Lethbridge teacher ‘epitome of a role model’

Ashley Zrim is honoured to be the Lethbridge School Division nominee for the Edwin Parr Award that recognizes excellence in teachers starting their professional careers in Alberta.

Every year, school divisions in the province submit the name of a first-year teacher as their nominee for the award which is sponsored by the Alberta School Boards Association.

“It’s been very different in a lot of very different ways and it’s actually better than I kind of had imagined,” grade 1 teacher Zrim said of her first year teaching at Senator Buchanan Elementary School.

“So being able to be nominated for this is very rewarding and it’s great to see that others also do see that I’m kind of valuable to be nominated for this award,” said Zrim.

Zrim said teaching through a pandemic has been “very kind of eye opening for me. Going through post secondary they teach you a whole bunch of ways on how to teach but they never give you those other skills so it’s been great so far.

“One thing is being able to be flexible and being able to kind of switch gears and being OK with having to do that so quickly. Also being a first year teacher, it’s all about figuring things out, what works, what doesn’t work, responding to your student’s needs and also being able to create a balanced learning environment between making sure it’s structured and fun for the kiddos,” added Zrim.

“My staff is extremely supportive; they are the ones who are boosting us up, taking care of us, making sure we are performing the best that we can. If it wasn’t for them, I would not be as excited as I am but I love this school. It’s amazing,” she said.

Buchanan principal Lenee Veres-Fyfe in a statement called Zrim “a hardworking, dedicated, positive member” of the school’s staff who puts students first.

“She is the epitome of a role model for Senator Buchanan’s students and community. Right from the start of her contract, it was very clear that Ashley would be a special addition to Senator Buchanan Elementary School and the teaching profession,” the principal said.

“Whether it be differentiated, engaging lesson planning, relationship building, volunteering throughout the school or collaborating with her students, Ashley has excelled in every area,” added Veres-Fyfe.

The Edwin Parr Awards are on May 18 at the Heritage Inn in Taber.