Media Releases

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Good Things Are Happening
DISTRICT ANNOUNCES 2008 EDWIN PARR TEACHER NOMINEE

At the regular public board meeting on March 11, the Board of Trustees recognized Natalie Sanderson from Ross Sheppard School as the District's representative for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award for first-year teachers.

Natalie teaches Physical Education 10 and 20; Career and Technology Studies - Foods 10; and Career, Post Secondary and Personal Counselling at Ross Sheppard. It is noted that one of her strengths is that she works exceptionally well within a team environment in the school.

This outstanding first year teacher believes that if students can't learn the way we teach, we should teach them the way they learn. To connect with her students Natalie employs a variety of teaching methodologies.

Natalie has a bachelor of science in kinesiology from the University of Calgary; a graduate diploma of education from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia; and a bachelor of education degree from the University of Alberta.

She is a member of the school wellness committee and coaches the junior girls' volleyball and basketball teams. She has also taken on the role of career counsellor in the school and has organized weekly guest speaker sessions that are open to all students.

The Board also paid tribute to the following 12 first year teachers, who were nominated by their schools:

  • Courtney Borschneck, McNally School
  • Robert Boyd, W.P. Wagner School
  • David Brimacombe, Ottewell School
  • Monica Bufu, Hillcrest School
  • Lindsay Carmichael, Harry Ainlay School
  • Sobha Changarathil, Ottewell School
  • Cherilyn Maluga, Garneau School
  • Angela Mercer, Londonderry School
  • Chandrelle Mickelwright, Pollard Meadows Schools
  • Sandra Schaeffer, Steinhauer School
  • Lyndsey Stoddard, Pollard Meadows Schools
  • Judianne Walls, Brightview School

Each year, the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) honours six outstanding first-year teachers to represent five zones throughout the province. These new teachers demonstrate excellence in utilizing a variety of instructional strategies to accommodate different student learning styles.

For further information, contact:
Jane Farrell, Communications
Edmonton Public Schools
(780) 429-8290