Education

Teachers honoured with nominations and new additions to award program

Alberta’s 2008 Excellence in Teaching Awards semi-finalists announced

Edmonton... Recognizing their dedication and innovation, 130 Alberta teachers have been chosen as semi-finalists for the 20th Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards. The semi-finalists were selected from 334 eligible nominations. New to this year’s awards are the addition of professional development opportunities to acknowledge the important role teachers have in student education.

“Many of us have known teachers and principals who inspired us with their words and their deeds,” said Dave Hancock, Minister of Education. “These awards recognize teachers and principals for their significant contributions to the education of our students, as well as support professional development opportunities that will have a positive impact on students.”

Nominees for the Excellence in Teaching Awards show leadership, demonstrate creativity and innovation, work collaboratively with colleagues, and create positive and stimulating learning environments that motivate students to exceed their own expectations. Semi-finalists and finalists are chosen by a committee made up of representatives from the education community, and each nomination includes a statement of support from the nominee’s principal or superintendent, a teaching colleague, and a member of the public.

To increase the recognition of these accomplishments, the new program additions include:

• Support for the 130 semi-finalists to access up to $1,500 to attend an education conference of their choice;
• Support for the 20 finalists to access up to $4,000 to attend an education conference of their choice;
• Special celebration dinners in Edmonton and Calgary for the semi-finalists; and
• An acknowledgment certificate signed by the Education Minister for each eligible nominee in recognition of their work with Alberta students.
  

As in previous years, the three teachers who receive SMARTer Kids Foundation Innovative Use of Technology Awards will receive a comprehensive technology package, which includes a SMART board for their use. The 23 award finalists will be formally honoured at a dinner and awards ceremony with the Education Minister in Calgary on May 10.

“Teaching is a valued profession and I commend all nominees and the semi-finalists for their achievements and their dedication,” said Hancock. “The Excellence in Teaching Awards is a community’s way to thank those teachers and principals who go above and beyond the call of duty in the classroom every day.”

Alberta Education hosts the 20th Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards with the support of the Alberta School Councils’ Association, the Alberta School Boards Association, The Alberta Teachers’ Association, the Edmonton Journal and the SMARTer Kids Foundation.  Albertans have celebrated Excellence in Teaching since 1989, with over 7,900 teachers nominated and more than 400 award recipients. Details about the Excellence in Teaching Awards, including the awards criteria, past honorees and nomination information, are available at www.education.alberta.ca under the teachers tab.

Backgrounder

2008 Provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards Semi-finalists

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