Pe-Ta-Pan educator wins Outstanding Metis Director

The educator began working in early childhood education around 15 years ago as a bus driver and parent liaison in Lloydminster before becoming an assistant director. When she arrived in Battleford, Edgar took on her latest role and never left.

“It’s my dream job to be all honest with you,” she said.

The awards ceremony was officially held in early May but due to illness, Edgar was unable to attend in person and rather accepted the award virtually. This past Tuesday, she was finally able to receive her honours in a ceremony held at the preschool with her team.

“The children and our staff are what’s keeping me going every day, like I’ve worked through my whole health issues,” she said.

Edgar’s dedication was what Co-director Patricia Wahobin and other staff members to nominate her in the first place.

“Everybody is so excited for her, she really deserves it, she’s worked over and above with our (Aboriginal HeadStart) program,” she said.

“We’re very proud of her work ethic, she puts 110 per cent into our program – even after hours, she’s always thinking about work.”

Wahobin, who calls Edgar her sidekick, said having her on the team makes work easier.

“The kids really love her, and I was concerned with her to stay home to get her to listen to her body and to recover, but this is her happy place,’ she said.

“When you’re healing, you need to go to someplace where you’re you’re well-grounded and you’re happy, and you can heal better.”

The students, Wahobin said, are like medicine.

“That gives her that extra boost for her to continue fighting what she’s going through right now,” she said.

The co-director said the reason the nomination even became a possibility was because the team went to a Metis Conference in Saskatoon that was about early learning and they learned about being able to nominate early childhood educators, daycare workers and directors.

“We had this brilliant idea, ‘cause she is Metis that we would nominate some of our staff and along with her,” Wahobin said of the process.

“We were like ‘Wow,’ ‘cause there were a lot of candidates, right?”

For Edgar, having a job she loves has helped get her through the tough days.

“They call me Kookum Tracy or Teacher Tracy, I don’t spend all my time with the children, I’m more of the behind-the-scenes person,” she said.

“When they see me, they come in and say, ‘Hi Teacher,’ and they’re giving me hugs and everything everyday – that makes my day.”

Edgar explained when the organizers came to present the award to her in person at the pre-school, it was more personal to her and meaningful.

“With it just being my staff, our board and my parents and my brother and sister-in-law were on via zoom,” she said.

“Some tears were shed, it was overwhelming.”

Meanwhile, given the award comes at a time of person health struggles or Edgar, Wahobin calls the win a blessing in disguise.

“It boost her immune system, it boost her up totally, so, we were all happy, excited for her and we were proud that she was working for our HeadStart program.”

—

julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On X: jls1914584

by Julia Lovett-Squires

Pe-Ta-Pan educator wins Outstanding Metis Director

What's Trending