Morgan VanDusen, Wm. E. Hay Stettler Secondary Campus (Clearview Public Schools)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Edwin Parr Award

Clearview School Board selects nominee for outstanding first-year teacher award

Mar 2, 2022 | 1:02 PM

Clearview’s School Board has selected Morgan VanDusen, a senior math and physical education teacher in Stettler, as this year’s Edwin Parr Award nominee.

“I was absolutely thrilled when I found out I was the Edwin Parr nominee for Clearview! It is an honour to be recognized for such a long-standing award, and I couldn’t wait to share the news with my students as they have been there with me every step of the way,” said VanDusen.

The Edwin Parr Award recognizes outstanding work by first-year teachers in Alberta and is presented by the Alberta School Boards’ Association. Clearview has the opportunity to nominate one candidate each year.

“Clearview’s board of trustees is honored to congratulate Morgan VanDusen on being chosen as Clearview’s Edwin Parr Award recipient,” says Guy Neitz, Clearview’s Board Chair. “Morgan’s talent and love of helping young minds understand and relate to mathematical concepts is essential and inspiring.”

VanDusen not only teaches at Wm. E. Hay Stettler Secondary Campus but is also an alumnus. She is best known for her passion in building relationships with students and staff.

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“What I love most about my job is the students, which is not cliché after you experience how wonderful it feels to be appreciated day in and day out by them, and to have those strong relationships where I look forward to seeing them each day,” she said. “I have loved teaching senior-level math, particularly math 30-1, as I get the chance to be part of and help students as they begin to choose what their futures outside of high school will look like. Senior-level math is definitely my niche, and I hope to be able to continue teaching in this area.”

Today, she coaches volleyball and is the teacher representative on the school council. She credits her mother Cheryl the most for her journey.

“She has been my biggest role model and supporter throughout my university years and this first year of teaching. Her teaching practices are what I try to emulate in my classroom,” she said.

“We are so pleased for Morgan,” said Brenda MacDonald, Superintendent for Clearview Public Schools. “She has started her teaching career so admirably, and that is with passion, dedication and a focus on students. We are all very impressed with Morgan and her ability to make a difference.”

The board met with VanDusen and the other nominees at its Feb. 23 meeting where trustees also heard from school principals about each candidate.

Myranda Shepherd, Wm. E. Hay Stettler Secondary Campus Principal, said VanDusen is impressive in her “calmness, expertise and confidence that is far beyond that of a first year teacher.”

“I think that Morgan strikes the balance of coming into a new profession and being confident in her philosophy and beliefs, but also knowing that there is a pool of wisdom to draw from her colleagues and she is eager to learn from those around her,” she said.

The other three nominees were Jessica Heintz from the same school, Samantha Johnston from Stettler Elementary School, and Kallie Stewart of Donalda School.

VanDusen’s nomination from Clearview will now be considered with seven other teachers from Central Alberta school divisions, in the Alberta School Boards’ Association’s Zone 4 this spring. The winning nominee from Zone 4 will be celebrated with a handful of other first year teachers in the fall at a provincial event.