A Grade 4 student has become a wizard at reading with the help of her award-winning teacher.
“She helped me with my reading when I was behind,” said Grade 4 student Gianna Hnidey about her teacher Carol Bilawchuk. “I am now at a Grade 5 book. She was kind, loving and just always being there when I needed her. I am now reading Harry Potter.”
Bilawchuk was recognized for receiving the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence during a ceremony at the Davisburg school on Thursday.
Although honoured, she said awards aren’t why people become teachers.
“Never,” Bilawchuk said. “You become a teacher because you love children and you want to make a difference in the world.
“I think any teacher in this school or any teacher I’ve worked with deserves the same award. A huge honour.”
Seeing the sudden light shine in a student is bigger than receiving any plaque.
“When you see their understanding and you see that light kind of turn on for them — when you see the joy and help them make connections in the world,” Bilawchuk said. “Help them to let them know that they can make a difference, that they are capable. “
She said for example she recalled helping a new student make adjustments to not only St. Francis but also himself.
“He came in and didn’t have a lot of trust in himself, didn’t have a lot of hope in himself,” Bilawchuk said. “We worked really hard to make that connection that: ‘You’re good and you’re capable’… Letting him know that he is important and valued.”
Bilawchuk has been with Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools for 20 years, previously she taught at École Good Shepherd School.
“Most of the teachers at Good Shepherd were my mentors,” she said. “(Principal) Wayne Lorenz taught me a lot – he’s a phenomenal administrator. All of the colleagues along the way have taught me.
“I don’t think any teacher becomes a good teacher alone. I think it is who you were with along the way. I hope I am a mentor, I love to help people, especially the new teachers. It’s not an easy job, but it’s worth it.”
Bilawchuk always wanted to be a teacher. She attended an estimated 112-student K to Grade 12 school in Silver Valley, northwest of Grande Prairie.
“I always loved school,” she said. “When I was in high school, I would volunteer in the elementary classrooms — I always loved being with children.”
So far, it’s always been teaching elementary school for Bilawchuk.
“That was just the opportunity that came forward,” she said. “I love the passion the children bring. I’m not opposed to junior high or high school, I just found a home in elementary and I love it.”
She’s found the ideal home as far as one of her students is concerned.
“She is always trying to do something really good for us,” said Abigail Warren. “She’s really nice and really funny.
“She brings our class a lot of joy.”
A parent of one of her students nominated Bilawchuk.
A comment from a St. Francis Assisi parent on the federal government website states:
"[Mrs. Bilawchuk's] positive influence on [my son] was noticed within the first few weeks. With an honest smile and incredible attitude, she leads her classroom towards ample learning while ensuring students are actively participating and grasping the Grade 4 curriculum."
