Nominations are in and 10 Rocky View Schools (RVS) teachers have been selected as nominees for Alberta Education’s 2014 Excellence of Teaching Awards.
“I was shocked. I’m only in my third year (of teaching) and was quite surprised,” said W.G. Murdoch Science Teacher Nicole Godley of the nomination.
Godley was nominated along with Grayson Adams and Kara Vincent from Glenbow Elementary School in Cochrane, Sarah Chung from Springbank Middle School, Kathryn Hryciw from Manachaban Middle School in Cochrane, Derek Keenan from Nose Creek Elementary School in Airdrie, Jenna Smith from Herons Crossing School in Airdrie and Jordan Harris, Grefory Rankin and Jarett Hooper from George McDougall High School in Airdrie.
“I feel quite honoured,” Godley said, adding the nomination from a parent of one of her students was especially meaningful.
Though she said she certainly didn’t expect the nomination and didn’t get into teaching for the recognition, she is glad the awards exist.
“I think that it is important to recognize teachers in this way as it draws attention to our day-to-day tasks and the roles that we play in our students lives. So often times as teachers, we are not even aware of how we are impacting our students lives and through awards such as this it really makes you reflect on your role and the importance that your job has,” she said.
She said the awards help teachers remember the impact they have.
“It drives you to want to be the best you can be because you want to see (students) succeed,” she said.
In 2013, 14 RVS teachers were nominated for the award and three were recognized as winners.
The semi-finalists will be announced in late April, and the 20 teachers selected as winners of the Excellence in Teaching Award will be recognized in late May.
All nominees receive certificates of recognition, while the semi-finalist and winners also get access to funding for professional development opportunities. Semi-finalists have access to $1,500 for professional development and winners receive $4,000.
The Selection Committee tasked with selecting the 20 winners is made up of representatives from: Alberta Education, the Alberta School Boards Association, the Alberta School Councils’ Association, the Alberta Teachers’ Association, the Association of Alberta Deans of Education, the Association of Independent Schools and Colleges, the College of Alberta School Superintendents.
The awards have celebrated outstanding teachers and principals since 1989, have received nominations for more than 9,000 teachers and principals and honoured more than 500 winners.
Godley said the nomination is excitement enough and she can’t begin to think about possibly winning.
“It’s great just to be nominated,” she said.
