Stephanie Laing as been nominated by the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education for the 2026 Edwin Parr Award for excellence in the Teacher Quality Standard.--HANDOUT PHOTO
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Stephanie Laing, a first-year teacher at Notre Dame Academy, has been chosen to represent the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education as its 2026 Alberta School Boards Association Edwin Parr Award nominee.
Every year the Alberta School Boards Association honours six first-year teachers who have demonstrated excellence in the Teaching Quality Standard for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award, with one winner from each of the six zones across the province.
Notre Dame Academy principal Neal Siedlecki says Laing demonstrates an exceptional ability to build trusting and authentic relationships with her students.
“Students feel valued, supported and motivated in her classroom, which is evident in both their engagement and their willingness to challenge themselves academically and personally,” said Siedlecki. “Her classroom culture is welcoming, structured and positive – an environment where students know they are cared for and expected to succeed.”
Nominees must have completed a minimum of 100 full-time equivalent days of teaching service from the beginning of the current school year.
In April, Laing will be recognized by school board trustees during a public board meeting at the Central Office.
Laing will join other Zone 6 nominees who will be acknowledged at a banquet in Taber in May. Zone winners will be honoured at the annual fall conference in Edmonton.
