Mallaig School’s Elisabeth Kirk nominated for teaching award

St. Paul Education announced their nominee for the provincial Edwin Parr Award on Mar. 26, selecting Mallaig teacher Elisabeth Kirk for the honour.

The award is presented to six first year teachers across Alberta in the fall with individual zones of the Alberta School Boards Association honouring their nominees at separate events during the year. It is named for Edwin Parr, who served as a long-time trustee and established an annual teacher award in his school jurisdiction in the early 1900s.

Kirk is a French immersion teacher at Mallaig School teaching Grade 3/4. According to Mallaig School principal Kellie Handford, Kirk is hardworking, enthusiastic, and innovative.

“She is incredibly caring and values the importance of building relationships with staff, students and parents. Elisabeth has vast subject knowledge and she is committed to building a strong French Immersion program within our school. Her awareness to support and include all students with different learning needs is evident in her instruction,” said Handford.

Raised in St. Albert, Kirk studied at the University of Alberta before accepting a teaching position in Mallaig.

While COVID-19 has certainly made the year different than she expected it to be, she said it hasn’t been as challenging as could be expected.

“I lucked out with an amazing class, an incredible school to work at, with welcoming staff and administration who are always providing me with support. Teaching during a pandemic has changed some things for me but adjusting has not really been a challenge because that is all I have ever known. Pandemic or not, students need to learn and I need to provide that learning environment that allows students to be successful in the classroom.”

Also nominated by school boards in the Lakeland Region are Lac La Biche’s Haley Ozga and Vilna’s Steven Yakimec.