Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) joined with Grande Prairie Public School Division (GPPSD) and Grande Prairie Catholic School Division (GPCSD) in a joint Friends of Education Award presentation to the 3D Children’s Charity during a special luncheon this week, part of the annual Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Zone 1 meeting in Peace River.  

Edwin Parr Teacher Award Zone 1 nominees are also honoured at the event for their outstanding first year of teaching, including PWPSD nominee Nicole Cooper of Sexsmith Secondary School who was also named the overall winner for Zone 1. 

3D Children’s Charity recipient of tri-board Friends of Education Award 

The annual Friends of Education Award presentation provides an opportunity for each Zone 1 school division to acknowledge local organizations for their contributions to education. This year's joint nomination provided an avenue for PWPSD, GPPSD and GPCSD to express their gratitude and publicly acknowledge the impact of the 3D Children’s Charity's past, present and ongoing support for students in need of medical treatment. GPPSD Trustee Andre Ouellette presented the award on behalf of the three boards to Darren Foley, Chair of the 3D Children’s Charity. 

PWPSD Edwin Parr Teacher Award nominee Nicole Cooper named overall Zone 1 winner 

Sexsmith Secondary School (SSS) Assistant Principal Jennifer Thompson was on hand to present an Edwin Parr Teacher Award to PWPSD nominee Nicole Cooper, in recognition of her outstanding first year of teaching math and science at SSS during the past school year. During the event, Miss Cooper was also named the overall Zone 1 winner.  

Ms. Thompson commended the first-year teacher for her collaboration with colleagues and the depth of practice she brings to the school. 

ASBA Zone 1 Chair Robyn Robertson (right) presents the overall Zone 1 Edwin Parr Teacher Award to Sexsmith Secondary School math and science teacher Nicole Cooper (left). (Courtesy Holy Family Catholic Regional Division)

Miss Cooper says she is honoured to be named the Zone 1 winner.

“I honestly don’t think the news has fully sunken in yet. I was just coming to terms with the privilege and honour of being nominated. My fellow nominees are an amazing group, and it makes me so happy to know there is a generation of dedicated, innovative young teachers who are ready to take the profession by storm. I am also thankful for the amazing mentors already in the profession, paving a way for us and always ready to help us grow as educators.”

School Boards are restricted to nominating a single candidate for the Zone award. As the overall Edwin Parr Teacher Award winner for Zone 1, Miss Cooper will be among the winners from each of Alberta’s six zones to be honoured for their outstanding achievement at the annual province-wide ASBA celebration. Planning is still underway for the event which is expected to be virtual this year.