Ielah Jean Watt
Alberta Teacher of the Year
Vermillion Elementary School, Vermillion
Grade 4, All subjects

My teaching philosophy
I was lucky to grow up in a home atmosphere that stressed a love of learning; hence, ever since I was 6 years old, I have wanted to be a teacher. In our household as I grew up, I practiced teaching my siblings. I attended school at a small rural school called Woodvale, completed high school at J.R. Robson and obtained my Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. I have been teaching for 30+ years and loving every minute of it. My favorite part of teaching is relating to the students and seeing that sparkle as they succeed. I especially love to see students reaching beyond the expectations they have set for themselves and developing as creative, whole students as they work on telecollaborative projects.

Computers have been an integral part of my classroom program starting with the Apple II and progressing to our present BTPS supported networked computers. Computers have enhanced my teaching program by allowing me to utilize student and teacher peer teaching, and establishing contacts with teachers and students around the world.
I have appreciated the support through the years that VES staff, students and parents have given me.

My philosophy in action
I use computers extensively in my teaching as they are terrific motivators for students and turn students on to lifelong learning. I use peer teaching with students in my classes, and team teach with other staff members and their students.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest teaching accomplishment was being the co-winner with Becky West for first place in an International Competition ISTE /SIGTel Online Learning Awards, 2005. We presented our telecollaborative project at NECC in Philadelphia, United States. Being one of 3 teachers in the province of Alberta to win the SMARTer Kids Foundation Award for teaching excellence is also a fantastic teaching accomplishment.

The most critical issues facing educators today
Critical issues facing educators today are as follows: keeping class sizes small; aides are crucial to help handle special needs children; technology is advancing at an ever-increasing pace and soon becomes outdated; and video conferencing is changing the face of education.

Ways to resolve this issue
Obviously the Alberta government needs to commit the necessary dollars to sustain the public school system.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
When you work with technology and students, neither the students or you become bored. In fact, your day flies by. I frequently have students tell me they cannot believe where their morning has gone.

One lesson every student should learn
Every student needs to learn to keyboard so that they can accomplish something on the computer.

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