HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL DIVISION
Edwin Parr Nominee Selected

Holy Spirit Catholic School Division is proud to announce that Ms. Zara Johnson, a first year teacher at St. Joseph School in Coaldale, has been selected as the division's Edwin Parr nominee for the 2022/2023 school year. The Edwin Parr Award recognizes excellence in teachers beginning their professional careers.

Born and raised in Golden, British Columbia, Zara moved to Lethbridge in 2017 to attend the University of Lethbridge. In 2022, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degree. She received a major in General Social Sciences with disciplinary streams in Kinesiology, Psychology and Indigenous Studies, as well as a major in Physical Education and a minor in Mathematics Education. While serving as an intern at Children of St. Martha School in Lethbridge, Zara was the 2022 recipient of the "Wigham Family Professional Inquiry Project Award," which recognizes individuals who demonstrate significant professional learning. This past September, she began her teaching career, accepting a Grade 1 position at St. Joseph School.

"Zara is one of strongest first year teachers I have had the pleasure of working with," notes Brent Christensen, Principal of St. Joseph School. "She is extremely competent in the classroom and her infectious personality has had a tremendously positive impact on our school. Zara approaches education from a unique perspective, engaging her students by asking questions rather than giving directions. The results speak for themselves - I am so proud of her and her students for the growth they have shown this year."

Deputy Superintendent Michelle MacKinnon notes that she has been very impressed at Zara's initiative and relationship building. "She has started a Student Teacher Wellness Club at the school, giving the Grade 5 students responsibility to teach and lead games for the younger students during recess. She collaborated with the Coaldale Bakery, asking them to bake a cookie recipe developed by her students, and they graciously donated their time so that the school could sell the cookies to raise over $1000 for the foodbank. Honestly, hearing about the projects that Zara has spearheaded in her first year of teaching has been really inspiring."

"I know there are a lot of first year teachers who are working really hard, so I certainly feel honoured to be selected as the division's nominee," says Zara. "Building positive, productive and meaningful relationships with students and their families is at the heart of my teaching practice. The family that I have come to know and love at St. Joseph School has provided me with irreplaceable experiences as I begin my teaching career."

Please join the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division in congratulating Zara Johnson on being selected as this year's Edwin Parr nominee.