Black Gold nominates former student, Hannah Mitchell, for outstanding first-year teacher award
Black Gold School Division is pleased to announce it has nominated Willow Park School (Leduc) teacher and former Black Gold student, Hannah Mitchell, for the Edwin Parr Award for outstanding first-year teachers.
“From her very first day, Hannah has proven herself to be a profoundly dedicated professional, whose lessons effectively meet the unique needs of every individual in her classroom,” says Greg Luchak, Principal, Willow Park School. “Hannah is a special teacher. Just watching her in action is impressive. Being a teacher is what she was born to do.”
“It’s pretty surreal and humbling,” says Mitchell. “It’s amazing to be considered for this award. Teaching is such a challenging and rewarding profession. I can see why people dedicate their lives to being an educator. This is something I really love.”
Mitchell grew up in Leduc and graduated from Leduc Composite High School. Before that she attended École Leduc Junior High School and École Corinthia Park School. She was active on sports teams throughout her K-12 school years, especially basketball, and also went on to play basketball at the post-secondary level. She is the current assistant coach of the Leduc Composite girls basketball team which recently won silver at provincials.
“I think my background in sports has been a great help to me in teaching,” says Mitchell. “Athletes need patience, creativity, and to live in the moment, which are all qualities teachers and learners need at school. And it’s pretty great to be back in Leduc, giving back to the community that has given so much to me.”
Mitchell has two degrees - a Bachelor in Psychology from the University of Alberta through the Augustana Campus, and a Bachelor of Education from Concordia University. Mitchell says she decided to obtain an education degree and become a teacher after working at a school and supporting students with disabilities. “I loved that experience and working with the students,” she says, and that experience inspired her to put her psychology background to use in a classroom as the teacher.
Mitchell says, “Success in learning really comes down to having a relationship with each individual student, and knowing what they need, so that they feel known and comfortable. While each child’s needs will be different, a good relationship with the teacher is at the foundation of student success.”
“I hope my students feel loved. I want them to know that what they say and think is important, and I hope that contributes to their confidence. I hope my students will know they are loved and feel confident in who they are," she says.
Principal Luchak says the skill of valuing individual students and knowing their needs is a big part of Mitchell’s success. “She knows her students inside and out,” he says. “Hannah motivates them so they can achieve their best, and she knows where that bar is for each individual child in her class. That is impressive,” says Luchak.
Students can describe how Mitchell’s priority on relationships makes them feel.
“She’s a great teacher. I love how she is so sweet,” says Adrielle M. “I love what she teaches and the way she treats us. She treats us like we’re her kids.”
“When I come to school, she makes me feel happy and great,” says Blaire H. “She loves us. She’s a great, great, great teacher.”
“When I come to school, my teacher makes me feel like the school is our home,” says Alanna C. “I feel like she’s the best teacher in the world.”
The students also appreciate that Miss Mitchell challenges them as they learn.
“I like it when she teaches science and math. She gives me hard things to do and I can do hard things,” says Blaire H.
“I think she has earned this award,” concludes Adrielle M.
Mitchell’s influence has also rippled outside of her classroom.
Luchak says, “Hannah has been a fantastic addition to our teaching staff. She is enthusiastic, patient, and kind, and incredibly hardworking.”
He notes Mitchell’s involvement as a basketball coach at LCHS as well as at Willow Park School, and her coaching the school’s floor hockey team as well. “Hannah is the first to pitch in for coaching and to help out around the school, and the staff appreciates that about her. They love her and they value that she is a team player."
“Congratulations to Hannah, and thank you to her for making a difference in our school,” says Luchak.
The Edwin Parr Teacher Award goes to six outstanding first-year teachers in Alberta’s public school system annually, and is presented by the Alberta School Boards Association.
