Wendy Konoza Memorial Award in Education update.
In September 2001, Wendy Konoza stepped into her first classroom at Abbott Elementary School in northeast Edmonton. The bare walls and empty desks did not intimidate her, but inspired her as she thought of the possibilities inside the classroom. She was eager to help her students reach their potential and realize their dreams. For 10 years, Wendy touched the lives of countless students and educators while working for Edmonton Public Schools. Teaching was Wendy’s passion. She poured her heart and soul into her ‘kids’, both at school and at home with her own family.
Wendy welcomed many student teachers from the University of Alberta to learn and teach with her. She loved mentoring those who shared her passion, and she would do anything to ensure they would succeed. Wendy’s dream of working as a full-time teacher was achieved years ago on that September day. She would want others to have the opportunity to share that same dream.
Thank you to everyone who has donated for your generosity. Through the support of After Eight Floorings and many private donations from family and friends, I’m proud to say almost $10,000 has been raised in support of the Award. A $15,000 total donation is needed by April 1, 2012 to ensure the Award will be given out annually, and I have no doubt that will be achieved. The University of Alberta has been very helpful in the process of setting up the Award.
The Wendy Konoza Memorial Award in Education will given annually to an Alberta resident with satisfactory academic standing convocating with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. Selection based on demonstrated excellence during the Advanced Professional Term student teaching experience. Preference given to students who have demonstrated excellence and an ongoing commitment to working with young people or volunteer positions. (i.e. coaching, youth groups, tutoring, mentoring, etc)
A special fund-raising crop night will be held the weekend of January 27-28, 2012 at Treasured Memories, Wendy’s favourite scrapbooking store. Details are still being ironed out, so more information will come soon. This would also have been Wendy’s birthday weekend, and I have no doubt she would have wanted to spend her 36th birthday to be ‘scrapping’ at TM with the ladies. :)
If you would make an online donation to the Award, please go here and specify ”The Wendy Konoza Memorial Award in Education” in the box below that says “Please enter any special instructions for this gift”. Tax receipts will be issued.
Thank you again so much for all your support, our family hopes this Award will continue Wendy’s passion for education for many years to come.
