A total of 28 staff members from the Rocky View School Division (RVS) were recognized at Thursday's (June 9) RVS Board of Trustee's meeting for their recent academic achievements that were completed during the 2021-2022 school year.

The teachers and support staff attained various degrees, diplomas and certifications that will help them in their work and, according to the division, help it to become a world-class learning organization where all students achieve their absolute best.

Fifteen staff members from Airdrie schools and the division's Education Centre, also located in the city, were among those recognized.  Following are those staff members, their positions, and the degree, certificate or diploma they achieved and the institute it was given by.
 
Michelle Bechthold 
Teacher – Ralph McCall School 
Master of Education: Curriculum and Instruction – University of New Brunswick

Tracey Bishop 
Teacher – C.W. Perry School 
Master of Education – University of Calgar

Ashley Burndred 
Teacher – Cooper’s Crossing School 
Master of Education: Literacy – American College of Education

Mary Beth Chisholm 
Teacher – A.E. Bowers Elementary School 
Master of Education: Curriculum and Instruction – St. Francis Xavier University

Nashira Dernesch
Assistant Principal – W.H. Croxford High School
Master of Education: Interdisciplinary Studies – University of Calgary

Stephanie Dove 
Executive Assistant, Business and Operations – Education Centre 
Canadian Risk Management Designation (CRM) – Global Risk Management Institute

Andrew Doyle 
Assistant Principal – Herons Crossing School 
Master of Education – University of Lethbridge

Allison Ferguson 
Teacher – École Edwards Elementary School 
Master of Education: Curriculum and Instruction in Innovations in 
Mathematics Education – Simon Fraser University 

Jennifer Leadley 
Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator – Education Centre 
Occupational Health & Safety Fundamentals Certificate – University of Calgary

Kerri-Anne Leinweber 
Teacher – Northcott Prairie School 
Master of Education – University of Alberta 

Denice McKinnon 
Transportation Coordinator – Education Centre 
Diploma: Integrated Disability Management – University of Fredericton

Karla Powell 
Teacher – Northcott Prairie School 
Graduate Certificate in Foundations of School Counselling and Psychology – 
University of Calgary

Chelsea Retzlaff 
Teacher – A.E. Bowers Elementary School 
Master of Education: Educational Research and Leadership – University of Calgary

Jennifer Roth 
Secretary II – Muriel Clayton Middle School 
Accounting Application Certificate and Advanced Accounting Application 
Certificate – Bow Valley College

Shayleen Sampson 
Education Assistant – W.H. Croxford High School 
Child and Youth Care Diploma – Lakeland College 

Also at the June 9th meeting, the Board recognized its Edwin Parr Zone 5 representative and six other RVS teachers that were nominated for the award which is presented on behalf of the Alberta School Boards Association and recognizes exceptional first-year teachers who've gone above and beyond for both their students and the school community.  

Maureen McCann, who is a first-year teacher at Rancheview School in Cochrane is this year's RVS, Edwin Parr award winner and will represent Zone 5 provincially.  She is described by Rancheview Principal Lynette Lepan-Smith as someone who "leads her class with kindness, empathy and compassion" and is an educator who, "embraces and respects all."

Of the other six nominees, three are teaching at Airdrie schools, including Jessica Gobran from Meadowbrook School, Anastassia Rushford from W.H. Croxford High School and Lisa Sundstrom from Ecole Edwards Elementary School.  The other Edwin Parr Award nominees were Cassandra Bollinger from Elizabeth Barrett Elementary in Cochrane, Kryn Lake from Cochrane High School, and Janice Swan who teaches at Ecole Elbow Valley School near Springbank.  

RVS says these seven first-year teachers have already exhibited excellence as educators and will continue to go above and beyond for their students and school community.

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