Students from Kayla Wakelin’s Kindergarten class at St. Mary’s Elementary School couldn’t help but cheer upon finding out their teacher was the recipient of this year’s Excellence in Catholic Education Award, presented by the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta. Wakelin (top right) was surprised with the news on Monday morning. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
The Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) pulled the wool over another teacher’s eyes after surprising them with news of a provincial teaching award.
For St. Mary’s Elementary School Kindergarten teacher Kayla Wakelin, spreading the word of Christ comes naturally. This was one of many reasons she was selected as the recipient of this year’s Excellence in Catholic Education Award, presented by the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta.
The shock came on Monday morning when Wakelin was told to bring her class down to the library for something to do with social media.
“I had no idea what was happening. I was told to look nice today but had no idea why,” said Wakelin. “It was a big surprise.
“I felt honoured. I wanted to cry, I’m probably going to cry now … but I feel blessed I get to do this every day and share God’s love with the kids while helping them realize how important they are as children of Christ.”
The prestigious award recognizes Catholic teachers in Alberta who have done an exemplary job in preparing youth to grow into outstanding Catholic citizens.
“I think growing up Catholic and having the ability to teach in a Catholic school is so important,” she said.
“It’s something that’s not offered everywhere, and to be able to teach with the mindset ‘We are children of Christ,’ and everybody is God’s child … it’s awesome we get to do that.
“I’ve taught in non-Catholic schools, and I find it hard to teach those good values and things we get to do here with Christ as the centre. We’re blessed to be here.”
An avid singer and Ukulele strummer, the 29-year-old incorporates music into everyday lessons, something her kids eat up.
“I’ve known Kayla for a while and she’s a very kind person,” said LCSD vice-chair Michelle Rusteika. “In a Kindergarten class, Kayla’s soft spoken, but the kids get it. You watch the patience she has and the way she uses music in her classroom, she plays the Ukulele and sings, she’s a beautiful singer.
“The kids just tune right into that. With the music, she’s got them.”
LCSD chair Paula Scott echoed Rusteika, adding she does amazing work in Catholic education.
“She leads our choir and is just such a faith-filled person. We can see just by the look on her face that God shines right through her.”
