Alberta's exceptional educators honoured with prestigious awards

A select group of Alberta’s kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers and principals will be recognized in Calgary on May 26 as recipients of the province’s Excellence in Teaching Awards.  The award recipients were nominated by students, parents, colleagues and communities. 

This year, 23 teachers and principals will be presented with Excellence in Teaching and SMART Technologies Innovative Use of Technology awards.  Recipients for both awards were selected from 341 eligible nominations.

“When I was in school, I had a special teacher who helped set the path to where I am today,” said Jeff Johnson, Minister of Education.  “Educators greatly influence the lives of students, which is why I am pleased we have this program to recognize those who inspire and encourage students to reach their full potential.”

Award nominees show leadership, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work collaboratively with colleagues, and create positive learning environments that motivate students to excel.  Semi-finalists and award recipients are selected by a committee made up of representatives from the education community.

This past April, 130 semi-finalists from across the province were recognized at two regional celebrations and awarded access to $1,500 for professional development. 

The 20 Excellence in Teaching Award recipients will be able to access up to $4,000 for professional development. The three teachers who receive the SMART Technologies Innovative Use of Technology Awards will receive a comprehensive technology package, which includes a SMART board.

Alberta Education hosts the 24th Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards with the support of the Alberta School Councils’ Association, the Alberta School Boards Association, the Alberta Teachers’ Association, the Association of Alberta Deans of Education, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Council on Alberta Teaching Standards, the Edmonton Journal, and SMART Technologies.

Albertans have celebrated Excellence in Teaching since 1989, with more than 9,000 teachers nominated and 492 receiving the award.  To view the list of award recipients and semi-finalists visit: http://www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/excellence.aspx.

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Backgrounder: 2012 provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards recipients 

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Tim Chamberlin
Communications
Alberta Education
780-644-6821
[email protected]

To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Backgrounder

2012 provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards recipients

Name	School	Location
Pamela Bates	Saddle Ridge School	Calgary
Kristy Martens	Westmount Charter School	Calgary
Lynelle Pierzchalski	F.E. Osborne School	Calgary
Danielle Spencer	Westmount Charter School	Calgary
Gary Thoreson	Bishop Grandin High School	Calgary
Stephanie Bennett	Cochrane High School	Cochrane
Jason Rasmussen	Drumheller Valley Secondary School	Drumheller
Aaron Dublenko	Queen Elizabeth School	Edmonton
Susanna Nigro-Vecchio	St. Paul Catholic School	Edmonton
Doug Romanchuk	M.E. LaZerte School	Edmonton
Valerie Gondek	Thickwood Heights School	Fort McMurray
Laura Tapson	Mother Teresa Catholic School	Grande Prairie
Gayle Monsma	Covenant Christian School	Leduc
Dean Hawkins	Galbraith School	Lethbridge
Darlene Kusick	École Olds Elementary School	Olds
Gayla Moore	Olds High School	Olds
David Khatib	St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School	Red Deer
Colette Pedde	Mattie McCullough Elementary School	Red Deer
Judith McIntyre	Our Lady of the Rosary School	Sylvan Lake
Kenneth Garinger	County Central High School	Vulcan

SMART Technologies Innovative Use of Technology Awards recipients

Name	School	Location
Jennifer Turner	Sir John A. Macdonald School	Calgary
Gilles Robert	École Notre-Dame des Monts	Canmore
Colin Veldkamp	Harry Ainlay High School	Edmonton

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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Tim Chamberlin
Communications
Alberta Education
780-644-6821
[email protected]
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.