ARCHIVED—Recipient Bios
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Year: 2000 – Province: Saskatchewan
Certificate of Achievement Recipients
Elaine Belza
School: Val Marie School
Box 240
Val Marie, Saskatchewan S0N 2T0
Principal: Dennis Reid
School Telephone: 306-298-2144
School Fax: 306-298-2196
Grades/Subjects Taught: Grade one mathematics and health, grades two to six, all subjects, grades seven and eight mathematics
Teaching Approach:
- Listen. Allow learners to gather their strength and motivate themselves to learn independently.
- Observe. Find the strengths and learning styles of each student; then develop ways to reach them.
- Care.
Outstanding Achievements:
Enhances curriculum and encourages student involvement with special projects:
- Society Environment Energy Development Studies (SEEDS) improve understanding and stewardship of the environment, through projects such as school recycling, pop can tab collecting and awareness-building poster campaigns
- Project Wild, in partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, teaches awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment to environmental responsibility
- Book-It improves reading skills and habits from grades one to six by recording and rewarding time spent reading.
Exploits a variety of teaching strategies, including technology, project-based learning and group work to prepare elementary students for high school:
- uses computers to increase academic skills, specifically in mathematics
- organizes large class projects involving research, writing and presentation to teach children to learn and work together
- allows students to work at their own pace and jump ahead if they wish
- encourages students to submit poetry and artwork to the Royal Canadian Legion in honour of Remembrance Day; many students have won prizes.
Achieved remarkable attendance rates - 97 per cent for 30 years. Former students often visit, and invite Mrs. Belza to speak at graduations and lead student and community committees.
Rave Reviews:
"Mrs. Belza's classroom was like stepping across a threshold - not into a room, but a world where each child's worth was emphasized." Parent, former student
"Caring is key to all that Elaine is about." Principal