Ty Wagar, teacher, and Edwin Parr Award winner from Bluffton School. (Wolf Creek School Division)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Prestigious Recognition

ASBA Zone 4 honours seven central Alberta first year teachers

Jun 4, 2021 | 1:43 PM

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

Also,Ty Wagar, a first year teacher in Wolf Creek Public Schools, was celebrated as the winning nominee and recipient of Zone 4’s Edwin Parr Award, for the 2020-2021 school year.

“I could not be more honoured to receive this award on behalf of Zone 4,” says Wagar, in a press release, who teaches at Bluffton School. “The nominees from all over our zone are superb teachers, and I feel extremely proud to be recognized within such a dedicated, caring group. The support from Wolf Creek Public Schools, the Board of Trustees, Alda Lovell, Terry Hoganson, my family, and all the staff, students and community at Bluffton School has blown me away.”

“I feel so thankful to work in such an amazing school division with outstanding mentors that have helped all of us teachers grow exponentially in our first year,” he continues. “I cannot wait to continue teaching in Wolf Creek Public Schools and to keep making a difference in the lives of our next generation.”

“Ty is an outstanding, yet humble first-year educator, who captures the essence of Edwin Parr and his belief that a teacher should strive to go above and beyond bringing positive influence to the community,” says Alda Lovell, Director of People Services at Wolf Creek Public Schools. “Mr. Wagar is a gifted teacher and strong role model for young people. His enthusiasm for both his students and their learning will greatly benefit generations of students.”

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“Trustees in central Alberta are so impressed with our exceptional first year teachers,” says Laurette Woodward, ASBA Zone 4 Chair and Red Deer Public Schools Vice-Chair. “In a difficult year with unusual challenges, these teachers showed incredible dedication. Their skill, and especially the relationships they’ve built are impressive.”

“Their commitment and passion makes us excited about the future of education, and for the students who will have the privilege of learning from these teachers,” adds Woodward.

Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Zone 4 is comprised of eight central Alberta School Boards. Each year, each 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 nominees individually, and reviews the submissions, to select a winning candidate. All seven nominees for 2020-21 were honoured at an online event on May 31. Each received an engraved plaque.

Additionally, Wagar will be honoured by ASBA at an event in the fall of 2021, with five other Edwin Parr recipients from other zones in the province.

The seven nominees for the Edwin Parr ASBA Zone 4 for the 2020-21 school year include:

• Alexyn Nycholat, Forestburg School, Battle River School Division
• Meaghan Halkyard, Hugh Sutherland School, Chinook’s Edge School Division
• Christine Roland, Byemoor, Clearview Public Schools
• Meghan Huizing, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools
• Rhana Dad Mohammad, Lindsay Thurber Composite High School, Red Deer Public Schools
• Jadeyn Leenstra, Caroline School, Wild Rose School Division
• Ty Wagar, Bluffton School, Wolf Creek Public Schools

“Our sincerest and warmest congratulations goes out to Mr. Wagar 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. 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
• Its eight school jurisdictions serve almost 57,000 students and employ more than 6,500 staff. The Zone has a combined annual budgets total of $642 million.

School board trustees in ASBA Zone 4 work together to advocate for the students and communities they serve.