The Abbotsford News is honoured to profile 2023 “Heroes in Education” from a long and amazing list of nominees sent to us by our readers. “Heroes in Education” is graciously sponsored by Abbotsford School District, University of the Fraser Valley, City of Abbotsford, Easy Build Structures, Curtis Tire & Wheel, Kafka Denture Clinic and 5 Corners Furniture.
Evangeline Stewart first fell in love with school when she was in Grade 3 and her favourite teacher, Mrs. De Jager, made learning interesting and fun.
Stewart wanted to be just like her when she grew up – and now she’s doing precisely that.
Stewart is a Grade 3 teacher at Abbotsford Christian School (ACS), where she wants every student to have a place and a purpose.
“Every student should feel welcomed and like they belong,” she said. “I make sure to greet each student by name every morning at the door and check in with them as they do their morning work, to make sure they start the day off right.”
Stewart, who has taught at ACS for five years, ends each day with a goodbye “secret handshake” with each of her students.
On students’ birthdays, she has a special sign that sits on their desk with a gift bag containing a few toys and candies.
She also has them wear a special birthday hat, and the whole class does a birthday chant.
A classroom helper is designated each week, entitling them to lead lineups, do special jobs for Stewart, and fill in an “all about me” poster to share with the class on Fridays.
Naomi, the person who nominated her as a Hero in Education, said Stewart “consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty and brings so much joy to her students and her colleagues.”
She said Stewart is known for her incredible organization, her classroom decorating skills, her new and creative assignment ideas – and her outfits.
“While it might sound frivolous, it’s anything but! With Miss Frizzle-like enthusiasm, she dresses up for every school event, spirit day and themed activity,” Naomi said.
Stewart said she loves dressing up, and she plans the several dress-up days that the school holds each year. These include Disney Day, for which she has been decked out as Snow White, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty and Belle.
She dresses up in a Christmas theme for all of December – replete with light-up earrings and necklaces, Santa hats and red-and-green outfits. In February, she chooses pink or red and lots of hearts.
“I love to make things fun and interesting for the kids and show them that I’m interested and passionate about my job, and if they have to look at me all day, I might as well look engaging,” Stewart said.
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She also feels it’s important that her classroom be a place that “promotes and emphasizes learning.”
Stewart said she likes her classroom to be clean, organized and structured. She and her students come up with class rules together and have them posted, and students have classroom jobs.
She decorates using calming colours such as teal, black, white and beige and not putting up too many things around the room that could be a distraction.
Stewart has added things like curtains, rugs, pillows, bunting and chair covers to make the room cozy and feel like a home.
When it comes to her methods of teaching, Stewart said she tries to incorporate “multiple strategies and techniques to engage the students,” including lots of movement, discussions, technology, “inquiry-based learning” and exploratory learning.
“I try to incorporate different learning styles into my lessons so that each child may learn to the best of their abilities, extending into personalized learning opportunities where possible,” she said.
“I believe learning is both an individual and a group process, and so I make my classroom a place of community.”
Stewart said she most enjoys watching the students grow over the school year – including spiritually — and becoming confident in themselves and their abilities.
“I love getting to hang out with kids all day. It really brings out my inner child and reminds me to lighten up, to laugh often, smile always and find the joy in life,” she said.
vikki.hopes@abbynews.com
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