Maureen McCann was both excited and shocked to learn of her recent nomination by Rocky View Schools for the Edwin Parr Award.
McCann, a Grade 6 teacher at RancheView School, said it's a privilege to be a nominee for the annual Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) award, which is given to six outstanding first-year teachers across the province.
"I'm incredibly honoured," said McCann, adding that being a first-year teacher has been a challenge.
"Knowing some of the stuff the other great first-year teachers are doing as well, it's incredibly flattering. I give my kudos to all of them," she said.
The educator joined the Grade 6 class in mid-October, after two other teachers had already stood at the helm at the beginning of the school year.
She said it's been tough but rewarding to build relationships with her students, who were understandably weary of another teacher coming in to lead the class after already being taught by two others.
"Being able to make those connections with the students and then being able to see their growth over the last six months that I've been with them, it's really fun to see," said McCann.
"The kids grow into their own, through academic growth and personal growth. Their friendships are blooming, too, and it's exciting to kind of see that part of it."
McCann was inspired to become a teacher after years of watching her mother work in the field of education. She grew up hanging out in her mom's classroom in the summer, spending time with other teachers in the staff room and watching her mom mark students' work at home.
"I knew that I loved working with kids and so it just seemed natural to take that step and become a teacher," said McCann. "I think watching my mom do it and spending those summers helping her out in the classroom kind of solidified it for me."
Although she is only about six months into her teaching career, McCann believes she is on the right path.
"As a first-year teacher, there's a lot of questions. There's a lot of stuff to learn," she said.
"Getting that connection with the kids, building that trust and knowing you're guiding them on their journey in life ... it's hard to put into words. You're trying to do your best to help them love coming to school every day and to learn new things. That's important to me."
McCann is nominated for the award in Zone 5 of the ASBA and will be honoured, along with other nominated first-year teachers across the province, at the association's Edwin Parr event held on May 30.
