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TEACHER/ STAFF
APPRECIATION WEEK February 12–18, 2017
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week will be celebrated across the province this week. The event recognizes the important professional and personal contributions made by teachers and support staff to students in Saskatchewan. Ge t ty Im aGes
GREAT TEACHERS/STAFF = ENGAGED STUDENTS Great teachers engage, motivate and influence their students by J e a n n i e a r m st ro n g Postmedia Content Works
Thank you
The theme for Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week in Saskatchewan for 2017 highlights the formula for student success: “Great Teachers/Staff = Engaged Students.” This will be the 30th year that Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week is being celebrated in our province, proclaimed from February 12 to 18 by Saskatchewan Education Minister Don Morgan. The Saskatchewan Association of School Community Councils (SASC), a non-profit volunteer organization that works to bring parental perspective to education issues, has led the way in promoting the designated week. SASC director Joy Bastness says
Prairie Spirit teachers & staff Thank you for your dedication to your work and your commitment to each student as a learner for life. We appreciate all you do to support learning without limits in a world of possibilities!
the special week is a time for “parents, students and the wider community to recognize the important contributions, both personal and professional, of teachers and school staff, to the lives of children.” Developing positive teacher-student relationships is key to engagement, says Bastness. “Students become engaged in learning when teachers and school staff work collectively and individually with students to enhance their learning experience. It’s the leadership and expertise of the teachers and school staff that helps ensure students have an educational foundation that will serve them now and in the future.” The influence that educators have upon their students extends far beyond the school years, she
Prairie Spirit School Division serves over 10,000 students in 45 schools and 28 communities surrounding Saskatoon.
developing positive teacher-student relationships is key to engagement and student success. G e t ty I m aG e s SAS00369087_1_1
A heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teachers and staff
Thank you for your commitment to inspire learning in our students. You are the essence of the values we teach our students:
Respect • Excellence • Joy • Responsibility Great Teachers +Great Staff Engaged Students Celebrating educators during
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week February 12 - 18
www.gscs.ca
adds. “Teachers and support staff shape how students see themselves, the success they achieve and the kind of persons they will become.” To develop strategies to motivate and engage their students, teachers need to continue their own education and professional development, says Bastness. “Education is constantly changing. Teachers have to continually upgrade and update their own skills and learning strategies to meet, not only the needs of their students, but also the demands of their school divisions and the Ministry of Education. There seems to be less funding for education but the demands are increasing. It puts a lot of stress on our teachers and support staff.” Joining teachers in the spotlight during the special week are educational assistants, teachers’ aides, school librarians, janitors, bus drivers and administration staff, notes Bastness. Larger school divisions also benefit from the expertise of social workers, psychologists, speech pathologists and other professionals. Saskatchewan was the first province in Canada to celebrate Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week 30 years ago. In 1988, the week began to be observed on a national scale through an initiative of the Canadian Home and School Federation. School community councils take the lead in organizing the week’s festivities. “There are different types of activities in every school. Last year, for example, Rivier Academy in Prince Albert sponsored a free-throw basketball contest where students could win their home room teacher or support staff the prize of a dinner and a movie,” says Bastness. The lunch-hour event, held in the school gym, attracted many spectators – including teachers, support staff and students – who joined in cheering on the participants. In many schools, tasty lunches and treats are brought in by volunteers to thank teachers and staff for their hard work. “At one school, they made chocolate-covered strawberries for the teachers and staff to enjoy,” says Bastness. “At another school, they held a ‘Have you been mugged today?’ contest. Teachers were invited to put their names in a draw to receive mugs of goodies.” A thoughtful gift could include a bag of pens and notepaper, says Bastness, adding that teachers often supplement classroom supplies out of their own pockets. Special assembly programs held during the week give students an opportunity to express their thanks. Scavenger hunts and trivia games are another way to bring teachers and students together for added fun. Creative ways for students to show their appreciation include making posters, banners and cards to decorate school hallways and classrooms. “At some schools, students have created collages showing teachers and staff at work and at play. Other students have written stories, poems and drawn pictures,” says Bastness. “There are so many ideas! It’s just amazing!” To find out more about upcoming Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week events, get in touch with your local School Community Council (SCC). Contact information can be obtained through your neighbourhood school or parent group. ThiS SecTion WAS creATed by conTenT WorkS, PoSTmediA’S commerciAl conTenT STudio.
