The first thing you must do if you want to build a rapport with your students is to start by developing strong relationships with them.  

That's the philosophy of Cochrane Christian Academy grade four teacher Sarah Hawley who has been nominated by Rocky View Schools for this year's Edwin Parr Award.

That philosophy has been developed in Hawley's first year of teaching.  The Edwin Parr Award is given out annually to a first year K through grade 12 teacher in the province who displays great professionalism and shows insight, caring and encouragement to her students.

Now, back to building relationships.  Hawley explains how she does that saying, "If you want your classroom to run smoothly, if you want kids to enjoy what they do and enjoy their learning, you need to have a strong relationship with them so that starts from the very first day of school.  As the relationship gets stronger, your year gets better."

Developing relationships with her grade four students hasn't been too difficult for Hawley.  You just need to take a genuine interest in everything they do, especially the little things.

"Asking them about what they do outside of school, asking them what was the score of your hockey game, Especially finding out what interests them and then including that in the actual material.  So framing their interest and framing it in our learning.  For example, a lot of boys in my class are really athletic, they enjoy sports, so right now we're doing a March Madness Math Challenge and they're totally hooked in because they love basketball."

In the nomination presented to Rocky View School Trustees, Hawley is said to have a proficient, genuine and innovative approach in her classroom which was noticed early by her administration and even earlier by her Ambrose University instructors.  Her planning, instruction, and assessment are those of an intentional and seasoned teacher and reveal her natural talent for education.  

Hawley is not one to take all the credit for the nomination.  She gives a lot of it to her colleagues who she explains have been a tremendous help as she starts her teaching career.

"That's the best resource you have, the colleagues around you.  I can feel like I can go to anyone in my school and that's what made this year amazing and I felt so supported.  I can go to anyone for advice, I can go to anyone for resources or lesson ideas and we build things together and collaborate."

When she learned she was RVS' nominee for the award, Hawley felt extremely honoured an excited.  "I felt really supported by administration and Rocky View," says Hawley.  "How well they supported me and encouraged me and built my confidence.  I've never felt alone and I've always been very well supported."

Finally, when asked if she feels she made the right decision in becoming a teacher, Hawley says, "Yes, absolutely.  I couldn't imagine doing anything else."

The Edwin Parr Award is named after Edwin Parr who began a long career in educational affairs as a board member with the George Lake School District.  He was President of the Alberta School Trustee's Association from 1956 through 1962.  He instituted an annual teaching award in his school system.  To honour his memory and the profession he dearly respected, the Alberta School Trustee's Association (now the Alberta School Boards Association) established the Edwin Parr Teacher Award in 1964.  

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