2011 Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient Biographies

 

GERALD CHUNG
Bev Facey Community High School
Elk Island Public Schools Regional Division

Gerald Chung is a highly respected Advanced Placement (AP) Computing Science teacher.  He has the distinction of being one of only six Canadian Educators qualified to mark AP Computing Science Exams for the College Board. 

Gerald had been instrumental in starting new technology programs at the school. One such innovation is creating the class CompWorks that allows students to work on their IT Essentials for CISCO and their A+ Computer repair certificate from Comptia.

Gerald has also coached basketball for years at the school and regularly attends coaching clinics to improve his skills in this area.

Besides his work with high school students, Gerald also provides in-service training sessions for educators. He familiarizes teaching colleagues with the latest teaching strategies in Information Communication Technology Programs of Study. After attending one of these sessions a colleague commented that the in-service that Gerald provided was the most valuable he had attended in his 25 years of teaching.

ROB COUMONT
St. Patrick’s Community School
Red Deer Catholic Regional Division

Rob Coumont prides himself in making connections with his students in meaningful ways by creating a safe and caring atmosphere for the large population of English as Second Language learners in his classroom. Rob uses a Wall Wisher posting site to keep in touch while they are away from class for extended periods of time visiting their home countries.

Rob has built a community of strategic thinkers by teaching his students through inquiry-based methods. Using interactive resources from SMART Notebook his students have acquired a variety of innovative options for demonstrating their learning.

At St. Pat’s, Rob is the Learning Coach and as the Lead Teacher in the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) literacy project he is often asked to present at professional development events or to work one-on–one with other teachers. He created a Coaching for Learning website that offers a variety of technology resources that have been used by staff members.

MARY ANN DOBSON
J. Percy Page School
Edmonton School District

Mary Ann Dobson has fostered creativity in students ranging from Art 10-4 to Art 30 IB and has arranged for the delivery of locally developed courses to allow exceptional students to proceed with their learning and growth as artists.  She has created an atmosphere where her students feel safe to explore the visual arts.

Students are inspired to get involved and stay in the arts through real world applications of their work throughout the community. 

Mary Ann’s Art Club has completed mural projects at the school, a community baseball dugout, and a wall at the Today Centre (a family violence crisis centre) and exhibited their works at the Shaw conference Centre and the Edmonton International Airport.

This curatorial aspect of her practice, coupled with her collaborative spirit, her pedagogical practices and artistic talents make Mary Ann an excellent teacher offering her students an abundance of opportunities.

CHARLES GACHNANG
Rosslyn School
Edmonton School District

Charles Gachnang has taught at Rosslyn School for the past two years.  He opened the Interactions (Autism) Program in 2009.  This program started with seven students and has increased to fifteen students because Charles has created such a special place.

Charles, a truly innovative and creative teacher, has the ability to bring together a diverse group of learners and create a classroom space that allows all to be successful, valued and reach their fullest potential. 

The huge gains seen in his classroom are a direct result of Charles knowing all his students as individuals and attending to their unique requirements as learners.

Through professional development opportunities, Charles discovered the organization Dogs with Wings. This program trains therapy dogs to work with persons with disabilities. As a result Eddie, a beautiful golden lab/retriever cross, works in the classroom as a valued staff member loved by all.

RICK GILSON
Grand Prairie Composite High School
Grand Prairie School District

Rick Gilson is the principal of the largest composite high school north of Edmonton.  He strives to meet the learning needs of all students and staff who enter the school.

Rick leads the High School Flexibility Project for his school.  His vision for student success has involved a 75-minute period within which students can do homework, access teachers, meet in clubs and participate in other student activities.

Rick exemplifies the school motto, “Everyone Learning Everyday” as he is completing his Ph.D. studies without ever having missed a day of work.

Rick shares his leadership skills by helping build the leadership capacity of his fellow administrators across the District.  He has led collaborative discussions on “Inspiring Action” both for planning and reflective purposes. 

At the school, Rick leads by example. He embodies the school’s core values and has made his personal cell phone number available to students for easy access to his advice and counsel.  

DANIEL GRASSICK
Rideau Park School
Calgary School District

Dan Grassick has a deep-rooted passion for teaching and commitment to learning.  He enthusiastically shares his understanding of the sciences to help his students unravel the mysterious nature of the world. 

To fully engage the long-term memory of students, he embeds the principles of brain-based learning into his teaching by developing immersive hands-on and multi-sensory experiences that are complex and interactive. And the students love it!

Mr. Grassick creates a learning environment where students have a voice and multiple opportunities to personalize learning.  He knows that middle school students must be taught to be metacognitive and self-aware.  Students are encouraged to build, draw and move as they learn to experience and enjoy maximized engagement.