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SHARING IN SHARING IN STUDENT SUCCESS STUDENT SUCCESS
Teachers, staff and parents Teachers, staff vital to student and parents engagement vital to student engagement b y Pat r i c k m a z e
When one talks about engagement b y Pat r i c k m a z e in ‘public’ education it is important not to overlook the very word public When one aboutbeen engagement because astalks has often stated it in ‘public’ is important does take education a village toitraise a child. not overlook very public Astowe take the time toword recognize because as has often been stated it Teacher/Staff Appreciation does take raise a child. Week, it aisvillage worthtocontemplatAshow we take time toexperience recognize ing the whole Teacher/Staff Appreciation of nurturing our young citizens Week, it is worth has arguably nevercontemplatbeen truer ing how the whole experience than in today’s complex world. of nurturing young Everyone hasour a key rolecitizens to play has never been assurtruer in anarguably endeavour that most than in today’s complex world. edly has a common interest for Everyone has a key role to play all involved. inTeachers an endeavour mostschool assurandthat fellow edly has a common interest for all involved. Teachers and fellow school
Patrick maze, President, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. s tF Patrick maze, President, s tF Saskatchewan Federation. staffs tend Teachers’ to be quite humble,
unassuming sorts so sharing their “week” with members of the staffs tend would to be quite humble, community seem only natunassuming sorts so sharing ural. Students supported by intertheir with members of the ested,“week” engaged parents complete community would seem natthe circle and serves as only a timely ural. Students supported by interreminder of what can be achieved ested, engaged parents complete by working together rather than in the circle and serves as a timely reminder of what can be achieved by working together rather than in
isolation. Gone are the days when schools were pretty much off limits to isolation. parents outside those few parGone are the days when schools ent-teacher interview exchanges were pretty much off limits to for example. If you were to walk parents outside those few parinto a school in our province now ent-teacher interview exchanges – particularly at the elementary for example. If you were walk level – you would in alltolikeliinto a school in our province now hood be struck by two unmis– particularly at the elementary takable images: the presence of level – you in allas likeliparents and would care givers well hood be struck by two unmisas an incredibly diverse student takable images: the presence of population (particularly in the parents and care as well urban centres, butgivers increasingly as an so incredibly diverseasstudent more in rural settings well as population (particularly in the the population of Saskatchewan urban centres, butand increasingly continues to grow is fuelled more soby innewcomers rural settings well as largely to as Canada). the population of Saskatchewan Much has been made in recent continues to the grow and is fuelled years about success of stulargely by newcomers to Canada). dents in Finland in particular. If Much been made in recent you talk has to people who live there years about the success of stuand are involved, the level of dents inofFinland inand particular. If respect teachers the teachyou talk to people who live there ing profession is invariably cited and are an involved, level of as being integral the factor. respect of teachers and the teaching profession is invariably cited as being an integral factor.
