“It feels like my work has paid off,” says Kendra Mogck. “I really just like teaching science.”
Notre Dame High School nominated Mogck for the Edwin Parr Award, which is presented to the top new teachers by the Alberta School Boards Association. Mogck teaches chemistry, biology, and science for grades 9 to 12.
“She's done an excellent job with the children,” says Vicky Lefebvre, board chair of the Lakeland Catholic Board of Education. She adds that Mogck went above and beyond the call of duty, although she says the division recruited many great teachers this school year.
Vice-principle Jason Bayer nominated Mogck for the award. He says she was a natural choice for the nomination, although the school hired six worthy teachers this year.
“Her qualities in terms of planning and preparation I would say rival any veteran teacher that I've ever evaluated. Just her ability to meticulously plan lessons is unbelievable. She's very thorough.”
From Olds originally, Mogck graduated from the University of Calgary with a double major in chemistry and biology. She says by the fourth year of her degree she knew she wanted to continue life in the classroom as a teacher.
She transferred to the University of British Columbia to complete an education degree before taking her first posting in Bonnyville. She enjoyed coaching figure skating and volleyball, which added to her desire to pursue a career in teaching.
Mogck is an accomplished athlete herself. She joined the wrestling team in university and has excelled in figure skating. At NDHS she continues her interest in sports by coaching badminton, volleyball and track, and also helps with basketball. Watching her boys volleyball team do well was one coaching highlight cited by Mogck for the current year.
She says she also loves to see students improve their science skills in the classroom.
“Teaching is amazing. I love it,” says Mogck. “I wouldn't want to do anything else. I'm where I'm supposed to be.”