Power of Scholarship

Every year at every university campus across Canada, dozens, if not hundreds, of students benefit from scholarships.

These scholarships and awards come in a range of sizes, for a variety of reasons, and can be provided by institutions or individuals.

Many of the recipients will tell you that the scholarships are impactful to them for a couple of reasons. One, naturally, is that the funding awarded makes the costs associated with post-secondary education a little less of a burden to the student.

Another is the knowledge of the recognition of their work—whether it’s for academic achievement or through volunteer support for a community, or in some other extracurricular context—knowing that a committee has recognized the importance of a student’s work goes a long way to building confidence as the student moves forward into his or her chosen career path.

A third benefit is that the students who receive these awards understand the value of this support—in both financial and emotionally supportive ways.  In turn, knowing the benefits to the student, a past scholarship recipient then may be more apt to “pay it forward”--to support scholarships when they themselves are in a positon to do so.

When a scholarship winner is selected, the individual or committee responsible for the award is made aware of who that winner is.

Take for example, the Calgary Retired Teachers Association (CRTA).  Giving scholarships to students in education at the University of Calgary for more than 25 years, CRTA provides awards to students on an annual basis.

Werklund School of Education students have benefitted each year from these scholarships and many have gone on to enriching careers.  Each one says that scholarships such as the one they received from the CRTA committee was instrumental in helping them to be the successes they are today.

Christine Cheung

1997 recipient

“When I first graduated, I immediately was hired by the CBE and worked as an ESL teacher at a NE school.  I then transitioned into the classroom where I taught grade one and grade two.  I moved on to teach grade one at the Traditional Learning Centre (TLC) program with the CBE, then took a year off to finish my Master of Education degree in English as a Second Language at the University of Calgary.

I returned to CBE as a learning leader at a TLC/ French Immersion School, where after two years I became the Assistant Principal of that school, but at that time, the school no longer housed TLC, instead the school became a Mandarin Bilingual School and a French Immersion School.

When the Mandarin Bilingual program expanded, it moved out of that school into its own school (Highwood).  I became principal of this school. And that’s where I am today.

It was important to have a group of people recognize my strengths as an educator/ student in University, but also my contributions as a volunteer at various organizations.  It really placed a strong value that being a contributing member of society was just as important as doing well academically.  I think this really speaks to being a well-rounded teacher... understanding that strong ties to the community, being a person of character, and the spirit of learning from others and giving back.” 

Bart Stolee

2004 recipient

“After receiving the CRTA Award, I graduated with my B. Ed. in 2006 and began working for the CBE shortly thereafter.  Since my first degree was in Kinesiology, I was hoping to teach Phys. Ed. at the secondary level.

My first teaching contract was at CBe-learn junior high.  This provided a unique opportunity to teach a variety of courses including online Phys. Ed., Outdoor Education, and even Baking, all from the comfort of my own home.  In my three years at CBe-learn, I was privileged to work alongside many experienced teachers whose mentorship set the foundation for my career.

After CBe-learn, I began teaching at Forest Lawn High School in the Phys. Ed. department.  I now focus primarily on the sciences, but have taught a wide variety of courses over the years. In fact, I was probably the only football coach in the city who also taught flower arranging in Horticulture!

I have thoroughly enjoyed the last ten years of teaching and I look forward to many more adventures in the years to come!”

Deirdre Cooksley

2012 recipient

“I decided to go back to school about five years ago to get my two year after-degree when my kids were in school full time. I had always felt the ‘tug’ toward education but nothing ever seemed to align to allow it to happen. During the young toddler years, I taught piano from home and loved connecting with children but knew it was a short-term career choice. After returning to work in a part-time administrative position, my family and I decided that I would go back to school and hopefully become a teacher. We laugh about how the universe supported me since making the decision to return to school. Everything aligned just perfectly since that day until now.

At the time that I received the scholarship, my husband’s income was the only money coming in to our household. The feeling of getting help like this from fellow teachers was indescribable. It really gave me the confidence to immerse myself into what I was doing. Because this scholarship came from teachers, I felt even more determined to do well.

I have been teaching at John Costello School for the last three years, the same school that I completed my last university practicum with. I have been teaching grade Four but in September, will be teaching grade Five. I embrace the challenge and always look forward to the start of a new school year.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to teach every day. I have connected with some wonderful children and teachers in the last three years. Connecting with families is perhaps the most rewarding part of teaching for me. This last year, I was so excited to find out that I had been nominated by a colleague to receive an Alberta Excellence in Teaching Award. While I didn’t receive it, it was incredible to have a colleague recognize my work in this way. My biggest highlight to date, though, would have to be my graduation day. My family was there, including my dad who was given a pass for the day to join us from his long-term care facility. He later told me that it was the best day of life to watch me graduate with an Education degree. Incidentally, he is home and healthy now.

Thank you for allowing me to receive this scholarship. Making the decision to return to school changed my life, and this scholarship allowed me to focus entirely on my studies, feeling confident that I made the right choice in entering education.”

Tatum Nixon

2014 recipient

I graduated from the Werklund School of Education in June 2016. I am excited to be starting my first year of teaching in the fall with a full time temporary contract with Rocky View Schools.