Each year Mr. Grassick goes off-campus with students and colleagues for over twenty-five days of rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, sailing or exploring tidal pools. His students’ achievements constantly demonstrate his core value of developing the whole student.

DANIEL HIRD
Drumheller Valley Secondary School
Golden Hills School Division

Drumheller Composite High School has been privileged to have Dan Hird teach its students for the past 25 years.  He has held a variety of teaching assignments but most often worked in mathematics. 

Dan, the Math Department Head, is an incredible resource for new teachers. Dan has been instrumental in keeping the school staff and student body aware of the newest innovations in teaching mathematics and the tools available to make the process simpler.

Perhaps Dan’s greatest strength as a teacher is in making math fun. This approach makes math enjoyable and accessible for the average student.  At Christmas he has students create homemade Christmas ornaments representing various mathematical concepts to decorate a “math” tree.

Dan’s endless energy keeps him constantly looking for ways to do a better job of delivering the curriculum. His coaching of volleyball and golf teams has helped several athletes compete in post secondary activities.

LORI HOGUE
William Aberhart High School
Calgary School District

As a Learning Leader of Special Education and the Alternative Learning Program (ALP) teacher, Lori Hogue is caring, fair and consistent in her approach to students. Students in her program appreciate her sense of humour and generous spirit and also find Ms. Hogue to be an outstanding teacher.

The Special Education Programs and the School Student Learning Team have grown and improved every year under Lori’s leadership.  This is a direct result of her relentless dedication and outstanding ability to encourage and motivate teachers and educational assistants to be the best they can be.

Lori creates an integration plan for each student and has an “open door” policy with classroom teachers to help them more clearly understand meaningful integration.

Lori developed a format for transitional planning long before the government directed this initiative. Her “Option Sampler” course gives grade 10 students and teachers 4-6 weeks to evaluate their placement.

GLYN HUGHES
George McDougall High School
Rocky View School Division

Glyn Hughes teaches Social Studies 10, 20, and 30 and his class sessions are as exciting to his students as his extra curricula activities are to the broader school community.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Hughes remains an educator.  He engages the entire student body in initiatives that reach out around the globe. 

From the creation of Students for Change (S4C) to actively supporting many NGOs all over the world, Glyn’s students are constantly motivated and inspired by unique opportunities that are discovered through exploring social justice.

Glyn’s leadership and his students active involvement resulted in George McDougall High School being designated a UNESCO school, a great honour.

Mr. Hughes is a teacher. A leader.  A humanitarian.  He is the embodiment of what we hope educators and their students will be in our schools: passionate, committed, knowledgeable global citizens who bring out the best in all of us.

CAROLYN HUNTER
Elmer S. Gish School
St. Albert Protestant Separate School District

Carolyn Hunter has often demonstrated her educational versatility by teaching a variety of grade levels from kindergarten through grade 8.

She currently teaches the core subjects of mathematics, language arts, social studies and science to grade 5 students. They demonstrate great enthusiasm, enjoyment and satisfaction as they rise to every challenge Carolyn presents to them.

Carolyn works tirelessly promoting best teaching practices and developing exceptional resources for teachers to use in their classrooms.  She always encourages those around her to improve their own teaching practice. Carolyn follows up potentially useful ideas with research and action.  She is a professional development champion within her school and the district.

As the Cogito lead teacher in the school, Carolyn mentors new teachers, attends monthly meetings and leads staff in breakout sessions during staff meetings. Under her leadership, the Cogito Program teacher participation and student enrollment has substantially increased.

BRAD KAMINSKY
M.E. LaZerte School
Edmonton School District

Brad’s classroom is a caring and welcoming place where students can express their ideas, aspirations and fears in written and other forms of media. 

Brad makes himself available to past and present students. Often former students return to discuss careers, educational options and personal triumphs as Brad’s initial impact on their lives has been transformative.

M.E. LaZerte is a better place to work and learn because Brad makes key contributions to the cultural climate of the school.  He organizes Read-In Week, coaches Speech and Debate, hosts and organizes a Provincial Speech Tournament, and accompanies students to Leadership Conferences.

He also serves on the Keep M.E. Safe initiative to educate staff about workplace violence.

Brad also started the Pets and Animal Wellness Student Group (PAWS).  He found students who shared his concerns for the rights of animals and together they raise awareness and support for this cause.

MELISSA KERR
Lakeland Ridge School
Elk Island Public Schools Regional Division

Melissa Kerr is a gifted and committed teacher.  Some of the educational technology skills Melissa has developed are a result of her involvement in the Emerge one-on-one laptop project for the past three years, a project she embraced wholeheartedly.

