W.H. Croxford High School teacher, Eeshnah Qureshi is Rocky View School's (RVS) nomination to receive the Edwin Parr Teacher Award. 

From 1956 to 1962, Edwin Parr held the position of President at the Alberta School Trustees’ Association (now Alberta School Boards Association). In tribute to his legacy and his dedication to the teaching profession, the Alberta School Trustees’ Association created the Edwin Parr Teacher Award in 1964. Recognizing excellence in first-year teachers, these awards have been given for nearly six decades.

Qureshi stated it's a great honour to be the RVS nominee for this award.

"I'm really grateful and just thankful to the administration for even thinking of me and considering me for this award."

According to RVS, in her first year, Qureshi has exhibited remarkable teaching skills, genuine care, and an unwavering dedication to excellence in supporting her students. Her genuine warmth is evident as she attentively listens, validating her students and motivating them to freely express their ideas. Consequently, she has garnered the respect of the learners in her classrooms. 

"Students are eager to participate in the engaging and culturally relevant lessons Eeshnah designs in both her English Language Arts class and English as an Additional Language (EAL) class," stated RVS. 

Qureshi dedicates considerable time to bolstering extracurricular initiatives and clubs at W.H. Croxford, such as the breakfast program, running club, Muslims of Croxford club, and the senior girls' basketball team.

"Her dedication to making her students feel special is exemplified by something she did for Valentine's Day. Realizing many of her EAL students had never experienced the holiday, she assembled care packages to give them," stated RVS. "Feeling guilty that she wasn't offering this kindness to all her students, she then proceeded to make a package for each student she teaches. This small gesture shows the kind of teacher Eeshnah is: generous, kind and attentive." 

Qureshi credits all of the success she has had this year to the team at Croxford for helping her out in any way possible.

"I think if anyone has the support, and the level of help that I've been given, they also would probably be in a similar position."

Should Qureshi be chosen as the Zone 5 winner, she will be acknowledged alongside five other educators at an Alberta School Boards Association meeting scheduled for this fall. She finished off by saying winning an award like this would be a huge honour and that no matter what she wants to thank everybody that has helped her along the way.

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