The Grade 9 Families

Every now and again something very special happens between a group of individuals at the professional level. In this case, it is a group of junoir high teachers led by a very confident and passionate administrator. I have worked in multple schools as a substitute, and again on a longer two year assignment at the high school level and never have I witnessed a group of co-workers gel and collaborate to produce such amazing things! I think the best part about this, is that I get to be part of it for the time being.

I am finally adjusting to the Ablerta way of dividing students into certain divisions and having a school within school atmosphere. At St. Joe's, the term high school refers to grades 10-12 only, but within the school there is a junior high of grade 9's that have a separate time table, lunch, and for the most part, 'wing' of the school. The rules and policies are essentially formulated to restrict the amount of time junior and senior high 'mingle'. I have been fortunate enough as a first year teacher in this district to be a part of both the junior and senior agendas. While it makes it tough to offer extra help during the day to my senior students and makes for one complicated exam supervision schedule, I feel I have benefitted most from this split. Mainly because I have become part of a unique network of individuals at the junior high level.

The Grade 9 Family network at St. Joe's is flourishing, and I don't believe it would under any normal circumstances. At the moment, this 'family' is comprised of unique talents and dedicated teachers that make up a young core of educators that if kept together over an extended period of time could transform the junior high experience and create a transition of ease for grade 9 students entering the wings of the school in the following year.

I have never worked with a group of people who are willing to put themselves out there, collaborate on in class and out of class events, and promote such an inspirational and learning condusive environment. It is not often that you get a core group of employees that are innovative, flexible, and willing to collaborate. We push each other to see who can come up with the new teaching model, we defy complacency.

We are 'family'.