ARCHIVED—Recipient Bios
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Year: 1999 – Province: Alberta
Certificate of Achievement Recipients
Laurel Usher
School: McNally High School
Principal: George Rice
School Website: mcnally.epsb.net
Grades/Subjects Taught: Social studies, history
Teaching Approach:
- Have students set personal achievement goals.
- Make history come to life with special events, such as dramatic recreations of historical events.
- Make links between current events and the historical circumstances that led up to them.
Outstanding Achievements:
Students attendance and marks are better than the provincial average. Significantly, students at all levels perform better in Ms. Usher's classes, not just the stars.
One of the founding members of the University of Calgary's history colloquium.
Organized events such as the Victorian Fair and dramatic recreations from major historical events, such as the founding of Canada and the Russian Revolution.
Students received first, second and third places in Edmonton Journal and Greater Edmonton Growth Campaign essay contest.
Leads staff development in International Baccalaurate Program, including in-school retreats to improve program approach, as well as assessing other schools interested in offering program in Canada and the U.S.
Rave Reviews:
"She is a truly outstanding individual and has excelled in all areas of responsibility as teacher, leader and colleague, at a school, provincial, national and international level." Principal
"I believe that it is her trust and confidence in us as students, as well as her love for history which guides us to academic achievement." Student