My favourite teachers!

June 14, 2011
Deepankar Sakalley (centre) with Nicky Gardner (left) and Gwen Koch
—Photo by Koni Macdonald
A few days before school started last August, Deepankar Sakalley immigrated to Edmonton from the State of Qatar, an Arab emirate in the Middle East. On June 3, Sakalley, on his own initiative, sent an e-mail to the Alberta Teachers’ Association. In his note, he praised his teacher, Nicky Gardner, and his teacher assistant, Gwen Koch, and thanked them for their help during his first year at Sweet Grass Elementary School, in Edmonton.

Featured here is the essence of Sakalley’s note:

I am a Grade 6 student at Sweet Grass Elementary School, in Edmonton. I am writing to tell you about my favourite teachers, Nicky Gardner and Gwen Koch. I am thankful to them for always helping me with my education and working hard to help me as a new immigrant. My parents appreciate all the work that has been done for me by them. I will never forget the love and care they have shown me. Thanks to their influence, and how carefully they speak to me and how carefully they educate me, I am learning how to speak and read.
—Deepankar Sakalley

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