JULY 2005 ISSUE
MASTERS OF CLASS
APEGGA NAMES 2005 TEACHER AWARD RECIPIENTS
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Winner of a Teacher |
BY JEANNE KEASCHUK
Senior Outreach Coordinator
“I look forward to going to science class everyday; it never used to be this way,” writes Lindsay Brouwer about her scholastic experiences with Grade 9 science teacher Kim Orr at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. “I make sure I put forth the best possible effort because I am lucky to have a teacher who puts her best effort into everything she does for me and my classmates.”
Lindsay’s comments underline the profound and positive effect a good teacher has on the future of science, math and the APEGGA professions.
Lindsay organized nominations for Mrs. Orr when she heard about the APEGGA Teacher Awards. Kim Orr is one of 14 award recipients in the APEGGA awards for 2005, also known as the Who Makes School Cool program.
“This is one of those teaching moments that I will never forget,” says Mrs. Orr. “I am very touched by the thoughtfulness of my nominators and their comments. The APEGGA award means the world to me.” She adds that the award money will be put to good science use at the school.
Appreciation, recognition and thanks for exceptional teaching in science and math are reasons why APEGGA implemented the teacher Awards program 15 years ago. The 14 award recipients receive a certificate and $1,000 to enhance science and/or math education in their school. APEGGA and its branches host events to honour each award recipient. All teachers nominated receive a letter of thanks, a certificate of nomination and a copy of their nomination package.
The 2005 Teacher Awards program was a success thanks to more than 700 students, parents, colleagues and administrators who nominated 108 math and science teachers from elementary, junior high and senior high schools in Alberta.
APEGGA salutes these teachers for their outstanding efforts and for sharing their enthusiasm for science and mathematics with Alberta youth.
Each recipient is named here, followed by a few nominator comments.
NORTHERN ALBERTA
Pamela Garbin
Westwood Community High School
Fort McMurray
She knows her stuff and can relate to students. Literally and figuratively, Mrs. Garbin is always on the same page as her class. She’s got it down to a science.
Richard Papp
Bonnyville Centralized High School
Bonnyville
I think it is awesome how Mr. Papp can combine his two loves, math and art. What I like best about Mr. Papp is that he likes his job and it shows.
Mary Ann Perras
Anne Fitzgerald School
Edmonton
Mrs. Perras is a wondrous and stupendous teacher. She is like Albert Einstein all over again. She makes everything exciting, from field trips to event tests.
Marion Rex
St. Marguerite Catholic School
Spruce Grove
Mrs. Rex is a person of exceptional caliber and a very gifted teacher. Her love of teaching is only matched by her dedication and her heart.
Kelly Rowswell
Bannerman School
Edmonton
Science is the coolest thing when it’s with Mrs. Rowswell. Science is her life. All in all, Mrs. Rowswell is an amazing educator and she performs her job superbly.
Sheryl Saville
Clandonald School
Clandonald
Mrs. Saville is a GREAT math teacher an a FANTASTIC science teacher! She cares about us and believes in us. She challenges us and sets us up for success.
Bill Willette
Bellerose Composite High School
St. Albert
His attitude makes everyone feel as if math is the coolest thing in the world. He makes math enjoyable for the math-phobe and enthusiast alike.
SOUTHERN ALBERTA
Marco Filipetto
St. Francis High School
Calgary
Mr. Filipetto personifies enthusiasm, energy and inspiration. He is a gift to our students, the education profession and to the teaching of mathematics.
Dan Gojmerac
Father Lacombe School
Calgary
According to Mr. Gojmerac, everything revolves around math! He has changed the way I view the world of mathematics.
Elwood (Woody) Lyons
Delta West Academy
Calgary
Mr. Lyons can make anyone enjoy math. He instils a sense of the big picture in all his students. He is an amazing teacher and person.
Paul Merrick
McCoy High School
Medicine Hat
Mr. Merrick believed that I should challenge myself by applying what I learned to the world around me. His focus is student learning and making his class fun.
Kim Orr
Lethbridge Collegiate Institute
Lethbridge
Her energy makes science so much more interesting and makes me want to learn more. She has fun activities so science is not a teenager’s worst nightmare.
Ryan Sheehan
École Camille J. Lerouge
Red Deer
Mr. Sheehan is an extraordinary person to learn from. There isn’t a day that I don’t want to go to science. We are lucky to be taught by him.
Joyce Shigehiro
Standard School
Standard
She always sees the best in students and is tireless in meeting their learning needs. She makes every moment a learning moment. I see in her a commitment to excellence.