DIDSBURY - Longtime Didsbury band teacher Kirk Wassmer, who is retiring this week after a decades-long education career, has been handed the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award of Teaching Excellence at the certificate of achievement level.
The award recognizes his work with students and his overall promotion of music education.
“It is an honour to receive this recognition, and at this time it really feels to me like the culmination of a lot of years of teaching,” he said. “It’s a very special award at a very special time.”
Former Didsbury High School student Emily Gallant nominated Wassmer for the award.
“Kirk’s approach is student-centred and combines technical excellence with a deep appreciation for the artistic and collaborative aspects of music education,” she said. “He makes learning fun and engaging and makes meaning through the pieces selected, naturally deepening each student’s passion for music.”
School principal Scott MacDonald also offered Wassmer his congratulations.
“While it is obvious that Kirk Wassmer is the core of a highly successful band program, it is less obvious what that means to a school.”
Earlier this school year Wassmer also received the Chinook’s Edge School Division’s Roy E. Cope Award for his significant contribution to the educational welfare of students. He was also recently named this year’s recipient of the I. Keith Mann/NAC Orchestra Outstanding Band Director Award.
