Crescentview educator reacts to being honoured by Portage School Division

The Portage la Prairie School Division held a board meeting last week week where an Ecole Crescentview school teacher was recognized with an "Excellence in Education Award" for her consistently excellent work with her students.

Laura Hordeski, kindergarten teacher at Crescentview, who started teaching in Morden in 1992, says she was very grateful to receive this award, while slightly uncomfortable as she feels there are so many educators who deserve to be honoured.

During the board meeting where she was presented with the honour, board members heard a speech from Tracy Vanstone, the Principal at Crescentview.

Vanstone called Hordeski an outstanding and phenomenal educator, noting that the French Immersion program wouldn't be what it is in our city without Madame Hordeski.

Hordeski says hearing those comments from Vanstone pulled at the heartstrings.

"I got a little emotional. It's hard to hear so many nice things about yourself, but yes, she was very, very kind and very generous with her words and as always supportive."

Hordeski shares that she has had incredible support from administration during her whole career.

"I have worked with the best colleagues you can imagine, and I learn things from them every day. I end up working with the greatest families, and the kids themselves are just incredible, so you just want to do your best for them."

The Kindergarten teacher shares her favourite part of teaching young children.

"I'm pretty fortunate. I feel very loved at school. I get 1000 hugs a day, and because my kids stay in this school until there in grade four, I get to see them as they grow up, and they'll still come back and say 'Bonjour Madame' And give me a hug. So, yeah, I feel very loved."

Hordeski explains that it is very touching when former students come back to greet her.

"To see these little guys that used to be criss-cross applesauce on your carpet, and here they are taller than me coming back in their grad gowns. Maybe I am just a little bit of a suck, I guess, because it usually brings tears to my eyes."

Hordeski notes that she has been at Crescentview since 2006, when they, as a school, introduced French Immersion. Adding that, she loves her job and teaching the French language.

"I am just very, very appreciative, and I couldn't have done it without all the people and the families that have supported me and worked around me."