St. Theresa School Teacher selected ASBA Zone 1 Edwin Parr Award Recipient
Posted on September 25
Deborah Gladue-McLeod (middle) celebrates with other Edwin Parr nominees
Northland School Division No.61 (NSD61) congratulates St. Theresa School Teacher Deborah Gladue-McLeod for being selected the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Zone 1 Edwin Parr Teacher Award recipient.
The Edwin Parr Teacher Award recognizes first year teachers who demonstrate exemplary dedication and commitment in the field of education.
Gladue-McLeod, who teaches grade one at St. Theresa School in Wabasca-Desmarais, is the first NSD61 educator to win the Zone One Edwin Parr Teacher Award.
“It is still sinking in right now but I am extremely honoured and happy” said Gladue-McLeod. “I would like to thank my family, St. Theresa School, Northland School Division and the Edwin Parr Committee. I love what I do and it doesn’t feel like work for me.”
“We are delighted with the announcement of Deborah’s accomplishment,” said St. Theresa School Principal Mandi MacLennan. “Deb is a hardworking, dedicated, positive member of our staff who places students first in all that she does. She is the epitome of a role model for our students, and community.”
“We are so proud of Deborah,” said St. Theresa School Vice-Principal Shelley Stevenson. “She is an awesome teacher, a dedicated teacher and students love her. She is not only dedicated to the classroom but to the whole school.”
“The Northland Family is very proud of Deborah’s achievement,” said Donna Barrett, Superintendent of Schools. “Deborah is not only an excellent teacher but she is also a caring and respected resident of Wabasca-Desmarais. She inspires students, staff, parents and community members to pursue dreams and to never give up.”
Deborah, who is from Wabasca, is praised for developing lesson plans to help students succeed and make connections.
“Family is essentially the most important need in my eyes and making those connections for students has been a top priority,” said Gladue-McLeod. “I try to meet all learning styles because if my students express themselves best through drawing or by explaining themselves verbally, then it is always honoured and respected. Just because someone cannot read or write doesn’t mean they are not capable of learning and that is why I have my students demonstrate their learning through projects, presentations or simulations.”
Gladue-McLeod graduated from the Aboriginal Teachers Education Program (ATEP) in 2013. She adds she is thankful to many institutions for her success and believes that ATEP has helped her develop into the teacher she has become.
“NSD61 has always been supportive in my determination to pursue my career when I wanted to become a teacher assistant and then a teacher,” said Gladue-McLeod. “I am thankful to the University of Alberta, Northland School Division and Northern Lakes College for developing ATEP. I am also thankful to Bigstone Cree Nation.”
Deborah will be recognized at the ASBA Fall General Meeting on November 17th in Edmonton.