FOOTHILLS SCHOOL DIVISION NO. 38
First Year Teacher Ms. Jessie McCauley Honoured as 2020/2021 Edwin Parr Award Nominee

Foothills School Division congratulations Jessie McCauley as the recipient of Foothills School Division's Edwin Parr Award nomination for 2020-2021!  With this nomination Jessie will now represent the Division at the zone level.

Jessie shared with the interview panel that her passion for education began when she volunteered in her mom's school as a teenager and was later solidified with the modeling of excellent teachers in her own education. This guided Jessie to pursue her Bachelor of Education at Mount Royal University with a focus on Elementary Education in 2019. Ms. McCauley is truly grateful for the honour of being nominated for the Edwin Parr Award. In her interview with Trustees, she praised both collaborative colleagues and supportive school leadership for her early teaching success. Jessie shared that she is proud and privileged to be working with such amazing students at both École Senator Riley Middle School (ÉSRMS) & Meadow Ridge School (MRS). 

Jessie McCauley was supported in her nomination from school leadership at both ÉSRMS & MRS where from September 2020 - December 2020 she taught middle school humanities at ÉSRMS and January 2021 to June 2021 she is a Grade 8 generalist providing instruction in all core 4 subjects at MRS. In the nomination for Ms. McCauley Principal James Holladay from ÉSRMS and Principal Rebecca Forchuk from MRS speak to the opportunity for student voice and choice in learning, the concept-based learning that transfers across subjects and curriculum, and the welcoming inclusive environment that is created for students. 

FSD's Board and Executive congratulate Jessie and all nominees for their commitment to student learning. Their passion for their chosen profession and deep caring for their students was highly evident in their presentations to the selection committee.

The Edwin Parr Teacher Award is presented to six outstanding first-year teachers across the province of Alberta. Mr. Edwin Parr was a school board Trustee and president of the Alberta School Trustees Association from 1956 - 1962. To honour his legacy, ASBA established this award in his name in 1964.