Clearview Public Schools has nominated a first year teacher for the ASBA Zone 4 Edwin Parr Award.
Brandon Brown, who teaches at Donalda School, appeared before the board for an interview during their Mar. 1 meeting. Trustees then went in-camera to choose a nominee after interviewing other first year teachers around the division.
Superintendent Peter Barron said afterwards, “Brandon is an excellent candidate for the Edwin Parr Award. He embodies all the qualities we look for in a first year teacher. He is innovative, hardworking and dedicated to his students. The Board of Trustees enjoyed Brandon’s enthusiasm, commitment to his students and passion for teaching. We wish him all the best at the next stage of this competition and for the rest of the school year.”
In the letter accompanying the nomination, Principal Mark Siemens wrote, “I have had the privilege of working extensively with Brandon and I can accurately speak of three of his traits that have laid the foundation for a successful first year of teaching: his impeccable work ethic, his strong interpersonal skills, and his passion for learning and improving.”
Brandon grew up in the Brownfield area, attending both Brownfield and Coronation Schools. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, and received a Bachelor in Science with Distinction (Major in Biology, minor in Physical Education) and a Bachelor in Education with a major in Secondary Education.
Brandon shared, “I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to go to school every day, and talk about two of my greatest passions: Science and Physical Education. I have a strong commitment to the children I work with, and want to make a difference for good in each of their lives.”
“One of the rewards I most anticipate is reconnecting with former students, and discovering where they took their future. I love working at Donalda School, and am very proud to be a rural educator. I thank you for the opportunity to teach in Clearview.”
Outside of school, Brandon keeps busy coaching curling, volleyball and badminton at Donalda School. Other interests include sports, music and hunting.
A recognition event will be held for all nominees from each division, and a zone winner is selected from those nominees. Zone 4 is made up of eight school divisions: Battle River, Chinook’s Edge, Red Deer Catholic Regional, Red Deer Public, Wetaskiwin Regional, Wild Rose and the Wolf Creek School Division. Nominees will be celebrated at a banquet in Innisfail on May 28, where the Zone 4 winner will be announced.
The award is named after Edwin Parr, who served as the Board Chair of the Athabasca school division, and as the president of the Alberta School Trustees’ Association (now the Alberta School Board Association) from 1956 until 1962. When he passed away in 1963, the association established an annual honour in his name the following year.
landin.chambers@stettlerindependent.com
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