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Some would suggest that’s not always the case in Canada but at the same time there is an undeniSome would suggest that’s not able appreciation for the diligent always the case but at work carried outinbyCanada teachers and the same time there is an undenischool staff. That might be in an able appreciationactivity for theor diligent extra-curricular in less work out by teachers and visiblecarried time spent in conversation school staff. That might be in an at the school about the progress extra-curricular activity or instuless or perhaps challenges that visible time spent in conversation dents face on a daily basis. atAsk the school the progress most about teachers and it’s or perhaps challenges stuoften not the honoursthat student dents face on a daily basis. that they will speak of when it Ask to most and it’s comes theirteachers greatest source of often not the honours pride. More likely it’s thestudent student that they will speak of when it who encountered struggles along comes to their greatest source of the journey before finding their pride. Morepassion likely it’sand thethereby student respective who encountered struggles along the all-important confidence the journey before finding boost that we all need from their time respective and thereby to time. It’spassion not uncommon that the all-important confidence sometimes this feeling of selfboost that wecan all need from time assuredness be unlocked in to time. It’s unlikely not uncommon that seemingly situations sometimes this feeling selfsuch as participating in aofschool assuredness can be unlocked in play or other out-of-class activseemingly unlikely situations such as participating in a school play or other out-of-class activ-
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TEACHER/ STAFF TEACHER/ APPRECIATION WEEK February 12–18, 2017 STAFF
APPRECIATION WEEK ity. This is a poignant February 12–18,reminder 2017 of the importance of the relationship that is developed between ity. Thisand is astudent. poignant reminder teacher ofThose the importance of the relationoft-mentioned “light ship that is developed bulb” moments don’t between happen teacher andItstudent. by accident. requires encourageThose oft-mentioned “light ment and engagement both within bulb” moments don’t happen the school and ideally at home. by requires Soaccident. while thisItmight be encouragedesignated ment and engagement both within as a week to celebrate teachers the school and ideally at home. and staff, it’s a safe bet that they So while this might be designated wouldn’t begrudge sharing the as a week to celebrate teachers spotlight with the rest of the and it’s ainsafe beteducation that they key staff, players this wouldn’t mosaic. begrudge sharing the spotlight thesafe rest of the Here’s anwith equally wager – if key players in to this you do stop by sayeducation thanks to mosaic. your child’s teacher it would be Here’s an equallyand safeatwager – if much appreciated the same you do stop by to say thanks to time it would probably be recipyour child’s teacher it would be rocal for your efforts. After all much and at the same when appreciated a student succeeds there’s time it would probably be recipnever any shortage of credit to be rocal for your efforts. After all celebrated. when a student succeeds there’s - Patrick Maze is President never any shortage of credit to be of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. celebrated. - Patrick Maze is President of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.
Canadian principals recognized for outstanding leadership Canadian principals recognized for outstanding leadership
Great principals make great schools. The Learning Partnership recently announced 40 exceptional educators from across the Great principals make great schools. The country as Canada’s Outstanding Principals Learning Partnership recently announced of 2017. 40Now exceptional educators from across the celebrating its 13th year, The Learning country as Canada’s Outstanding Principals Partnership’s Canada’s Outstanding Princiof 2017. pals program recognizes the unique and vital Now celebrating its 13th year, The Learning contribution of principals in publicly funded Partnership’s Outstanding schools. The 40Canada’s principals, nominatedPrinciby parpals recognizes the unique and vital ents,program colleagues, and community members, contribution ofaprincipals in publicly funded and chosen by national selection commitschools. The 40 principals, nominated by partee, are being celebrated for demonstrating ents, colleagues, and community members, innovation, leadership and for employing and chosen a national selection commitcreativity inby finding solutions and opportutee, are being celebrated for demonstrating nities within their school communities. Their innovation, leadership for employing accomplishments will beand recognized at the creativity in finding solutions and opportuannual Canada’s Outstanding Principals nities within their28 school communities. Their gala on February at the Sheraton Centre accomplishments will be recognized at the Toronto Hotel. annual Canada’sfrom Outstanding Principals Two principals Saskatchewan will be gala on February 28 at the Sheraton Centre honoured at the gala: Bev Bjornson-KowalToronto Hotel.of Emerald Ridge Elementary chuk, principal Two principals fromand Saskatchewan will be School in White City; Cheri Haberstock, honoured at the gala: Bev Bjornson-Kowalprincipal of Westview School in Estevan. chuk, of Emerald Ridge Elementary Bevprincipal Bjornson-Kowalchuk integrates her School in White City; and Cheri Haberstock, passions for art and special education to principal Westview Estevan.Her serve theof needs of all School of her in students. Bev Bjornson-Kowalchuk integrates her