Lakeridge teacher wins C95’s ‘Teacher of the Year’ award

It was a remarkable sendoff into retirement for Lakeridge School teacher Sharon Biss.

Clasping her hands together in surprise, she accepted this year’s C95 Teacher of the Year award Tuesday.

Lakeridge School teacher Sharon Biss was named the C95 Teacher of the Year on June 22, 2021.

Surrounded by her students, members of the Saskatoon Fire Department, Mayor Charlie Clark and C95 hosts Rob and Shauna, Biss accepted a specially made plaque and a gift certificate for a $10,000 shopping spree to R & R Home Leisure.

“Every teacher and everyone who has worked in this school this last year and beyond really deserves this. l am so humbled and honoured that people chose me. I’ve loved my job. I’ve loved you kids so much and it’s hard to leave and to leave and retire. I will never forget any of you,” she said, blinking back tears.

John McGettigan, the president of the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association, said this past year has been extraordinarily challenging for students and for teachers.

“Being a teacher during a pandemic is an extra layer of anxiety and stress, there’s no question about it. But our job is to keep the kids safe and keep them calm. Even though the turbulence of the year has affected everyone, the teachers’ job has been to try and mitigate that turmoil and give kids some certainty in a really uncertain time,” he said.

Mayor Charlie Clark also congratulated Biss and said during a year that has been tough already, he’s so grateful for the resilience, love and compassion teachers have displayed.

“It’s you that helped create that sense of safety and security and learning and growing that helps get through all of these things,” Clark said. “So it’s an extraordinary year and an especially important time to recognize you and all teachers for the incredible work you’ve done.”

Rob and Shauna told Biss she had so many nominations from students past and present, they had become emotional reading them all.

“You really changed their lives,” said Shauna.