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Rankin Inlet
A Rankin Inlet teacher received one of the nation's top educator awards earlier this month.

Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik teacher Lisa Kresky of Rankin Inlet accepts the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence from Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Jason Ransom

Lisa Kresky of Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) was presented with a Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.

The award honours outstanding teachers who help students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in the digital economy.

Kresky said she found out she had won the award just before school started this past August.

She said winning the award, and everything that followed, was a surreal experience.

"The opportunities they had for us in Ottawa were incredible," said Kresky.

"We received the award from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, himself, and went to a reception with Mrs. Harper at 24 Sussex Drive.

"That was pretty amazing because the public doesn't usually get to go into the prime minister's house. Our tour of the Library of Parliament was also amazing and, with me loving books, I was just in another world there."

Kresky, who has been at MUI since 2003, said the experience was awesome, and it was great to network with teachers from across the country.

She said another highlight of the trip was getting to spend a whole week with her parents, Ron and Gerda.

"It was terrific to have them as my guests and share such a remarkable experience.

"I've always placed importance on learning to connect with the students and taking the time to get to know their interests, likes and families.

"Building relationships has really been a key factor to the success I've had in the classroom.

"It's really important to build those relationships first with the students, because then they're a lot more receptive to what you need to teach them."

Kresky said bringing student interests and skills into the classroom often makes them more in-tune to paying attention and participating.

She said she hopes to be able to develop her teaching approach even further, and incorporate what she learned from so many other fantastic teachers on her trip.

"Yes, I won this award, but there's still lots of areas I can improve upon to become a better teacher.

"I'm grateful to the local parent who started the nomination process for me to earn this award, followed by a few other parents, students and principal Jesse Payne, who wrote a letter to support my nomination.

"It was amazing just to hear her say I was a great teacher and she'd like to nominate me.

"Then to win the award was quite an honour."

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