First-year teacher Sierra Havinga has been nominated for the Edwin Parr Award.

Havinga teaches at École Okotoks Junior High School and grew up going to public school in the Foothills.

Havinga shone in her interview with the FSD Board Trustees sharing her gratitude and thoughts on creating a welcoming space for students, encouraging the proper growth mindset, and showing how skills learned in the classroom also apply across the curriculum.

Some of her backgrounds assisted her in her development as a teacher including teaching piano from the age of 15, along with her undergraduate degree in Law & Society allowing her different perspectives. Some courses also included Law and Indigenous Studies, Astronomy, and South Asian Studies.

Havinga went to the University of Calgary to achieve her Bachelor of Education.

Two outstanding candidates were nominated from within the Foothills School Division, with the other nominee being Allison Mulhall from Meadow Ridge School.

Mulhall was praised for her deep student connections, caring relationships, innovative teaching, and continual growth and learning. 

The Edwin Parr Award is handed out to six first-year teachers in Alberta.

Mr. Edwin Parr was a school board Trustee and president of the Alberta School Trustees Association from 1956 – 1962. The award was established in 1964. The 2024 Zone 5 Edwin Parr recipient will be announced at the recognition dinner taking place in May.