Duncan Cran Educational Assistant named Pita Pit Teacher of the Month

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Emma Rudge, an Educational Assistant at Duncan Cran Elementary, has been named Pita Pit’s Teacher of the Month for May. 

Rudge is being recognized for her work with children with special needs at Duncan Cran Elementary, where she has served as an Educational Assistant (EA) throughout her career. 

When asked about what led her to pursue a career in education, Rudge reflected on her past experiences.

“I have always had a hard time in school growing up for one reason or another, be it personal learning disabilities or issues socially,” she said. “The thing that made my life a whole lot easier and genuinely changed my life was the support of teachers and teaching staff. [So I don’t know] I thought I wanted to help kids that struggle like me.”

Rudges’ career in education began when she was volunteering with her friend, who was a teacher at Duncan Cran Elementary. 

“I just volunteered to help out with a couple organization things,” said Rudges. “A couple [of] little event things she was doing in her classroom, just to come in [and] give an extra hand.”

Rudge said her favourite part about being an EA is seeing kids overcome their struggles.

“Seeing the kids succeed at something they have been trying so hard for,” she said. “For example, if you’re working with a student who has been struggling with speech, to see them finally be able to pronounce those sounds, or ones that are struggling with mobility to see them finally be able to do the thing they’ve been striving for, no better feeling in the whole world.”  

Rudge’s nomination letter describes her as an “exceptional” EA who works “tirelessly” with children with special needs. 

The letter reads: “Emma brings unparalleled dedication, compassion and love to her role. She works closely with students who have diverse needs, providing them with one-on-one attention, creating individualized strategies for learning and supporting their social, emotional and academic growth.”

Rudge “embodies what it means to be an educator,” according to the letter. 

“She is not only a source of academic support, but a trusted advocate and friend to the students she works with.”

Rudge urges people to show gratitude to those who work with younger students

“It’s very easy to just wave them off, but a lot of the time, the job can be harder than I think most people expect,” she said. “Especially when you’re working with little ones who don’t always have the same reasoning skills that maybe the older ones might.” 

As the Pita Pit Teacher of the Month for May, Rudge will receive a $100 gift card to Pita Pit, in addition to being featured in an article published on Energeticcity.ca. 

Anyone who knows a teacher who deserves to be recognized for their work in the community can nominate them for Teacher of the Month. 

Congratulations to Emma Rudge for being named Pita Pit Teacher of the Month for May.