On the bulletin board behind my desk is a sign that reads 'Cheers.' This sign reminds me of one of my brothers favorite sayings and beside it is a picture of me and my brother, Josh, in high school. Even though I was the type of learner that fit perfectly into a classroom setting and thrived in such an environment, Josh was the opposite. So many teachers didn't give him the time of day - and I understand in a lot of respects as he was absent most of the time and probably slept the other half of the time when he was in class. However, he had an amazing potential and so many hidden talents academically that could have been brought out in a setting like the FOCUS program. He is a huge inspiration for me and my passion behind teaching these students. I see him in so many of them, even right down to one of my students a few years ago who walked in wearing a blue plaid jacket just like Josh's. I had to do a double take and catch my breath but, when I got a chance to get to know that student, he reminded me of so many of the great qualities my brother had. He was such a sincere, sweet kid when placed in the right environment, with teachers around him who had the time to really get to know him and help draw out the best in him. I am so blessed to work in a district where they make the financial decisions that are necessary to run a program such as this. I often worry that, one day there won't be funds to support this program, because I really feel like, right out of my teacher training, I have found the job that is tailor made for me.
Back in 2006, when I was hired and we first created this program and saw only a handful of students graduate, I never imagined we'd have a year where we saw 16 students graduate. All of these students, at one point or another, were close to dropping out of high school and not making it to this very special day, which makes all of the time spent and hair pulled out SO worth it and also made this day a little emotional as I watched them cross the stage.
Sharla has worked with Laurence and I since the program's inception and, I know Laurence will agree with me when I say, that she is INVALUABLE and has become such an important person in so many of these students lives. I can speak personally when I say that Sharla has been such a blessing to me and has been a huge part of why I love going to work each day.
Some more wonderful FOCUS grads (& Yasmin :) )
Amazing students who I have had the privilege of working with! So proud of these guys! (missing a few in this photo - Justin Schindel, Samantha Jacklin-Gould, Sherri-Lynn Stevenson, Amanda Giesbrecht, Peter Thompson.... I tried to catch them in the other photos!)
A huge congratulations to all of my FOCUS graduates (you know who you are!). You have accomplished so much and should be so proud of yourselves. I know you will go on to do amazing things and I hope that you will all stay in touch and let me know where life leads you.
While I LOVE my time home with my boys, I also am lucky to have a job I look forward to going back to.
I'm looking forward to the next group of graduates and so many more amazing individuals that I will have the pleasure of teaching in the coming years.
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