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Edwin Parr Award for first-year teachers

Wed, 4 Mar, 2026

At the March 3 Board meeting, Edmonton Public Schools recognized five outstanding teachers for the Edwin Parr Award for first-year teachers. The finalists are:

Olivia Branco, Baturyn School
Austin Bosh, Calder School
Cokee Schmidt, L.Y. Cairns School
Cassandra DuChene, McNally School
Leo Li, McNally School

Cokee Schmidt was selected as the Division’s recipient. Congratulations to all the finalists!

The five teachers recognized for the 2026 Edwin Parr Award for first-year teachers.: Cassandra DuChene from McNally School, Olivia Branco from Baturyn School, Cokee Schmidt from L.Y. Cairns School, Austin Bosh from Calder School, and Leo Li from McNally School.
Left to right: Cassandra DuChene, McNally School; Olivia Branco, Baturyn School; Cokee Schmidt, L.Y. Cairns School; Austin Bosh, Calder School; Leo Li, McNally School

MORE ABOUT THE EDWIN PARR AWARD

Each year, the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) honours outstanding first-year teachers with the Edwin Parr Teacher Award. School boards may nominate any first-year Kindergarten to Grade 12 teacher who has taught in an Alberta school jurisdiction that is a member of the ASBA.

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Edmonton Public Schools is helping to shape the future in every one of our classrooms. We’re focused on ensuring each student learns to their full potential and develops the ability, passion and imagination to pursue their dreams and contribute to their community. Learn More »

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We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place, and travelling route to the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.

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