Recently the Red Deer Regional Catholic School board announced they had chosen a district finalist for the annual Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Edwin Parr award, Nicole Adrian. 

At the same time, Brittany Glover of St. Matthew Catholic School in Rocky Mountain House was also nominated for the award, which recognizes excellence in first-year teachers. 

Glover said she was very excited when she heard about her nomination. 

"When I first kind of heard that I was being thought of to be put in for the award, I felt super grateful, to be honest. I was new to the school and I was trying to work really closely with my mentor and the mentorship team with all the new teachers," she said. 

"I really couldn't have done it without the community at that school. They are so supportive and really help me feel like I can take risks with my teaching, and I've never felt held back in that respect. I just felt really grateful and honoured, honestly."

Glover said she uses some unique teaching methods as part of her toolkit that allow for flexibility in learning and ultimately a better connection to her students.

"My approach with inquiry and project-based learning ... it can be a little bit nervewracking to take on those bigger learning opportunities with kids because you don't always know which direction it's going to go - especially with elementary students. Sometimes you don't know if you're taking it too far with them, or pushing them to do too much, but my students kind of met me where I was at with it. The kids just dove right in along with me," she explained. 

Glover added that using these more interpretive methods alongside standard teaching provides her a breadth of ways to help kids get the information they need. 

The administration team of St. Matthews School had nominated Glover for the Edwin Parr award, and Glover said she thinks it might be because she has been recognized for her desire to try new things, and her willingness to make mistakes and learn from them.

"I think, for my admin team, what they noticed is that I really come alongside my students as a learner as well, so I kind of give them that permission to make mistakes and to be vulnerable in the classroom because I'm kind of modeling that for them.'

Glover explained that she tries to break down the hierarchy of teacher over student and create a space where they are all able to learn together and learn from each other. 

"I want them to feel agency, and to feel empowered that [our classroom] is a space they have a voice in, and they can also take risks along with me."

Glover said it's easier to do worksheets or textbook work, but taking on inquiry learning means you may not know exactly where it will end, but she said the pay-off has been extremely worth it to her. 

She thanked her school staff and district support for welcoming her into the world of teaching, and said she looks forward to continuing to work with "such a supportive division and supportive school."

"First-year teaching can be scary and it can be a lot but if you feel supported by those around you, and have those experienced teachers and professionals backing you, you can do a lot of cool stuff."