While being called down to the principal’s officer isn’t always a good thing, one local educator received a pleasant surprise.
That was when Emma Hull, Grade 5 teacher at Dr. Bernard Brosseau School, found out she is Lakeland Catholic School District’s (LCSD) 2019 nominee for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award.
“It was a really good feeling. I definitely like a surprise, because being in your first year, a lot of times you’re always reflecting ‘did I do this right?’ or ‘is this the best way to do it?’ You’re always thinking ‘next year, I’m going to do it differently,’ or ‘I always want to grow professionally,’” she said.
It was LCSD assistant superintendent Pamela Guilbault who informed Hull she was their choice for the honour.
The Alberta School Board Association Edwin Parr Award recognizes outstanding first-year teachers. Every year, six are chosen. Districts are allowed to select anyone teaching Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Guilbault said making a decision this year wasn’t easy.
“We chose Emma because of her outstanding instruction in her classroom, her ability to build and maintain deep relationships with her students and colleagues, and the way she has created relationships in the community. She now calls Bonnyville home, and she’s eager to plant roots here. All of these three attributes together create a culture in her classroom that is indicative of excellence in beginning teaching,” she detailed.
Hull described the nomination as incredible.
“I always want to be growing and figuring it out, so when someone tells you that what you’re doing is really good and you’ve been nominated, it’s quite an honour. To realize your efforts and a lot of the late nights of my thinking about reading stations and stuff like (that), to know that it’s been noticed, and I’ve been recognized for that is really good, because I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” expressed Hull.
She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher, and an experience with a fellow student in elementary school stands out. Hull helped a classmate with an assignment, and when he was able to answer a question, she saw a spark of understanding. It was that moment that laid the groundwork her future in education.
“He knew the answer, and I remember there was this light of knowing in his eyes and just understanding it... I guess just seeing the understanding in his eyes, that was one of my major reasons why I wanted to be a teacher,” she recalled.
She added, “My dad was also a teacher, as well. I always really liked helping people, I liked organizing things, being a leader and that kind of came with being a teacher. I just always knew what I wanted to do, and it was a passion of mine from being a little kid.”
After graduating from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Hull substituted before moving to Bonnyville in late August 2018.
“For (LCSD) to come to our school, our university, and say ‘hey, look, we need teachers. We know you know your stuff, and we want to offer you guys opportunities.’ For them to actually open their doors to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and allow us the opportunity to come and grow and be a community member in Alberta, that was amazing. I just want to thank them for the opportunities they’ve given me to grow,” she expressed.
The awards banquet will take place Tuesday, May 24.
