Two Fort McMurray teachers have received the Prime Minister’s Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence.
Tamarra Price-Chambrinho not only teaches communication technologies and media design at Father Patrick Mercredi High School, she also created the school’s technology and media design program.
Price-Chambrinho, who won the STEM award, makes students feel valued and productive, which leads to high attendance and success.
Some students between grades 7 and 12 take her classes every year, or even every semester.
She even opens the school on weekends for students who may not have internet or other resources at home.
Principal Lisa Miller said Price-Chambrinho is a dedicated and dynamic teacher who knows how to reach the students.
Said El Mejdani, a computer science teacher at Westwood Community High School, also won the award, receiving a Certificate of Excellence.
El Mejdani has been with the Fort McMurray Public School District for three years, starting his time teaching math in French, until a student asked him to hold a coding sessions.
Some of his achievements as a teacher include building the school’s computer science program from scratch with no initial budget, working with other teachers to integrate technology into their subject areas and he has a high level of student achievement.
El Mejdani is known for helping students succeed by embracing those uninterested in academics and helps them think critically to reach their goals.
One former student referred to El Mejdani as “everything a student could want.” saying he taught beyond the curriculum.
