacy through a variety of sports has been one of the highlights of my first year of teaching. One thing I have enjoyed about the academy is being able to connect students with the phenomenal community experts and facilities around Medicine Hat.

I can’t put into words how much I have learned from my students over the course of my first year of teaching. No matter how crazy life can get, especially in these times, they are the ones that show the light at the end of the tunnel. The staff, students, and families of the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education have easily become my family. I believe that I have found my true calling, and it sure is the dream job."

Each year, Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) honors six outstanding first year teachers for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award, one from each zone from across the province. ASBA zone winners are then honoured at the Association’s Annual Fall Conference in Edmonton. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zone 6 Banquet has been cancelled. Award winners and nominees will be acknowledged by the ASBA in an online format. More details from the ASBA to follow. 

Once social distancing restrictions have been lifted, Kennedy will be formally acknowledged by the Board of Trustees for her nomination and as an Ambassador for Catholic Education at a Public Board Meeting. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we wish Kennedy all the best as a nominee of this prestigious award. Congratulations and good luck!

An interesting school year for first-year teachers - Chat TV