Trio of local teachers nominated for first-year award

By KENDALL KING, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on April 2, 2022.

kking@medicinehatnews.com

Three local teachers – Dalyce Mumma of Medicine Hat Public School Division, Sarah Kerr of Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education and Lisa Dixon of Prairie Rose Public Schools – are being recognized for excellence in their first year of teaching with nominations for the 2022 Edwin Parr Teacher Awards.

Mumma, Kerr and Dixon will represent the Alberta School Boards Association’s Zone 6 and will be honoured at both the Zone 6 award ceremony taking place in May and the ASBA annual fall conference.

All three nominees expressed excitement about their nominations.

“It’s a huge honour and accomplishment,” Mumma told the News.

Mumma, a native Hatter who graduated from Medicine Hat College in 2021, teaches Grade 6 math, science, gym and health, as well as Grades 4-6 French at Crestwood School.

“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “My goal was to make an impact on one student, but then I got to the front of the class and I realized it was so much more than that … So, my main goal right now is to connect with (all) students.”

Mumma hopes to continue building relationships with students, which she believes is beneficial to both the students and her as an educator.

Kerr also hopes to continue with her role as a Grade 8 homeroom teacher at St. Mary’s School.

“I fell in love with the school and the community aspect of it,” Kerr said. “Everyone I worked with was just amazing and the students were lovely.”

Kerr, who also teaches social studies, language arts, religion and health, as well as dance for students in Grades 7 and 8, values her first-year experiences, which she believes helped her to grow and improve as an educator. She is especially thankful for the award nomination, which she feels is a recognition of her efforts throughout the past year.

“Being a first-year teacher, you put in so much work,” said Kerr. “Just to be recognized for all the efforts I’ve put in and all the extra hours trying to incorporate myself into the teaching community … I think it’s the best feeling.”

Dixon isn’t new to the local education community but feels equally grateful. An educational assistant for the past 10 years, Dixon now teaches Grade 5 at Ralston School.

“It’s really hard to comprehend the magnitude of this (award) because I still feel I am learning every single day and am on a path of creating my own craft,” Dixon said. “I realize my name is on the award, but there were so many people who mentored me along the way to help me grow into the teacher I am becoming … I think when you have that huge support system, it makes it a lot easier to go after your dreams.”

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