achievements include the successful opening passions forRidge art and special education to of Emerald Elementary School, leadserve the needs of all of her students. Her ing the process from design to reality, and achievements include the successful working with staff to create a sharedopening culture of Emeraldacademic Ridge Elementary School, leadpromoting excellence, resilience, ing the process from design to reality, and and respect. Bjornson-Kowalchuk ensures working with staff to create a shared culture that parents, through the School Commupromoting academic excellence, resilience, nity Council, are actively involved in the and respect. Bjornson-Kowalchuk ensures school’s implementation of vision and misthat through the to School Commusion,parents, and makes it a point involve all key nity Council,including are actively involvedgroups in the stakeholders community school’s implementation of vision and misand agencies. She engages her staff by forming sion, and makes it a point to involve all key professional learning communities within stakeholders including community groups learning fields, exploring aspects of increasand agencies. She engages her staff by forming ing students’ learning outcomes, including professional learning communities within the integration of technology. Bjornsonlearning fields, exploring aspects of increasKowalchuk has been described as “an eduing students’ learning outcomes, including the integration of technology. BjornsonKowalchuk has been described as “an edu-
cational leader with a high degree of integrity and ethical conduct.” Cheri Haberstock is described as an innovacational leader a high degree of integrity tor, a doer and awith champion. She draws on her and ethical conduct.” expertise from teaching core French and EngCheri Haberstock is described as an lish language arts to collaboratively setinnovaprioritor, doer and a champion. She draws on her ties aand directions for Westview in order to expertise from teaching core French and Engimprove student outcomes. Under Haberlish language arts tothe collaboratively set prioristock’s leadership, school constructed an ties and directions forspace Westview in order to inclusive playground including a Cozy improve student outcomes. Under HaberCocoon for students with autism, equipment stock’s leadership, the school constructed an for students with mobility challenges, as well inclusive playground space including a Cozy as inviting spaces for all students to explore Cocoon forHaberstock students with autism, equipment and grow. spearheaded the funfor students with mobility challenges, as well draising to make this a reality. To highlight as inviting spaces for all students to explore the arts, Haberstock writes a musical drama and grow. Haberstock theyear, funperformed by grade 6 tospearheaded 8 students each draising to make this a reality. To highlight as well as a Christmas play for younger stuthe arts, Haberstock a musical drama dents. She has createdwrites a culture of excellence performed grade through 6 to 8 students each year, in WestviewbySchool creative, congeas well as a Christmas play for younger stunial leadership. dents. She has created a culture of excellence The selected principals will also benefit in Westview Schoolfive-day throughexecutive creative,leadercongefrom an exclusive nial leadership. ship training program at the University of The selected principals will also benefit Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. from an exclusive five-day executive leaderThe program will introduce them to leadership training program at the University of ship and management practices presented by Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. business, government and education leaders The program willfaculty. introduce them toalso leaderas well as Rotman Principals parship andin management presentedand by ticipate The World ofpractices Work: Wellbeing business, government and education leaders Resilience, a professional learning day hosted as as where Rotman faculty. also parbywell CIBC, they havePrincipals the opportunity to ticipate in The World of Work:from Wellbeing and learn about today’s workforce leaders in Resilience, a professional learning day hosted business, health and education. by“We CIBC, where they have opportunity to are delighted to bethe celebrating these learn about today’s workforce leaders in exceptional principals for theirfrom contributions business, healthand andcommunities,” education. says Rod to their schools “We are delighted celebrating these Thompson, directorto ofbe Executive Leaderexceptional principals for their contributions ship Programs at The Learning Partnership. to their dedication schools andto communities,” Rod “Their building andsays leading Thompson, director of Executive Leaderteams of great teachers plays a vital role in ship Programs at The Learning Partnership. positively impacting student achievement “Their dedication building and leading and success and wetoare elated to recognize teams of great teachers plays a vital in these dynamic leaders in the Canadianrole public positively impacting student achievement education system.” and success and we are elated to recognize these dynamic leaders in the Canadian public education system.”
Bev Bjornson-Kowalchuk
Cheri Haberstock
Bev Bjornson-Kowalchuk
Cheri Haberstock
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week 2017
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Your dedication to the profession significantly contributes to the well-being of students, families, and communities throughout Saskatchewan, on First Nations, in Canada and around the world.
Celebrate with us! May 18-21, 2017 | Alumni Weekend
*The College of Education will host an Alumni Pinning Ceremony
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