David Livingstone Teacher Wins Top Provincial Award

Amanda (Mandy) Almdal from David Livingstone Community School has won Manitoba's Teaching Excellence Award for her outstanding work in education. 

Almdal, an Early Years learning support teacher, was one of nine educators across Manitoba to receive Excellence in Education Awards this year from Education Minister Tracy Schmidt.  

Since starting her teaching career in 1997, Almdal has taught children from Nursery to Grade 6 in various Manitoba communities. 

Fellow teachers admire her teaching style, which includes hands-on, play-based learning that helps students think creatively and solve problems. She creates projects where students work on real-world issues while learning to communicate and work as a team.
 
She also teaches a lot using visual aids, hands-on materials, and digital tools to help students with different learning styles. 

At age 49, showing her dedication to learning, Almdal completed a Special Education program at the University of Winnipeg during the COVID-19 pandemic to better help students with different learning needs. 

“Through her many years of dedicated learning support, Amanda uplifts students with care, patience, and encouragement, helping each child thrive. She also supports her colleagues by sharing knowledge and strategies that enhance everyone's teaching practice,” praised Principal Chris Clarke.  

“Amanda's collaborative spirit and joyful presence foster a positive environment where both students and staff feel empowered and valued,” he added. 

Almdal also helps other teachers grow by leading the school's primary professional learning community. She has mentored new teachers in the Winnipeg School Division for five years, helping them become better educators. 

"Mandy always goes above and beyond to make sure every child and teacher in her community succeeds," stated Karen Pellaers, Literacy/Numeracy Support Teacher at David Livingstone Community School. "Her ability to meet students' needs, help them achieve their goals and improve the school environment makes her an excellent teacher." 

Since 2006, the Province of Manitoba has awarded Excellence in Education Awards annually to outstanding teachers. A committee of representatives from the Manitoba School Boards Association, the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools, and the Department of Education chooses the winners.