SOUL-ful Teachers
Lighting virtual fires in academics
When we began designing SOUL (Shawnigan Online Unique Learning) in March of this year, we were inspired in part by Irish poet W.B. Yeats, who said, “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” While Shawnigan teachers routinely strive to light metaphorical fires in their students, since the launch of SOUL they have reached another level – one could say they have truly put their souls into delivering SOUL!
Over the past two months our teachers have worked hard to make the online education experience the best that it can be. They have consistently thought outside of the box and have shown great resilience and flexibility from day one. From dreaming up and producing creative videos to altering the normal rhythm of in-class learning to hosting live co-curricular events, teachers have done their best to keep students engaged. Above all, they have proven in numerous ways that they genuinely care for the well-being of their students.
The dedication of Shawnigan teachers, particularly at this time, hasn’t gone unnoticed by those they teach. “All of my teachers have been extremely supportive and as transparent as they can be,” shares grade 11 student Anna K. “They have been really understanding that everything is new and different. The fact that the focus is still on learning and community during this time is amazing.”
During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8), we began highlighting some of our teachers on social media. We asked them to share a bit about themselves and what they love about teaching, and their answers were truly inspirational. English teacher and Director of Professional Development Cari Bell captured a core theme that surfaced in all of the interviews when she said, “I would never give up teaching because that’s what makes my heart sing.”
To see the full teacher profiles, please click on the links below.
Mrs. Cari Bell
Mr. Jay Connolly
Ms. Kim Edgson
Mrs. Lynne Grass
Mr. Morgan McLeod
Over the past two months our teachers have worked hard to make the online education experience the best that it can be. They have consistently thought outside of the box and have shown great resilience and flexibility from day one. From dreaming up and producing creative videos to altering the normal rhythm of in-class learning to hosting live co-curricular events, teachers have done their best to keep students engaged. Above all, they have proven in numerous ways that they genuinely care for the well-being of their students.
The dedication of Shawnigan teachers, particularly at this time, hasn’t gone unnoticed by those they teach. “All of my teachers have been extremely supportive and as transparent as they can be,” shares grade 11 student Anna K. “They have been really understanding that everything is new and different. The fact that the focus is still on learning and community during this time is amazing.”
During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8), we began highlighting some of our teachers on social media. We asked them to share a bit about themselves and what they love about teaching, and their answers were truly inspirational. English teacher and Director of Professional Development Cari Bell captured a core theme that surfaced in all of the interviews when she said, “I would never give up teaching because that’s what makes my heart sing.”
To see the full teacher profiles, please click on the links below.
Mrs. Cari Bell
Mr. Jay Connolly
Ms. Kim Edgson
Mrs. Lynne Grass
Mr. Morgan McLeod
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
