Rick Stiebel

Black Press

Karine Tregear was 21 when she filled a little backpack after graduation and headed off to Hawaii in search of a teaching position. Fast forward 23 years, and Tregear has found her niche teaching Grade 5 at , where she has spent the past 10 years.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of a cliche but I really enjoy working with kids and helping them with reading, writing and arithmetic,B次元官网网址� said Tregear, one of this yearB次元官网网址檚 selections. B次元官网网址淵ou get to be with a group of 25 kids in a self-contained classroom, and really form bonds that makes it easier to connect with their learning styles.B次元官网网址�

Working at a nature-based school is a key element in explaining why Tregear thoroughly enjoys her work.

B次元官网网址淭he flexibility of having the option to take the kids outside or extending a particular class because they need it really works for me,B次元官网网址� said Tregear, who decided to be a teacher while in Grade 7.

She credits Lenny Ross, who retired last year, as a significant factor in shaping the schoolB次元官网网址檚 direction.

B次元官网网址淗e still comes back and is here all the time teaching kids about the watershed, the nature trail or the pond he created on the school property,B次元官网网址� she noted. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a huge influence on me.

Kiersten Brookes, Bev Ross and Jen Horton have all been inspired by Lenny and have taken his nature-based approach to learning to the next level. B次元官网网址淲e have a very supportive administration as well.B次元官网网址�

TregearB次元官网网址檚 class entered a national writing contest last year for students from Grade 5 to Grade 8 sponsored by Genworth Canada. Her students claimed the top three prizes, raising more than $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 never happened before so it was really amazing,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he kids worked very hard on writing and editing their stories, it was very gratifying.B次元官网网址�

Tregear admits she was surprised to be named as one of the nominees for this yearB次元官网网址檚 Black Press Great Teachers feature.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 expect it and it caught me totally off guard, but itB次元官网网址檚 kind of neat to be acknowledged,B次元官网网址� she admitted. B次元官网网址淭eaching is definitely not about the money. ThereB次元官网网址檚 so many amazing teachers out there that do incredible work.B次元官网网址�

When TregearB次元官网网址檚 not in the classroom, chances are youB次元官网网址檒l find her riding horses along a trail with her children.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice when your kids have similar interests,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淐hildren and animals have always been my passions. I was on a horse before I could walk and used to judge and compete in horse shows,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淚 was pretty serious about it back in the day but thereB次元官网网址檚 no time for that now with three kids.B次元官网网址�

The Great Teachers program is presented by Black Press and , in partnership with .