Through the use of project and inquiry-based daily instruction in her junior high science and option classes, Melissa is able to teach, motivate and inspire her students to be critical thinkers and independent learners. 

Melissa’s students learn how to use technology and  they learn to question, think, create, collaborate and evaluate.  Melissa facilitates development of her students’ skills far beyond what junior high students are normally expected to achieve.

Melissa communicates with parents and students through her e-teacher page on the school website or through websites specifically designed for each course. Melissa is truly an exceptional classroom teacher who takes full advantage of technology.

SARAH L’HOIR KOLBERG
St. Clement Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
Edmonton Catholic Separate School District

In Sarah’s grade 5 classroom students perform well because she goes “above and beyond” to create a stimulating learning environment and to design interesting learning activities.

Sarah’s classroom is a case study of how inclusion and differentiation work in order to maximize student achievement.

Sarah’s classroom is the only one in the school where children can be found sitting on exercise balls, working with assistive technologies, or using various other items as a means of meeting their unique sensory or attentive needs. She is an inspiration to her colleagues and always willing to share new ideas with them.

Under her direction students research topics they are passionate about, create displays and present their findings to the entire school. 

At the heart of Sarah’s teaching is the core belief that each student has the ability to realize success in and out of the classroom. She believes that every student has unique talents.

JILLEEN LABONTE
St. Patrick’s Community School
Red Deer Catholic Regional Division

Jilleen Labonte excels at fostering the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth of her students.  She prides herself in making connections with her grade 3 students in meaningful ways and ensures their voices are heard and valued in a safe and caring environment.

Recognizing there were a large number of English as Second Language learners within the school community, Jill initiated a Provincial Achievement Test (PAT) parent meeting. During the meeting, she explained and discussed the PAT structure providing support to both students and their parents.

As a division expert in effective teaching and assessment strategies for blended classrooms, Jill continues to meet with teachers throughout the district to discuss successful support strategies.

Jill also worked closely with RCMP resource officers to create interactive health lessons to replace the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. All her efforts help her students become active participants in their own learning

TERRY LAKEY
Joseph Welsh Elementary School
Red Deer Public School District

Within the walls of his grade 4 classroom Terry Lakey coordinates and delivers curriculum using innovative and learner-centred activities.  Lessons consistently relate to relevant life experiences.  Terry focuses on students’ strengths and uses computer programs such as “Read & Write Gold” to ensure all students experience success.

Terry has introduced his students to ‘geo-caching.’  He climbed Hart Mountain and planted the class mission statement at the summit.  The project has generated interest and participation from others, and Terry’s students follow such contributions via the internet. 

Terry takes pride in his First Nations heritage and is highly respected by both the educational and broader community for his knowledge and integrity.

A huge component of Terry’s classroom approach is his desire for character development in every student.  He has taken a strong leadership role in the school’s focus on character education based on the ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’.

ANGELA MUELLER
Our Lady of the Rosary School
Red Deer Catholic Regional Division

Angela Mueller constantly creates and shapes a stimulating learning environment for her kindergarten students. “Winter Walk Day”, “Great Big Crunch Day”, and “Culture Day” are organized by Angela to encourage students to be engaged and to stay active for life!

Angela facilitates learning both inside and outside the classroom by partnering with a local farm so that her students can plant and harvest a vegetable garden. Creating partnerships and encouraging collaborative efforts between her students, their families and the community is a prime example of her leadership abilities.

Her constant stream of memos and e-mails to parents keep them informed of field trips and current learning adventures.

As a health champion in the school, Angela provides her colleagues with a variety of movement break techniques and exercises that can be implemented in all classrooms to support best practice and current brain research. 

KYRIL MUELLER
Greenfield School
Edmonton School District

As a grade 6 teacher, and Assistant Principal, Kyril Mueller devotes much of his time and energy to planning and assessment strategies.  To ensure that all students will be deeply engaged and championed as leaders to maximize their own success.

There is great anticipation from families to have “Monsieur” as their children’s teacher. He is a strong advocate for project-based, cooperative and hands-on learning. As Kyril makes his students accountable for their own assessment, students learn through group work to take risks and work cooperatively to achieve a common goal.  

Kyril is a key teacher and educational leader in the evolution of teaching and learning at École Greenfield School.  He is highly regarded by staff as he continues to transform the French Immersion program at Greenfield into one of the most innovative programs in the country.

Alberta Education relies on Kyril’s involvement for provincial achievement test development, review and field-testing. His students rely on him for inspiration and exciting learning opportunities.

