July 2008 IssuE
2008 Apegga Teacher Award Recipients
We all strive to do well in our careers and professions, to make a difference, to leave a positive impression. How well do we do? What impact do we have?
The teachers named below now know the answers to those questions.
Each name is accompanied by quotes drawn from the nomination in the annual awards. A full story about the awards appears here.
Northern Alberta
KRISTIAN BASARABA
Lamont High School, Lamont
Students are instantly drawn by Mr. Basaraba’s infectious passion for chemistry and physics. He creates an atmosphere of excitement and intrigue in his classroom. He inspires fun in learning. Kristian Basaraba is an absolute gem of a teacher.
JIM BERRY
E.S. Laird Middle School, Lloydminster, Sask.
Mr. Berry loves to teach and it shows every single day. He always finds creative ways to reach us. He makes us excited to learn! Jim Berry’s leadership has forged a “math is cool” culture in our school and among students.
ROB LUCK
Graminia Community School, Spruce Grove
Mr. Luck has such enthusiasm because he has fun when he is teaching. I look forward to every day that I have science. I have learned more science with him than I could ever imagine.
STEPHANIE MACKAY
Archbishop O’Leary High School, Edmonton
Mrs. Mackay is always thinking of fun new things to get us involved. She makes math exciting. I love the way she uses new technology to further my understanding of math concepts. Her math class was an unforgettable learning experience.
JAMES POBUDA
Peace River High School, Peace River
Mr. Pobuda is so enthusiastic about teaching that you can’t help but be interested in his class. The labs and activities that he plans allow us to explore and learn for ourselves. His clever use of wit and everyday examples make science understandable and fun to learn.
CHARLENE SAUNDERS
Griffiths-Scott Middle School, Millet
Miss Saunders made science one of my favourite subjects. It would be great if every kid had a teacher like Miss Saunders. She is a teacher who stands head and shoulders above others.
MARK WOODWARD
Ottewell School, Edmonton
We found ourselves liking science because of our amazing teacher, Mr. Woodward. He motivates us to explore science in the real world. Science used to be a hard subject, but now it is one of the most enjoyable and easiest to learn.
Southern Alberta
ROGER CHEN
Saint Francis High School, Calgary
The signs in Mr. Chen’s classroom read: Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know, and we all use math every day. Mr. Chen’s messages are loud and clear and he leads by example. Mr. Chen is the teacher every school dreams of having.
WENDY DUNKLE
Gus Wetter School, Castor
Mrs. Dunkle is an awesome math teacher! She is very creative and makes classes exciting, challenging and interesting. She gives us the greatest math experience ever. There should be a Mrs. Dunkle in every school.
CHRISTIE GORDON
Olympic Heights Elementary School, Calgary
I used to dislike math, but Mrs. Gordon showed me it is a wonderful subject. Hands-on activities in science, math and creative arts are interwoven so children are genuinely intrigued by the world around them. She loves math and science and wishes the same for every student she teaches.
ROBERT HICKS
Lord Beaverbrook Senior High School, Calgary
Mr. Hicks creates successful students. He made his classroom a place where every student wants to learn more. I believe the past, present and future students of Mr. Bob Hicks are incredibly fortunate to have him as a teacher, a role model, mentor and friend.
ROB LEDERER
Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School, Calgary
The cool teachers of the world like Rob Lederer not only influence their students, they also have an ability to change the culture of the school. We are always guaranteed the best of Mr. Lederer every day. He inspires me to impact the lives of others as he has mine.
JOE PAULSON
Cardston High School, Cardston
Occasionally a champion of youth appears on the scene of education and creates an inquiring culture and society of greatness in a learning community. Joe Paulson is such an individual. Literally thousands of people have been infected with the positive influence of Mr. Paulson as a science educator.
IAN WERELEY
Sir Winston Churchill High School, Calgary
As soon as you enter Mr. Wereley’s class you feel smarter and become smarter. Never in my life did I expect that physics could be so simple and clear! I love physics because of Mr. Wereley and his incredible teaching abilities.