Rheannon Thomas is Horizon School Division’s Edwin Parr Teacher Award nominee

Posted on April 30, 2026 by admin

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

RReannon Thomas is honoured to be Horizon School Division’s Edwin Parr Teacher Award nominee.

The Edwin Parr Teacher Award, which is named after a former Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) president, celebrates exceptional first year teachers who exemplify excellence in the Teaching Quality Standard.

Thomas brings a blend of patience, empathy, and care to her Grade 4/5 classroom at Taber Central School. She demonstrates unwavering commitment to student well-being and academic growth.

“I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but it didn’t seem like something I could turn into reality until I was already halfway through another degree,” says Thomas. “I’ve always been a very shy, quiet person and it surprised my family when I decided to pursue education. That said, I always loved school and had a passion for learning, especially anything to do with Language Arts.”

Thomas continues, “I’d say the main inspiration, however, was the amazing experiences I had in school and the wonderful people who taught me. In some of my most formative years, I was in and out of the foster care system and had a lot of instability at home. School was a safe haven for me in these times, and I am forever grateful to the teachers and school staff that helped me through that time in my life. I hope to provide that same stability and safe environment for my students throughout my career.”

She has taught in a variety of classrooms.

“As a student teacher, I had the privilege of teaching kindergarten, a split class, and grades 10-12. Since becoming a teacher (officially) I have taught grade one, and now am back teaching a split class,” Thomas explains.

When asked about a little known aspect of the profession, she shares, “One thing that I think may not be well known about teaching is just how many small things teachers do to ensure their students are successful at school. Almost every part of a student’s day has been carefully considered and planned out by their teachers. Each decision is made to make sure students are properly supported and able to learn. It is amazing how many little moments teachers have to anticipate and plan for every day to make sure things go smoothly!”

How did Thomas feel when she learned she had been nominated?

“I think it was a mixture of surprise and gratitude. It is easy to get caught up in the day to day busyness and forget to look around and see all of the amazing things happening around you. It is a huge honour to be recognized in this way, and I want to acknowledge and thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far.”

For her students, Thomas has some great advice: “I would tell them that they are capable of doing anything they set their mind to (even hard things) and that they never fail to amaze me!”

As she continues her career, Thomas says there are ways the community can help students succeed.

“The first thing that comes to mind would be teamwork! One of the most important aspects of a student’s success in school is collaboration and partnership between their teachers and parents/guardians. At the end of the day we share the same priority, the student’s success, and working together is essential to supporting the student in the best way possible.”

In being nominated for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award, Thomas exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator—dedication, compassion, and a deep commitment to her students’ success. Horizon School Division is proud to celebrate her achievements and looks forward to the many lives she will continue to inspire throughout her career.