Danielle Beare
Danielle attended the University of Western Ontario where she earned honours in geography and a Bachelor of Education degree. She came out to the West Coast to begin her teaching and started at Shawnigan in 2005. Danielle, who had offers at other independent schools, chose Shawnigan because of the friendly, warm and supportive nature of the staff and students that she felt on her first visit.
Danielle started teaching junior English and coaching rowing under David Hutchison, then Head of Rowing. Since beginning at Shawnigan, Danielle has taken on much more than she had expected. Danielle is now teaching three English courses as well as living in Renfrew House as Assistant House Director and is Head of Rowing at the School.
The challenges Danielle faces at Shawnigan are myriad she says, “The hardest thing is trying to find as much time as I would like to spend with the 32 girls in Renfrew. I want to give them as much as I can, but am often called away to teach or coach. The rewards of working as Assistant House Director are plentiful, “The Girls make me laugh every day! The caring that goes on between them and that they show for me is amazing and the warmth is there too, and especially now, at Christmas time.”
Being Head of Rowing presents its own demands especially with the growth Shawnigan has seen recently in the sport at the School. “We have 115 students in the programme. Scheduling coaches, boats and equipment (dry-land training) is a big job. We have to stagger the schedule to keep all of the rowers busy—and half of the grade eight class have just started rowing this term!” As well, Danielle deals with all the administrative paperwork and organization associated with rowing events and regattas. “Shawnigan has a great programme with an incredible staff and new equipment. We are really going to be strong this year.” Asked what her ‘dream’ for the rowing programme would be, Danielle answers, “It would be to re-vamp the boathouse—it is starting to burst! We could use more seats too, with the popularity of rowing.”
In the face of her busy job at Shawnigan, Danielle feels that, “The family and community feeling here is so strong—I am supported in every aspect of my job! The Kingstones especially made Danielle’s transition to Shawnigan easier and she credits David Hutchison with supporting her through the rowing Headship. The person that provides Danielle’s strongest support though, is husband, Jon. A two-time Olympian rower, Jon coaches Shawnigan’s Sr. Girls. He is also the West Coast sales rep. for Hudson Boat works in London Ont. He has just come out of Olympic retirement and will also be training with the Canadian Rowing Team.
“How do we relax? We go for runs together and travel when we can,” says Danielle. “We are hoping to go somewhere warm for Christmas or skiing. But we will also just enjoy the time off together to catch up after a very busy first term.”