A new teacher of William E. Hay Composite High School in Stettler has been named as Clearview School Division’s nominee for the annual provincial Edwin Parr Award for the top teacher in first year teaching.
Sarah Steinbach was named by the school division as the lone nominee.
“It is more than encouraging being a first-year teacher and receiving such great recognition,” said Steinbach.
“Within this first year of my teaching career I have not only been challenged on a daily basis but have been supported continually by a great staff and school division.”
“The time I have spent with students both in the classroom and as a coach of the senior girls’ volleyball team has enabled me to build very strong relationships with my students - a key to effective instruction in my opinion.”
The Edwin Parr Award is presented annually to one first-year teacher in each of the six zones of the Alberta School Boards’ Association (ASBA).
Nominees demonstrate excellence in teaching and recipients of the award are recognized at the ASBA fall general meeting.
“As a board of trustees, we had a very difficult decision to make regarding which candidate we should put forward as our nominee for the Edwin Parr Award,” said Ken Checkel who chairs the board.
“We had two outstanding candidates, Sarah Steinbach and Hayley Leschert and as a board, we had an opportunity to meet with each of the candidates and it is exciting to see the high calibre of teachers we are recruiting into Clearview.”
“We wish Sarah all the best in the next phase of her nomination.”
“I would like to congratulate both of these fine first year teachers, Sarah and Hayley, on their nomination by their principal for the Edwin Parr Award,” said Superintendent John Bailey.
“It is a great honour for a first-year teacher to be nominated, and both of these young ladies are a credit to the teaching profession.”
Edwin Parr was president of the Alberta School Trustees’ Association from 1956 to 1962. Ed Parr, as he was known to all, instituted an “Annual Teacher Award” in his school system.
Each year, a member of the teaching staff was chosen to receive a gold watch and an appropriate certificate for long and meritorious service.