Ecole Morden Middle School teacher Heather Clyde has been recognized by the Loran Scholars Foundation for making an impact on one of its scholars.

Clyde is a recipient of the Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award and was nominated by former student, Finley Wheeler, who received the prestigious Loran Award in 2017.

“I was really so touched and honored and humbled by all of it,” said Clyde who teaches grades 5-8 music and choir, and has taught at the Morden school for 21 years. “Finley is an amazing young man and the fact that he took the time out of his very busy life right now to do this nomination, it was just so incredible and touching to me.”

The award, supported by the McCall MacBain Foundation, recognizes primary and secondary school teachers who provide early inspiration, guidance and growth opportunities for scholars.

“My main goal is that when kids get up to do a performance, that they’re proud of themselves,” noted Clyde. “That they got up there and they’re proud of their accomplishments. They feel passion and joy in what they’re doing and they are sure that they have accomplished something awesome in the end.”

Clyde says the teacher and former student, who she taught nine years ago, made a really good connection.

“Finley was always in my room involved in all the choirs. Even when he moved on from middle school to high school he came and he helped organize my life. He’s an organizer. He would come in and he’d help the kids and help me, and just jump in where anything was needed. He made connections with the kids too. I know that he is going to go far in life and he’s going to do something that he loves and he’s going to be really great at it.”

In his nomination letter Wheeler wrote, “I was lucky to have Heather as a direct influence in my life for most of my grade school experience. I recall entering grade five as a fairly shy, reserved and closed off personality. Opening up, finding my own confidence, and learning to believe in myself are traits that Mrs. Clyde guided and encouraged me to find. As a strong, empowering, and inspirational woman, Heather’s leadership impacts go beyond the role of a standard educator. Pouring her heart, soul and extracurricular time into her work is an example of the compassion she has for helping all her students succeed to the best of their abilities.”

“When I look back over my 21 years as a teacher here, having taught every student in grades 5-8 in Morden means that I’ve taught thousands of kids,” said Clyde. “It’s nice to know that there’s the Finley’s of the world and I’m sure other one’s too that have been impacted by music and been impacted by our programming here.”

Before COVID-19 restrictions, each teacher recipient would be recognized by the nominating Loran Scholar at a local certificate presentation and be presented with a congratulatory letter from John McCall MacBain.

Heather Clyde will be recognized by the Loran Scholars Foundation next week.