Excellence in Catholic Education Award

 Introduction

The Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (C.C.S.S.A.) is a community of disciples providing a valuable and valued voice that influences the development and direction of Catholic education in Alberta.

We proudly and continuously proclaim the benefits of Catholic education to our partners, stakeholders, and the public at large.

As a community of disciples, and leaders in Catholic education in Alberta, we wish to communicate clearly and convincingly the raison d'etre for Catholic education, and its value to society.

We believe that one way of achieving this goal is to establish an Excellence in Catholic Education Award, awarded annually by all Alberta Catholic school jurisdictions.

Purpose

Clearly Catholic school communities place great importance on respect and support for fellow human beings and community mindedness. To this end we wish to honour educators across the Province of Alberta who have contributed in an extraordinary way to serving the needs of Catholic students.

As Catholic school jurisdictions, by participating together, in a provincial Catholic education award initiative, it is hoped that students, teachers, staff, parents and all in Catholic education can also feel a sense of being part of a bigger picture that can make a real difference in the lives of all Catholic students throughout the Province of Alberta.

The Excellence in Catholic Education Award recognizes Catholic educators in Alberta who have done an exemplary job in preparing our youth to grow into outstanding Catholic citizens. Nominees shall be passionate about Catholic education and the students they teach, inspire their students, and demonstrate commitment to Catholic education and teaching excellence.

 Eligibility

A nominee must be a practicing Catholic and teaching or working full time in a publicly funded Catholic school jurisdiction in the Province of Alberta.

Criteria

Each Divisional Selection Committee will look for specific examples of how the nominee’s character, teaching or leadership excels at:

  • role modeling Catholic values and a Catholic lifestyle;
  • fostering the development of students and their spiritual, intellectual, social , emotional and physical growth;
  • motivating students to exceed their own expectations;
  • attending to individual student needs;
  • working collaboratively with colleagues;
  • demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of subject matter, curriculum, and the integration of the teachings of the Catholic Church;
  • being involved in professional and spiritual growth activities;
  • achieving positive results in student learning; and,
  • demonstrating caring for the well-being of students and colleagues, thereby contributing to a positive school climate.

Awards

Each publicly funded Catholic school jurisdiction in the Province of Alberta to determine the nomination and selection process as well as the recipient for their division.

School jurisdictions may award one certificate. Edmonton Catholic and Calgary Catholic may award up to three certificates. 

Divisional recipients will be presented with a C.C.S.S.A. Excellence in Catholic Education Certificate by the President of CCSSA or designate at the Blueprints and SPICE Annual Spring Conference. Additionally, each jurisdiction that is honouring one of their members with this award will present the recipient and give a one minute summary of why the award has been given to this individual.

 Timelines

The following timelines will be adhered to:

  • November 30  - the Executive Director sends all information and forms to each jurisdiction;
  • February 28th – divisional authority notifies the Executive Director and provides him with the name(s) of the recipient(s), who will present from the jurisdiction, and at which venue will the recipient be present (Blueprints or Spice)
  • Presentation of awards at Blueprints and Spice

 Excellence in Catholic Education Award

 Sample Application Form

 

Directions: You have been nominated for the above award. Please either respond to the questions on this cover sheet or complete it by reproducing it on a computer. For questions 4-13, you may use no more than three additional pages.  

Name ________________________________

 

School _____________________________________________

 

School Address_______________________________________

 

Telephone____________________

 

Name of Principal/Supervisor __________________________________

 

E-mail _____________________________

 

Parish __________________________ Parish Priest ________________

 

Assignment _________________________________

 

2. List all your teaching/work experience in Catholic schools beginning with the present position.

 

Date(s) Position School City

____________ _______________________ _________________________ ___________________

____________ _______________________ _________________________ __________________

____________ _______________________ _________________________ ________

 3. Certification:

 All the information that I have given above and following is correct to the best of my knowledge.

 

_____________________________________ __________________________

 Signature of teacher                                             Date

 All of the information above and following is correct, to the best of my knowledge. I endorse the nomination of the above teacher for the Excellence in Catholic Education Award.

 

_______________________________________ ____________________________

Signature of Principal/Supervisor                            Date

 Please respond to the following (4 through 14). Type each numbered statement exactly as it appears on this page followed by your response. Remember all of your responses must fit on three pages.

 

Additional pages or print smaller than 12 point type will not be read.

 

4. What other educational non-teaching experiences have you had, e.g., grade or level coordinator, member of a curriculum review committee, member of a religious education committee, etc.

 

5. What other professional contributions to your school, parish, diocese and/or religious community have you made? Include such things as articles written, presentations to parent council, parish leadership roles, etc.

 

6. What awards have you received and to what professional organizations do you belong?

 

7. What are some ways that you have been active in your home parish? Include such activities as lector, Eucharistic minister, minister of welcoming, etc.

 

8. With what civic/community activities have you been involved? Include such activities as youth leader, or memberships in community associations, or a civic organization, etc.

.

9. What was your most rewarding teaching/leadership experience?

 

10. What is your philosophy of education?

 

11. What are three examples of ways you live out your philosophy of education?

 

12. How do you incorporate Gospel values into your curriculum/role. Give a specific example.

 

13. Describe one of your most effective lessons/leadership activities and indicate why you selected it.

 

14. Include two letters of recommendation, one from each of the following:

 

a) from the principal/administrator/supervisor

b) from a teaching/professional colleague

 

N.B. Each person should clearly identify his/her role in the letter.