Receiving scholarships such as the Calgary Retired Teachers Association Scholarship allowed me to focus on my course work and field experiences during the semester and relieved some financial stress that comes with being a full time student. I was also able to save money for traveling after completing my degree, where I spent a month in Europe. While in Europe I applied for job postings and did Skype interviews along the way!

My advice for student teachers is to utilize networking opportunities as often as possible as well as continuously add to their resume during their undergrad!”

Ryan Fox

2006 recipient

“I have spent my career so far working at Notre Dame Collegiate school in High River, Alberta.  It has certainly been interesting.  We’ve grown from a small, semi-rural Jr./Sr. high, to a significantly larger one (we are almost twice the number of students we were 8 years ago) with a very high population of English Language Learners.  Every year I am learning so much about teaching in order to keep up with our changing population.

I’ve been a school department head for six of my eight years, and a divisional department head for four of them as well (benefit of a small division).  I’ve coached basketball, football, rugby, track and field, robotics, and science Olympics teams and started a science fair.  Last year I led a group of students in launching a weather balloon into space.  There’s lots of great stuff happening here.

Of course being in High River I went through the flood with my students, and our school was one of the ones totally lost (we had to strip it right down to the framing).  In September 2013 we started a week late, and then were sharing a building with Senator Riley.  We had eight classes running in the gym simultaneously, and four in classrooms.  My wife (who also teaches at the same school as I do) and I spent that summer tearing apart basements and planning a mini We Day for our students and those in other flood affected schools.  Three years later we are almost back to normal.

I just finished a thesis based masters with my research focus being on professionalism among early career teachers and will be working with my principal and the school division to find ways to implement some of my findings in our new teacher induction programs and in-school mentoring.  I hope within a couple of years to be in admin myself.”

Nicole Lamboo

2007 recipient

“I am currently going into my 8th year of teaching.  I am at Senator Patrick Burns School in the northwest.  I primarily teach math and science and have taught grades 6 to 12.  I have had the opportunity over the last three years to work in a Spanish bilingual school, which has allowed me the opportunity to combine my two passions - that of teaching science and that of using and passing along the Spanish language.

I have also taken on leadership opportunities within the school.  In my second year I was the Grade 7 Team Learning Leader.  This past year I became the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning leader.  Prior to that I was teaching at Jack James High School.  This was also an invaluable experience for me.  I worked primarily with students with learning disabilities from rough and tumble backgrounds.  I really felt like I made a difference in the lives of my students and made lasting connections with many of them.  I was involved in the creation of the "flex" learning program - a program designed for students who need a more flexible learning schedule.  This program helped many students who would not normally have attended become successful in their learning.  I saw amazing growth and engagement in these students. 

I love my job as an educator.  I love the diversity and variety of "jobs" that teachers do within their role. Below are some of the opportunities that I've taken part in during my career:

• Skills Alberta - I trained students for the IT Software Solutions competition.  I had students take home medals every year that we participated in the competition.  Some of them even went on to SAIT's Administrative Information Management program.  It was really great to see the confidence boost this opportunity gave to my students.  
• West Coast Sailing trip - a five day trip where students learn to sail.  Links are made to the science curriculum - students examine biodiversity and human impact on the West Coast of Canada.  I love teaching concepts within a context.  Being on the West Coast allowed us to really examine this ecosystem while also being active in the outdoors.  
• Bamfield Marine Station trip - students learn about marine biology, biodiversity and human impact on the West Coast of Canada.  This intensive program prepares students for high school science.  I really am passionate about teaching science and love exposing students to current research, which was made available to us at the Bamfield Research Station.
• Telus Shift Lab and other Telus Spark collaborations - I have worked extensively with this organization to hone my teaching skills in the area of science.  This invaluable partnership has led me to new ways of teaching and learning.  It has helped me embrace hands-on education and the importance of keeping the learner at the centre of each lesson.
• Coaching opportunities - track and field, swimming, diving, badminton, cross country running.  I love the mentorship piece of this role and connecting with students on a different level.

I do think that scholarship opportunities are vital, especially with rising tuition costs and the current state of the economy.  Scholarships and student loans allowed me to travel to Ireland and Chile during my undergrad degrees.  This allowed so much personal growth and expansion of my worldview - I really don't think I would be the same person without those experiences.”

Jody Simpson

2005 recipient

“When I graduated from UCalgary I was lucky enough to receive a probationary contract with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and ended up teaching grade 1/2 at Colonel J. Fred Scott School.  I have been at CJFS for 9 years and had a wealth of experiences as a result of my dedication and hard work to the profession.

I taught a grade 1 & 2 class for four years; I was the Learning Leader, Resource Teacher,&  Literacy support teacher for three years; I was the Learning Leader, Resource teacher and Kindergarten teacher for 2 years; and I have also done two different terms as the Acting Assistant principal.

At some point I will pursue leadership more permanently but for now I am still really happy teaching in the classroom.  Next year I will be moving schools to gain a new perspective and new experiences.  I will be the learning leader and kindergarten teacher at Royal Oak School.

Aside from my specific roles, I completed my master’s degree at UCalgary a few years ago in integral curriculum development.  I am a part of the Early Childhood Education Council Conference planning committee, and I also regularly attend workshops.  I have been inspired by Reggio Emilia.  I did a study tour to Italy to learn more about it, and It has been a large focus of my practice along with inquiry based teaching, design thinking and maker education.”