Learning is Success, says New Teacher Georgina Knox
By Taylor Goodspeed
‘What is the best part about teaching?’ For Georgina Knox, a teacher new to Isfeld Secondary, helping her students succeed is the most satisfying part of her job.
“Learning is success,” Knox points out. She also mentions that interacting with students was the most enjoyable part of her job, which includes teaching French Immersion P.E. and Social Studies 11.
Knox, who grew up in Toronto, Ontario, attended high school at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. She later on attended Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, and the University of Wollongong in Wollongong, Australia.
Knox, coach of the Jr. Boys Volleyball team, also participates in sports outside of school; soccer and the triathlon club. In school, Knox’s favorite P.E. activity is Ultimate Frisbee.
When asked about which aspect of her job she is most passionate about, Knox took a moment to think. “Giving students the tools necessary to guide their own success,” she admitted. This first year promises to be a successful one for Ms. Knox if she is able to do that.
Sara Jones, Back For Round Two
By Albert Lu
Ever get that sense of déjà vu? That underlying sensation that makes you scream “I know I’ve seen this before”? If so, you may get that sensation now; or perhaps many of you even remember Math and Science teacher Sarah Jones, teaching at Isfeld two or three years ago. Well, she’s back again for another go at our school.
Jones began her post-education looking for a career in forensics, or becoming a doctor, which led to her taking many science courses. However, participating in some volunteer work, she found that the job wasn’t for her. Having “too weak of a stomach,” is what she cites as the cause.
Despite changing her career outlook, Jones’ efforts at Simon Fraser University in BC, her one year at the University of East Anglia in England, and continued efforts earned her a bachelor’s in science, as well as a teaching certification.
She began her 10 year teaching career over in Burnaby, BC then made her way through the Queen Charlottes to Campbell River, and finally to the Comox Valley. This year marks her third year in the district, and her second year at Isfeld.
Because of her constant movement in the district, Jones has experienced first hand the lack of consistency. She expresses that this continuous movement makes it hard for teachers to do their job properly. Despite this, she states that she likes her current situation very much.
In regards to who she teaches, Jones has at one point or another taught through the whole spectrum of our current secondary school system; grades eight to twelve. When asked about her preferences, she says that she likes the seniors, describing them as “more focused and serious,” while at the same time enjoying the grade eights for the variety and entertainment factor.
Outside her job, Jones has a variety of hobbies, ranging from her children and reading, to skiing, fishing and traveling. Although she doesn’t often get much free time, she somehow manages to squeeze in a little of everything into her schedule.
Amber-Skye Lessard-Kirwin Admits to Being Taught by Some of Isfeld’s Finest
By Hanna Mills
Debuting at Isfeld, Amber-Skye Lessard-Kirwin has taken on a number of jobs for her first year of teaching. Luckily, she found time for an interview.
This is Lessard’s first job as a teacher and she loves it already. “The students are really friendly, helpful and understanding that I can’t keep myself very organized all the time,” she said, laughing and pointing at the clutter on her desk.
Lessard teaches English 11, a subject with which she is very familiar. A world traveler, she also teaches tourism, and psychology, where “I’m just learning along with the students, really.” “I can’t really choose a favorite,” she says of her classes.
A number of the teachers who currently work here at Isfeld actually taught Lessard while she was still in school. At the time, she had no idea that she would end up being a teacher. “I know Mr. Hagel, Mr. Kuhnert, Mr. Village, Ms. Stewart and Ms. Zuccato,” she says. “It is a little [weird], but I’m getting used to it.”
Lessard said that if she wasn’t teaching, she would consider becoming a social worker or a journalist. As for why she teaches; she wanted to use her skills to give back to people, and she really loves literature.
But when she’s not teaching there are a number of things that she likes to do. “I spend a lot of time walking my dog,” she laughs, adding she also likes biking, walking, singing in a choir, going to the beach, and visiting her family. “I travel when I’m able to.”
Being the resident tourism teacher, Lessard admits to having done a lot of travelling. Though she has no one favorite memory, she has a couple stories to share. Her first ever trip was backpacking through Europe. She has also gone as far as Nepal, and she reminisces fondly about its beauty. She uses her plethora of first-hand experiences to teach her tourism class.
Nik Dubravcic, An International Addition to the Teaching Staff
By Evan McMillian
Ever wanted to meet an Australian? No need to travel any further than the hallways of Isfeld. Nik Dubravcic, for those that don’t already know him and his exceptionally cool accent, is a teacher on exchange here, taking the place of Mr. Dave Graham. Residing in the 300 wing, he teaches Math and Biology.
Before becoming a teacher and landing on our doorstep however, Dubravcic spent a fair amount of time in part-time university, changing careers many times. When he was younger, he wanted to go into the sciences, arts, or diplomacy. “That didn’t happen,” he says, chuckling. He has also been an accountant clerk, a lab technician, a computer technician and eventually went into post-graduate studies.
According to him, being a lab technician had quite a few perks; he learned some metal working skills like welding, working with sheet metal and how to use the lathe. “Working with sheet metal is terrible; you get cuts all over your hands.” If something ever needed fixing, he could fix it himself, he noted. And Dubrovcic says that skills like metalwork and carpentry can save you a lot of money. He said that being an amateur carpenter helped him get where he is now. He bought an older house in an expensive region and fixed it himself. “It’s how I’m able to live where I do on a teacher’s salary.”
One of his favorite subjects to teach, though regrettably he doesn’t teach it here, is chemistry. “In Australia, it’s unusual if we don’t have a lab every week.” He also says that the education system in Australia is very contextual, that student’s learn about things that are directly applicable. A great example is the wine-making lab they do in the senior year. Instead of using grapes (which have everything required to ferment), they use other fruits like cherries and strawberries.
