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Weledeh teacher wins national award
Ben Morgan Northern News Services Published Friday, October 10, 2008
Teresa Lachowski, who has 25 years of experience in the classroom, was one of five teachers from different regions across Canada to win the 2008 National Excellence Award for Teachers (NEAT).
She has been named teacher of the year in British Columbia, Yukon, Nunavut and NWT. "I'm still in shock," she said. "I think even being nominated is huge honor." She said as a kindergarten teacher, the largest responsibility she has is receiving new students into the school system from parents who are seeing their children go off to school for the first time. "I mean, they're giving me their most precious gift in the whole world. I really have to respect their trust in me and do the best job I can with these children," she said. She said one of the most important lessons kindergarten students have to learn is independence. Lachowski said she's always mindful that her students are all individuals, each with very special gifts. She said her job is about more than teaching the children numbers and the letters of the alphabet. "I think it's my job to teach them respect for each other and that anything is possible if they just believe in themselves and work hard." On Wednesday, Lachowski was presented a plaque and a dozen roses during the award ceremony at Weledeh school - 12 of her former students, each from a different grade level, presented her a single rose - honoring her contribution to education in the Yellowknife Catholic school system. Reflecting on the moment brought her to tears. Lachowski has taught siblings over the years and now she's teaching the children of her former students, too. "It's nice that they do remember you and it's nice when they take the time to stop and talk to you," she said. The NEAT award honours teachers who have made a positive impact on their students' lives, inspiring a love for learning and helping their students to reach their full potential. Weledeh school principal Merril Dean nominated Lachowski earlier in the year. "I'm in awe of those who teach kindergarten," said Dean. "I mean, these kids are learning more than school stuff in kindergarten. They're learning how to socialize in a group and basic things like lining up for gym or how to put on their shoes. It's really organized bedlam in there." Dean said the reason she nominated Lachowski was because of her dedication to the job and making the extra effort as a teacher. "This woman will go to bat for her students. She will fight for programming for her kids because that's what she's here for," said Dean. The principal said she doesn't usually fill out nomination papers for awards but after talking to a number of parents she realized she wanted to do something to recognize her special and hard-working kindergarten teacher. Dean said in the teaching world educators sometimes ask themselves: 'have you taught twenty years or have you taught the same year twenty times?' "Teresa has taught 25 different years," she said. "She's worked hard every year and that's what makes a great teacher." |