GRACE PAGE
Joseph Welsh Elementary School
Red Deer Public School District

In Grace’s grade 5 classroom students work on a daily basis with younger students as reading buddies, study partners, peer mediators and mentors. Grace believes that community service is an integral part of the grade five educational experience.

Each of her students has completed a professional resume complete with references. These were used to apply for jobs within the school.

As a grade 1 literacy teacher, Grace works within the classroom rather than using a ‘pull-out’ approach, which has benefitted the self-esteem of the children.

Grace has been the lead teacher for the “7 Habits” implementation in the school.  The school’s Character and Leadership Program was highlighted in Dr. Stephen Covey’s book, The Leader in Me; How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time. 

Grace was instrumental in having Joseph Welsh School recognized as a “Leader In Me” Lighthouse School.

ADRIAN PAOLINELLI
St. Patrick’s Community School
Red Deer Catholic Regional Division

Adrian is an exceptional teacher who excels at fostering the development of the whole child. He prides himself on making connections and establishing rapport with students within the school’s large English as a Second Language population.

Adrian also works within the behavioral program, Turning Points, and at the grassroots level with Red Deer Catholic’s Sports Excellence Academy.

Within this Sports Academy, Adrian works with a wide range of student athletes to develop their hockey skills.  Students increase their athletic prowess as well as their personal relationship development thanks to Adrian’s careful and specific approach to each student as an individual.

As both coach and teacher, Adrian provides a strong role model for students.  He helps his students to become more pro-active citizens by empowering them to become involved in service learning projects.

NICK RIEMANN
A. Blair McPherson School
Edmonton School District

Nick Riemann’s junior high classrooms are filled with students who have previously met with little success.  His ability to connect and build an excitement of learning with his students enables them to participate confidently and develop a love of science.

Students who have previously spent most of their time avoiding class become contributing members through his one-on-one help and appropriately leveled reading materials.

His efforts to incorporate the MyEPSB Share portal extensively into his classroom routines and curricular material have paid educational dividends. His students have benefitted from his use of interdisciplinary projects and alternative learning opportunities.

Put simply, Nick Reimann loves school and at times it can be difficult to distinguish between his excitement and passion for learning about science from that of his students.

SARAH ROGERS
Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School
Calgary School District

One only has to sit in Sarah Rogers’ classroom to see how she uses positive relationships with her students to motivate and stimulate their learning. 

During her first year of teaching colleagues were so impressed with Sarah’s teaching and her students’ achievements that she was nominated for the Edwin Parr Award for Best First Year Teacher.

What impressed the school community most was that Sarah personalizes her students’ progress in English Language Arts and Journalism.  She offers students many choices and appreciates the value of their different ways of knowing and understanding. Her leadership in print and video media brilliantly displays her students’ talents.

A student commented, “It is easy to see how much her colleagues respect and enjoy working with Sarah just from seeing them flow in and out of her classroom throughout the day.  No matter what they came in for, they never fail to leave with a smile.” 

MÉLANIE VIDAL
École Notre-Dame des Vallées
Greater Southern Separate Catholic Francophone Education Region

Mélanie Vidal helps her grade 5 and 6 students to become confident motivated individuals through her encouraging words and actions. She formed an effective “Cooperation Council” that enhances the classroom environment. Mélanie has also implemented a variety of learning games to enable students with social challenges to participate more fully in classroom life.

Melanie infuses the Francophone culture into her teaching so her students are exposed to French music, festivals and common expressions.  Her students find learning about the culture exciting and are proud to share it with others.  She constantly mentors both new students and new teachers who need support by organizing projects such as Francophone Week and Friendship Mail.

Melanie has introduced innovative technologies such as SMART Boards, Santeo and wikis to the classroom, the school and the district.  She presented technology related projects at the Francophone Conference.

CORRIE YUSYPCHUK
Harry Ainlay School
Edmonton School District

Corrie Yusypchuk is a creative, confident, knowledgeable counselor. She is a winning Head Coach of the Senior Women’s Volleyball team, the developer of the Student Services webpage, and the Grad Banquet Advisor for approximately 800 grads.

As a leader on the school’s professional development team, Corrie is committed to supporting best teaching practices.  She is also an intuitive, kind and generous soul with a great sense of humor committed to supporting the Harry Ainlay School Community.

What makes Corrie so remarkable is her pursuit of excellence in all tasks.  The Career Centre she designed and runs uses technology to support students in their pursuit of lifelong learning.

As one former student wrote, “How lucky so many have been over the years to have the opportunity to be mentored by such a warm, loving, kind, knowledgeable, attentive, compassionate and thoughtful person.”