He does have to go home, though, and he jokes it could be a rough transition; it’ll be summer in Australia when he heads home. January 16, the beginning of next semester, is his prescribed return date.
Dave Munro; Teaching, and Having Fun Doing It
By Trevor Cook
Teaching kids how to avoid losing fingers one step at a time is all part of Dave Munro’s job. A newcomer to Isfeld, and a first year teacher, Munro is the new woodwork teacher for the year.
Having just acquired his teaching degree, Munro applied at Mark R. Isfeld and was granted a temporary teaching job. He is replacing a full time teacher who is taking a break from his position as a woodwork teacher.
Munro absolutely loves teaching woodwork. Giving the students a chance to create things, and understand how to do every cut and measurement he teaches. “Seeing the light bulb above their head go on,” is how he explained the greatest joy in his work.
He came into teaching after working as a shipwright in the Navy for several years, and as his career of selling insurance came to an end, he realized he loved to teach and work with his hands. Combining the two, he became a woodshop teacher.
Munro has lived in a variety of places over the course of his lifetime, such places as Victoria, and San Diego which he said was very interesting. But still, his favorite place to live overall is of course the beautiful Comox Valley.
Loving his homestead, Munro is also a family man and his hobbies consist of mostly outdoor activities, such as, fishing and camping. Of course, he loves to hang out with his family, which consists of his 14 year old daughter, his girlfriend and her 19 year old son.
Just earning his degree on July 31 2009, Munro is very new to our school, but absolutely loves his job in every way. He Enjoys making his classes fun for the students, he resents the old forms of teaching. “Some teachers like to give out handouts, make the students do them, then talk for hours, that’s what I want to avoid,” he mentioned. He likes to make his students smile instead of sleep while they write things down.
Kari Provencher Handles Large Class Sizes
By Nesta Cooper
Kari Provencher makes teaching 37 students look as easy as tying your shoes. She got her bachelors degree in education at the University of Alberta Campus St. Jean, got her diploma of two years for Literature at the University of Montreal and is currently getting her masters at Simon Fraser University.
From 1995 to 1997 she worked at Robb Road Elementary, and then moved to Highland for 13 years from 1997 to 2009 and this is her first year teaching at Isfeld Secondary. Her favourite thing about it all? The kids. “[Having a large class is] fine, because my students are great.”
Provencher likes to play soccer, travel, read and watch movies, but they all don’t beat out her passion for teaching. “I love learning new things; it can be very dynamic if you let it be.”
But Provencher is stuck with a challenge this year: her class has nearly doubled in size. “They’re a little chatty, but that’s nothing that a seating plan won’t fix,” she jokes. “It started as 32 in June, and by September it ended up at 37. “I don’t blame this on anyone.”
Some of the concerns are for the students who need extra help, but don’t know how to ask for it. “It would be the quiet and not as demanding students; the less assertive ones who might miss out,” she explains. “You have got to be more vocal to be in a big class, plus there’s less time for one-on-one”.
When asked if she thinks that the English students get better treatment than the French students, she smiled. “I don’t think there would have been an English or Socials 11 class of 37 students.”
Brad Crow Puts a New Spin On Talking In Class
By Katie Moore
Everyone knows teens love to talk, but Brad Crowe, the French Immersion teacher here at Isfeld, challenges his students to do so in French. How can he ask this of us, you may ask? Well not only is he the current mentor of our French Immersion cousins at Isfeld, he also partook of the program in the Comox Valley during his youth.
Crowe explained some of the benefits of the program. “Learning language skills is great,” said Crowe. “A direct benefit for me was a job.” He mentioned more careers are available once you have learned another language; he has been teaching for four years, and two of it has been French Immersion.
One of the reasons Crowe enjoys French Immersion is the students. “It’s a great group, they move through school together.” He referred to the fact that most of his pupils continue on with their fellow classmates each year. There is also a cultural link to French Immersion between the students which he acknowledges as well.
One of the challenges of Immersion is changing languages for the students. “Big problem is their habits, with having to change languages. In one day, kids might only have three hours of French. It’s just about keeping the habit.”
With Crowe flag-shipping our French Immersion program, it looks like a great amount of cultural diversity is heading this way.
Jen Riley Brings Music To Isfeld Halls
By Natalie Borden
Angelic tones can brighten the halls of any school, and Isfeld’s no exception. Founder of the Cantiamo Chamber Ensemble, Jen Riley has taken it upon herself to fill the shoes of Mark Isfeld’s choir teacher, once again gracing our halls with the harmonious voices of the student body.
Riley takes great joy in creating music with her students through lunches and after school, and in fact, views it as her favourite element of teaching choir. She is, however, dragged down by the administrative aspects of the job, which includes giving out marks and producing report cards.
Riley’s instruction is not limited to the Comox Valley and music; before beginning her current instruction in choir, she taught English courses in places as far as Korea and other parts of Asia. Through this experience, Riley realized that English wasn’t her cup of tea, and that music was truly her greatest passion. Knowing this, it only took an encouraging push from her university professor to set her off to teaching choir at high schools.
Outside the life of a choir teacher, Riley is the mother of four children, who she loves spending time with. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, and traveling, although her busy schedule often prevents her from doing so. Despite this, she has just recently journeyed to Prague and Czechoslovakia.
As a teacher, Riley has her own teaching goals. She wants to abolish the stereotypical thought that the music and band programs are more for the “geeks” and the sports teams are where all the “cool/popular” people belong. She wants to make music more inclusive and have more courses and requirements with it.
Riley stands by the firm belief that people who cite, “I can’t sing,” as their excuse for dismissing choir, in fact, have no excuse. “Everyone can sing, they just have to try,” said Riley.
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