Mar. 14, 2017
For first year CBE teacher Kira Anderson, teaching is an adventure. Her exploratory nature, as well as her energy and passion for teaching have resulted in her being named as the Calgary Board of Education’s 2017 nominee for the prestigious Edwin Parr Teacher Award.
As a Fashion Studies and Communication Technology teacher at Terry Fox School, Anderson jumped into her new position the day before her students arrived for the first day of classes.
Anderson’s principal, Pat Kaiserseder, says that she “embodies the essence of contributing to a school culture that encourages and supports learning.”
Her dynamic, inviting personality and drive to have open communication helps her to make her lessons relatable and to provide her students an opportunity to be heard.
Her student Josh says, “Ms. Anderson is more than a teacher, she is there to listen. She wants students to develop something that we can be proud of and will want to take home.”
Beyond the classroom Anderson has become a member of the school’s technology, professional learning and social committees. She runs an Anime lunch club and is co-directing the upcoming school play. Earlier this year she hosted an Hour of Code for a large group of eager students.
Anderson summarizes her first year of teaching by saying: “Being a first-year teacher is just like an adventure. There are challenges for me and my students but we also have a lot of moments of epic success. There are battles and other mentors that help us along our quest. There are rewards and moments where students shine. Just as we think an adventure is about to end, a new one appears.”
The Edwin Parr Teacher Award is given annually to a novice teacher who demonstrates initial teaching proficiency. If she is selected as the zone winner, she will be recognized along with the five other zone winners from across Alberta at a ceremony this fall.
