Sylvan Lake C.P. Blakely teacher Steve Higgs nominated for Edwin Parr Award

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“We were working with very vulnerable children, and we were convinced that if we could provide as many kids with as decent an education as possible, it could make a valuable difference for individuals and families,” said Steve. “Seeing the gratitude in their eyes to be receiving an education opened me up to what teaching can offer the human race. Now that my first year of teaching is nearly done, I can say that I’ve felt my most authentic self when I’m in the classroom. I am so happy to be here.”

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It is that capacity to be reflective on his teaching practice, for valuing each student and for forging strong relationships with everyone around him that inspired Principal Anne Frey to nominate Steve Higgs for the Chinook’s Edge Edwin Parr Award nomination.

The Alberta School Boards’ Association ‘Edwin Parr Award’ recognizes teachers who are new to the profession who show significant promise in their first year.

“He has extremely strong student relationship skills – our students and families truly love him,” said Principal Frey. “He has contributed so much to our culture here that it’s hard to believe he is a first year teacher. He has cultivated a diverse and flexible classroom space that keeps students engaged. He is very Google savvy and has shared his Level One Google education skills with all our staff. He’s been a great staff member right from the start and he’s been an impactful teacher, because he made it a priority to immediately become part of the community.”

For Steve Higgs, this meant honouring everything that was important to his students inside the school and out.

“The idea of forming a strong relationship with students isn’t a new concept for Chinook’s Edge – this division already has that priority right,” states Higgs. “I just wanted to work hard to establish myself as someone worth these kids’ time for eight hours a day. I hope they remember their experience in my class and how I valued who they are as people. For me, I’ll remember their innocent reminder to me to have fun, because we really enjoy our learning together. They have helped me as a teacher.”

The Edwin Parr Award winner from Zone 4 will be announced at a special event on May 28.

(Gary McKinnon)