The board of trustees recognized five Rocky View Schools’ teachers for excellence, June 17.
Each year, the Excellence in Teaching Awards are presented by Alberta Education and this year, five of the nominees were from Rocky View Schools.
“Thank you for all you do,” said Trustee Don Thomas.
Patricia Bell of Muriel Clayton Middle School; Christine Boyd from Westbrook School; Ben Ryan, teacher at Bearspaw School; Dixie Duff of Muriel Clayton Middle School and Kelly Lord from Langdon School were nominated for the award.
Boyd has been working at Westbrook School for 19 years and this is her last.
“This is my last year and I am going with a few tears in her eyes,” she said.
“It has been a wonderful opportunity and it is so nice to be recognized for the work you love to do.”
Trustee Colleen Munro said Boyd has been a lynchpin in the community.
Ryan said he is a teacher who likes to have fun.
“If kids enjoy going to school and have fun, it will be easier for them to learn,” he said.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards recognize the innovation and outstanding teaching that takes place every day in classrooms across Alberta. Of the 136 finalists, 20 are recognized with a provincial Excellence in Teaching Award and three receive the SMARTer Kids Foundation Innovative Use of Technology Award.
Duff was a semi-finalist, while Lord was a finalist.
Superintendent of Schools Greg Bass said students have described Duff as “the most well-loved teacher I have ever seen.”
“I always had a true love for middle school,” said Duff.
“I look at how the students view themselves. They are not adults and they are not children and so they view themselves as nothing. They want so much to be respected. Grades 7 to 9, these are the years where parents have to be so unbelievably involved and in tune with what’s going on.”
Bass said Lord’s thirst for knowledge is unquenchable.
Trustee Bev LaPeare said she makes each of her students feel like they are the only ones in the room.
“I have seen how you work with my own kids and I can’t say enough about you. I am so honoured to be the trustee in your area,” she said.
“No matter what age, they (children) have possibilities,” said Lord.
“Being in an environment where there are those possibilities, children flourish.”
