Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is proud to announce four of its teachers Bonnie Edgecombe, of Lakeland Ridge; Theresa Wells-Taylor, of Woodbridge Farms Elementary; Chantel Werner, of James Mowat Elementary; and Steve Woodard, of Bev Facey Community High have been selected as a semifinalists in the 2016 provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards is an annual program aimed at recognizing the innovative and outstanding teaching that takes place every day in classrooms across Alberta. Throughout the winter, parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, and community members from across the province submitted nominations naming outstanding teachers, and principals, who made a difference. In total, 10 EIPS teachers were nominated and Edgecombe, Wells-Taylor, Werner, and Woodard were chosen by the province as semifinalists.
"We have such an impressive group of teachers working within the Division and these four teachers are certainly among them," says Trina Boymook, the board chair at EIPS. "Their enthusiasm, energy, and sincere desire to reach each of their students makes them truly outstanding, and we are incredibly proud."
Edgecombe, Wells-Taylor, Werner, and Woodard are four of 30 educators selected as semifinalists in this year's Excellence in Teaching Awards, which were determined by a selection committee and based on set criteria. All four EIPS teachers stood out for their innovative and creative learning practices, their standout leadership skills, their capacity to instill confidence in students, and their innate ability to encourage a love for learning.
"Time-and-time again, all four of these teachers are able to make being a student in their classrooms an interesting journey," says Boymook, "We are fortunate to have them, and the many other teachers within the Division who are doing remarkable things in our classrooms on a daily basis."
Semifinalists will each receive $1,500 for additional professional learning activities. The program continues on June 4, 2016 where 20 provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards finalists will be chosen from the list of semifinalists and honoured at a dinner and awards ceremony.
EIPS is one of Alberta's largest school divisions, serving approximately 16,900 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.
