Today Penney, a social studies teacher at the school, will receive a Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award.
The award, started in 2015, is granted by the Loran Scholars Foundation with support from the McCall MacBain Foundation. It recognizes teachers who instill character, an unwavering belief in the importance of community service and leadership in students who become Loran Scholars.
Penney was nominated for the award by Allie Carew, a former student at the high school and a 2011 Loran Scholar.
She taught Carew English and Newfoundland studies, but their relationship went beyond the classroom as the two had a good rapport and mutual respect for one another, often spending time discussing volunteer projects.
Penney said in some ways she saw a bit of herself in Carew. “In how I worked so hard and so diligent myself to achieve things in life.”
From what she wrote in her nomination its clear Penney had an impact on Carew.
“Mrs. Penney is one of the kindest and sweetest women I know. She went above and beyond her duties as a teacher to encourage me to be a leader in my community.”
When Carew applied for the Loran Scholarship, Penney provided her with a reference.
“And I think she always appreciated that because she ended up winning a $75,000 scholarship.”
So now in a way, with the Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award, Carew is paying back her teacher.
“I see the award as being perhaps one of the nicests tributes a teacher could ever receive,” said Penney.
“In all the teachers she could have chosen ... she chose me. It’s just hard to believe.”
For Penney it’s the “icing on the cake” as she gets set to retire after 30 years.
“I’ve never expected any awards,” she said. “To me the award itself was to have a full time job all these years and to work with young people.
“A chance to get a 30-year career in because it hasn’t always been easy for teachers to maintain a job.”
She considers the award a symbol of all the hard work that she’s put into her job and hopes her colleagues, who she considers more than equally deserving, know that their Allie Carew is out there somewhere.
Penney found out she was one of 29 teachers across the country who would receive the award last June. But the presentation of the certificate, and a congratulatory letter from Gov. Gen. David Johnston, had to wait until Carew could get home.
Now living in British Columbia, Carew will be at the school today to present the award and help her former teacher celebrate.
Twitter:@WS_DianeCrocker
It almost never happened
There was a time when Dianne Penney almost gave up on being a teacher.
It was 1983 and the graduate of Herdman Collegiate was about halfway through her teaching degree when she decided she wanted to quit.
“And I was struggling like anyone else, you know, thinking this wasn’t for me anymore.”
But her dad, Alexander Noseworthy, who died this past December, wouldn’t let her quit.
“And eventually I didn’t want to quit either.”
After graduating with a major in English and minor in history, Penney has had a full career, teaching every grade from kindergarten to Level 3.
She considers herself a “Jill of all trades” as she’s taught English, social studies, math, science, library skills and even did some time as a guidance counsellor.
She’s worked at schools in Hampden, Sop’s Arm, Pasadena and Corner Brook. She’s currently teaching social studies at Corner Brook Regional High and will retire in June.
“I think I was meant to be a teacher after all. And I think it all worked out the way it was meant to be.”
Today Penney, a social studies teacher at the school, will receive a Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award.
The award, started in 2015, is granted by the Loran Scholars Foundation with support from the McCall MacBain Foundation. It recognizes teachers who instill character, an unwavering belief in the importance of community service and leadership in students who become Loran Scholars.
Penney was nominated for the award by Allie Carew, a former student at the high school and a 2011 Loran Scholar.
She taught Carew English and Newfoundland studies, but their relationship went beyond the classroom as the two had a good rapport and mutual respect for one another, often spending time discussing volunteer projects.
Penney said in some ways she saw a bit of herself in Carew. “In how I worked so hard and so diligent myself to achieve things in life.”
From what she wrote in her nomination its clear Penney had an impact on Carew.
“Mrs. Penney is one of the kindest and sweetest women I know. She went above and beyond her duties as a teacher to encourage me to be a leader in my community.”
When Carew applied for the Loran Scholarship, Penney provided her with a reference.
“And I think she always appreciated that because she ended up winning a $75,000 scholarship.”
So now in a way, with the Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award, Carew is paying back her teacher.
“I see the award as being perhaps one of the nicests tributes a teacher could ever receive,” said Penney.
“In all the teachers she could have chosen ... she chose me. It’s just hard to believe.”
For Penney it’s the “icing on the cake” as she gets set to retire after 30 years.
“I’ve never expected any awards,” she said. “To me the award itself was to have a full time job all these years and to work with young people.
“A chance to get a 30-year career in because it hasn’t always been easy for teachers to maintain a job.”
She considers the award a symbol of all the hard work that she’s put into her job and hopes her colleagues, who she considers more than equally deserving, know that their Allie Carew is out there somewhere.
Penney found out she was one of 29 teachers across the country who would receive the award last June. But the presentation of the certificate, and a congratulatory letter from Gov. Gen. David Johnston, had to wait until Carew could get home.
Now living in British Columbia, Carew will be at the school today to present the award and help her former teacher celebrate.
Twitter:@WS_DianeCrocker
It almost never happened
There was a time when Dianne Penney almost gave up on being a teacher.
It was 1983 and the graduate of Herdman Collegiate was about halfway through her teaching degree when she decided she wanted to quit.
“And I was struggling like anyone else, you know, thinking this wasn’t for me anymore.”
But her dad, Alexander Noseworthy, who died this past December, wouldn’t let her quit.
“And eventually I didn’t want to quit either.”
After graduating with a major in English and minor in history, Penney has had a full career, teaching every grade from kindergarten to Level 3.
She considers herself a “Jill of all trades” as she’s taught English, social studies, math, science, library skills and even did some time as a guidance counsellor.
She’s worked at schools in Hampden, Sop’s Arm, Pasadena and Corner Brook. She’s currently teaching social studies at Corner Brook Regional High and will retire in June.
“I think I was meant to be a teacher after all. And I think it all worked out the way it was meant to be.”