Sarah Morter teaches virtual class from the online Hub. (CHAT News Photo/Colton McKee)

By Chris Brown

Edwin Parr Teacher Award nominees

First-year teachers are inspiring and being inspired

Apr 16, 2021 | 3:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Getting ready for her first year as a teacher in September, Sarah Morter had to learn a whole new style of teaching that her years at college and university didn’t prepare her for.

Instead of teaching in front of a class, she’s in front of a screen.

She says in many ways it feels like a regular classroom thanks to the relationships she’s built with her students.

But sometimes it becomes pretty obvious it’s anything but regular.

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“We just finished classroom chemistry actually and it was funny. The few weeks we were doing chemistry experiments I had 27 students in their kitchen with rubber gloves on, safety glasses, all their ingredients lined up and ready to go,” she said. “And it’s so unique, such a different environment that we are in and that they’re learning at home but what a positive way to really teach and engage them that way.”

Morter’s ability to connect with the students from afar earned her the Medicine Hat Public School Division’s nomination for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award for first-year teachers.

READ MORE: The nomination from MHPSD

The Grade 5 teacher at the online Hub says building those relationships with students is the foundation of teaching.

“If you have a relationship with all of your students you are on the right path to success and I can confidently say I love each and every one of my students and I have different relationships with all of them,” Morter said.

Morter said the virtual classroom has shown her a new path in teaching, one she intends to follow in the future.

“I love online learning I think it’s amazing. There’s so many benefits to it. We have so many students and families thriving in this environment it was meant for them I think and it far exceeded my expectations,” she said.

Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education nominee Taylyn Weisgerber has been teaching in the traditional way this year.

Taylyn Weisgerber teaches at Ecole St. John Paul II. (CHAT News Photo/Colton McKee)

So not only did she have the usual jitters anyone has starting a new career, she had to navigate welcoming students back to school after more than five months away.

“The students have to come in and feel safe and comfortable. There’s a lot of things outside the school that have been scary and kind of make the students feel uncomfortable,” said the Grade 2/3 teacher at Ecole St. John Paul II School.

She established hallway conversations so students could have uninterrupted time with her.

“We can remove ourselves and just have time one-on-one where they can share anything they like,” Weisgerber said. “Good, bad, just stories anything just to build those relationships and let the students know that there’s a comfortable place for them and it’s safe for them.”

READ MORE: The nomination from MHCBE

Of all the things she learned this year, Weisgerber says the impact that the students had on her stands out.

“They’ve truly inspired me I get up in the morning and I’m inspired to go to work, I’m excited to see them,” she said. “I didn’t realize the impact the students would have, especially this year.”

Brittney Peters, the Prairie Rose Public School nominee, lights up talking about the impact her students have had on her.

“They are the light of my life,” said the Grade 1/2 and 8/9 CTF teacher at Burdett School. “Out of any of the years to get to be a teacher, this is the year. Because had it been COVID and had I been in school, I don’t know that I would be this successful. These kids are my inspiration.”

Brittney Peters teaches at Burdett School. (Image from Prairie Rose Public Schools)

READ MORE: The nomination from PRPS

Peters says the smiles she sees when her kiddos are sharing new and exciting with her put a smile on her face. It’s the same if they’re sharing something old, like a rock, for instance.

“I have a collection of pet rocks on my desk right now because it is the new joy of our life,” she said. “It’s springtime so we can see the ground so Ms. Peters obviously needs pet rocks. Their smiles, their smiles are … make me happy.”

Each school board in the province nominates one teacher for the award annually. One teacher from each zone will be honoured at the Alberta School Boards Association conference in the fall.