Cameron Rittinger coaching baseball students at Medicine Hat High School on Tuesday. (Lisa Parent/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat High School teacher recognized with provincial award

May 21, 2024 | 4:33 PM

A teacher at Medicine Hat High School has won an award for outstanding achievement in Health and Physical Education.

Cameron Rittinger received the Certificate of Commendation Award recently from the Health and Physical Education Council through the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

Rittinger runs the baseball academy at the Medicine Hat High School, and is the coach of the high school baseball team.

Cameron Rittinger talking with a baseball student at Medicine Hat High School on Tuesday. (CHAT News)

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He has coached several sports over the past 17 years.

Outside of baseball, Rittinger has also coached badminton, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and golf.

With only two teachers in Alberta recipients of the award Rittinger said he was humbled to win.

“I never do any of this for recognition or anything like that, especially the extracurricular sports,” Rittinger said.

“It means a lot to be recognized, because that’s not why we do this. There’s tons of other teachers and coaches out there that are deserving of this and when only one can win it in the south, it definitely means a lot.”

Rittinger add that he spends a lot of time away from his family to help, but feels it’s rewarding to give kids opportunities through sports including those who might not play outside of what is offered at the school.

“Giving our local kids an extra chance to get involved in something and wear the jersey that says Medicine Hat High School is really important to me,” Rittinger said.

“Tech runs everything, so anything as far as it’s in the classroom or out of the classroom, anytime you’re getting physical work in, it’s important for not only physical health, but mental health.”