A Penhold teacher is the school division's nominee for a provincial award.
Lisa Leatherdale, a Grade 4 teacher at Penhold School, has been put forward by Chinook's Edge School Division for consideration for the Edwin Parr Award.
The Edwin Parr Award is given out by the Alberta School Boards Association to a first-year teacher who shows significant promise in their profession.
Leatherdale, 23, said she was “absolutely shocked” by the nomination.
“I know there's some truly amazing other first-year teachers,” she said. “It's quite an honour.”
Leatherdale graduated from the University of Alberta last April after completing her bachelor of education through Red Deer College and the University of Alberta.
She might be in her first year as a teacher but she's not new to Chinook's Edge School Division. Leatherdale grew up in Olds and was a Chinook's Edge student until she went on to post-secondary school.
“It's nice running into my old teachers,” she said.
Leatherdale said she'd wanted to work with kids since she was young, making teaching a dream come true.
“It's my passion,” she said. “I love spending time with the kids. I love getting them excited to learn.”
She's excited to teach them every subject, even the ones she didn't like as a student.
“I hated math all through school and now I love teaching it,” she said, adding she enjoys seeing “light bulb moments” where her students reach a sudden understanding of different concepts.
The process to win the school district nomination began in March, when the principal and vice-principal of Penhold School nominated her. Then a district administrator came to evaluate her, followed by a visit by representatives from her zone.
“They sit and they watch you teach the whole time,” Leatherdale said of the evaluation.
In addition to her Grade 4 teaching duties, Leatherdale coaches two basketball teams at the school, assists with the hot lunch program and participates in other teaching programs at the school and within Chinook's Edge.
“Lisa is young and dynamic, and she has a distinct ability to make learning meaningful for each of her students,” said Clark Peters, Penhold School principal, in a press release. “She is the embodiment of how much difference a teacher can make for a child.”
The division administrator who evaluates new teachers said it was difficult for the committee to choose a candidate this year because there is a strong group of first-year teachers.
“The committee was struck by her passion for her own professional improvement – she's like a sponge who is looking for even more water to soak up,” Lee Tipman said.
The Edwin Parr Award recipient will be announced in May, but Leatherdale said she's happy with just the nomination.
When asked what her favourite part of her first year of teaching has been, Leatherdale said it was the experience itself.
“It's been a very interesting (and) dynamic road. It's been a lot of fun,” she said.
