By Taylor Chartrand

Local instructor Wyatt Sehn named as Edwin Parr Teacher Award nominee

Apr 6, 2019 | 12:31 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Grade 7 teacher Wyatt Sehn from St. Mary’s School, has been selected as the nominee for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award by the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education.

The award recognizes teachers for their outstanding job during their first year of educating.

Sehn says although it may only be a nomination, it means a lot to him.

“Just to be considered to be nominated is important to me,” explained Sehn. “It’s nice to see that the administration and people around you think you’re doing a good job.”

Sehn says although teaching teenagers can be tough at times, it’s a job he wouldn’t trade for the world.

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“It’s really fun and they have so much energy. That’s why you get into teaching because every day is different. I mean, you may be doing the same lesson with a different class and it can be totally different just because of the ideas that get brought up and the discussions you have.”

After graduating from the University of Lethbridge and nearly completing his first year of educating, Sehn says it’s been an unforgettable experience.

“Throughout this process, I’ve taught in high-schools, elementary and middle-schools. You hear so many stories about these kids that it just sticks with you. I mean, just getting to work with the kids and some days, just having someone come to school is a victory, right? You’re just happy to see them here because there’s a lot going on.”

After a couple of months in the classroom, Sehn says that’s his biggest take away.

Building relationships with his students and making them feel comfortable.

“I mean, you gotta know what they like, what their interests are and then you take the content and try and tailor it to that. If you don’t have a connection with them, they’re not going to buy into what you’re trying to do.”

As the new ‘kid’ on the block this year, Sehn says that relationship building with his students started on the first day with one simple quote.

“I told them ‘this is our classroom, this is not my classroom and we’re in this together’. By having that community and giving them lots of say in what goes on and that kind of thing, I think it really helps with the relationship part.”

And with that relationship building, Sehn says the students have even taught him a few things along the way.

“They’re always updating me on the lingo and slang because I’m a little bit outdated. Then, as soon as I use it, they change it because it’s not ‘cool’ anymore. But, you know what? It’s really nice just to see the kids be themselves. These kids, they’re not afraid and I think that’s just part of the school culture we have here. We’re promoting kids to be your best self and that’s what they’re doing. That’s what they bring every single day.”

The Zone Six Awards Ceremony will be held on May 15th in Taber, at which time the Zone Six winner will be announced.

If Sehn secures a win in Taber, he will be honored at the Alberta School Boards Association fall conference in November.