Prime Minister's Awards for teaching Excellence

Jodi O'Laney

Year: 2008 – Province: Alberta

Certificate of Achievement Recipient

School: Menisa Elementary School
933 Knottwood Road South
Edmonton Alberta
T6X 3Y9

Principal: Patti Christensen
School Telephone: 780-463-8474
School Fax: 780-461-5862
School Email: kirby.coleen@ic.gc.ca
School Website: http://menisa.epsb.ca
Subjects and Grades Taught : Mathematics, science, art and physical education in Grade 1

Teaching Approach:

  • Develop meaningful relationships with students to instill positive attitudes towards school and encourage the adoption of good behaviour patterns for learning.
  • Always provide feedback to students that is immediate, specific and detailed, and include specific and helpful comments for parents on report cards.

Outstanding Achievements:

  • Works on literacy program that brings Grade 1 students together with older students from Grades 4 to 6 who are behind their grade level in reading and writing. The students work together on a variety of projects, including those in the community. The older students get a chance to learn while feeling like leaders to the younger ones.
  • On school district reading and writing exams, 100 percent of Grade 1 students of Mrs. O'Laney's students were reading and writing at grade level. Menisa Elementary also received honourable mention from the Fraser Institute in 2005 and 2006.

Rave Reviews:

"As a parent, I realize how fortunate my daughter is to have an outstanding teacher like Jodi O'Laney. I truly feel that having someone like Jodi in a teacher's role assists in cementing a child's love for learning." Parent

"As a teacher, Jodi was outstanding. She understood her curriculum and she formed strong connections with each student and with parents-openly encouraging and nurturing their support and involvement in what was happening in the classroom." Former Principal