Grade 2 French immersion teacher Josee-Lyne Seguin from École Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School in Cochrane was one of 20 teachers honoured at the 2013 Excellence in Teaching award celebration on May 25 in Edmonton.
“I’m very grateful,” Seguin said. “I’m honoured to have been nominated but mostly I’m grateful because I have a job I’m passionate about.”
“The individuals chosen for this award are nothing short of remarkable, they represent the best of Alberta,” said Education Minister Jeff Johnson in a press release.
Seguin has been a teacher with Rocky View Schools since 1989 and said she loves collaborating with colleagues at her school to provide more opportunities for her students.
The recognition rewards Alberta teachers and principals who “demonstrate leadership, creativity and innovation,” explains a press release from the Province.
The school’s principal Joanne Tardif-Maisonneuve nominated Seguin in part because of the technology she uses in the classroom.
Seguin said she has her students record in detail a picture or drawing they created.
The student then listens to the recording and decides if they want to make changes and reflect on the recording.
The recording has to have a lot of detail and should be about one-and-a-half minutes long.
She said the technique helps to develop oral French in the students and enhances learning.
Award recipients will receive up to $4,000 each for professional development. Though Seguin hasn’t decided what she will use the funds for, she said it will have something to do with bringing technology into the classroom.
“I’m a teacher for my students and am always looking for something for not only myself but also my students,” she said.
This is the 25th year the Excellence in Teaching Award program has been in operation. Since the program originated in 1989, there has been more than 9,000 teachers and principals nominated and more than 500 awards given out.
