Local teachers honoured

LETHBRIDGE- It’s Madame Elise Lee’s fun loving personality that draws in her students, making her an obvious choice for the “Excellence In Teaching Award”.

Lee, along with 130 fellow teachers across the province have been short listed.

“Making it to the semi-finals was incredible,” boasts Lee.

That same feeling is echoed by Matthew Bekkering, the only other Lethbridge teacher to make the cut.

Bekkering is a grade 6 teacher at Immanuel Christian Elementary. His student Josh Musk says his teacher deserves the recognition.

“I like him because he’s strict and kids can’t get away with stuff but he is still fun,” says Musk.

Lee has taught a variety of grades over the years and is currently teaching grade one at Agnes Davidson. She says the  best part of her job is connecting with students, “The students come back and say hey, I want to hang out and chat about this and that, and you have bonded with them. That’s when I know I’ve done my job.”

Both semi finalists from Lethbridge say even though they are the ones who won the $1,500 dollars, it’s the students who will benefit.

“I want to go get my Masters degree in technology so I could develop the resources for french immersion and francophone students because there is lots of games out there in English but not French,” adds Lee.

Bekkering plans to use his money towards professional development courses.

Lee was nominated by a parent of one of her students, while Bekkering was nominated by his principal, both for their dedication to education and passion for their profession.

The semi finalists will be honoured Thursday in Calgary, and in May the 20 finalists will be announced.

The finalists will each receive $4,000 dollars to put towards professional development.