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Prestigious Acknowledgement

Lacombe teacher wins Edwin Parr Award for Zone 4

Jun 20, 2020 | 9:00 AM

Central Alberta’s school board trustees have honored eight first year teachers for their outstanding contributions to education.

The big winner was Steven Prediger – a first year Career and Technology Studies (CTS) teacher at Wolf Creek Public Schools who was celebrated as the winning nominee and recipient of Zone 4’s Edwin Parr Award for the 2019-2020 school year.

“I could not be more honoured to receive this award,” says Prediger, in a press release. “As I said in my interview with the committee, there is so much more happening in the Fabrication shop than just welding. My goal from day one has been to shape and guide the next generation to become educated, literate, and compassionate citizens of tomorrow.”

The Lacombe Composite High School teacher says he is proud to have the opportunity to be an educator, and will carry the honour with him throughout his career.

“The exceptional caliber of teachers honored at this event is so exciting,” adds Laurette Woodward, ASBA Zone 4 Chair and Red Deer Public Schools Vice-Chair. “We know our students are in very capable hands with these teachers. It is truly a highlight for trustees to honour these nominees and hear from them at our celebration event.”

ASBA Zone 4 is comprised of eight central Alberta school boards.

Each year, every school board in Zone 4 nominates an exceptional first year teacher for the Edwin Parr Award. A Zone 4 committee of trustees meets with the eight nominees individually, and reviews the submissions to select a winning candidate.

All eight nominees for 2019-20 were honoured at an online event on June 16. Each received an engraved plaque as well.

Prediger will be additionally honoured by ASBA at an event in the fall of 2020 with five other Edwin Parr recipients from other zones in the province.

The eight nominees for the Edwin Parr ASBA Zone 4 award for the 2019-20 school year include:

Hailey Ortman, Bawlf School, Battle River School Division

Kasey Graham, Ecole Innisfail Middle School, Chinook’s Edge School Division

Sarah Irving, Gus Wetter School, Clearview Public Schools

Nicole Adrian, St. Gregory the Great School, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

Brianna Bancroft, Eastview Middle School, Red Deer Public Schools

Ryley Gallant , Centennial School, Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools

Lauren Bolton, Ecole Rocky Elementary, Wild Rose School Division

Steven Prediger, Ecole Lacombe Composite High School, Wolf Creek Public Schools

“Our sincerest and warmest congratulations goes out to Mr. Prediger and to all of the ASBA Zone 4 Edwin Parr nominees”, says Woodward. “We wish each of the nominees all the best in their future careers, and thank them for making an incredible difference in the lives of our students.”

“Also, thank you to administration and mentors for assisting first year teachers in their transition to the profession,” adds Woodward. “We really appreciate your commitment to students and to public education in Alberta.”

Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Zone 4 includes trustee representatives from eight school jurisdictions.

Together, they serve and represent:

● 209 schools in communities that stretch from Tofield in the north, Coronation in the east, Carstairs in the south and Rocky Mountain House in the west. ASBA Zone 4 is spread over 33,500 km².

● The eight school jurisdictions serve almost 57,000 students and employ more than 6,500 staff. Their combined annual budgets total $642 million.