Jessica Billingsley Nominated for Provincial Teaching Award

Light of Christ Catholic School Teacher Jessica Billingsley is Lakeland Catholic School District’s 2017 Nominee for Edwin Parr Award

Lakeland Catholic School District is pleased to announce Jessica Billingsley as their nominee for the 2017 Edwin Parr Teacher Award. This award recognizes outstanding first year teachers in Alberta. Every year the ASBA (Alberta School Boards’ Association) honours six outstanding first-year teachers with this award. School boards may nominate any first-year Kindergarten to Grade 12 teacher who has taught in an Alberta school jurisdiction.

Jessica said, “I am humbled by this nomination and feel honoured to be acknowledged. As a first year teacher and employee of Lakeland Catholic School District, I am so grateful for the dedicated leadership and mentorship I have encountered both within my school and the district. This support has made my first year of teaching truly enjoyable and memorable.”
Jessica was born and raised in Vegreville, Alberta. She always desired to teach in a rural setting completing her teaching practicums at schools in Vegreville and Mundare. She is a kindergarten teacher at Light of Christ Catholic School in Lac La Biche.

Kindergarten students work hard and learn a lot in a short period of time. These students have great energy and enthusiasm for learning. Jessica says, “In our classroom, the children have the opportunity to grow and develop through a play-based learning environment incorporating different learning modalities to engage them and promote their achievement. I encourage students to explore, discover and interact with each other throughout the day as they learn just as much from their peers as they do from me. I ensure a safe and caring space where students are encouraged to celebrate their successes with myself and with each other. We explore the world around us and we have a lot of fun doing this.”
Jessica is an exceptional first year teacher who seeks opportunities to share her gifts and talents with students, staff and families throughout the community. She is part of the cleaning group at her local parish and she participates in ministries with other teaching staff at Light of Christ Catholic School. Sharing her love of fine arts, Jessica has taken the initiative to start an Art Club for upper elementary students at her school this year. She is also the Religious Education Representative for her school.

Jessica said, “I took the position at Lakeland Catholic because I was excited to be part of a brand new school where we can all grow together; I was also attracted to the culture of the district, everyone is so welcoming and supportive.” Lakeland Catholic School District is proud of their 2017 Edwin Parr Nominee and would like to thank Jessica for her commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.