Rick Stiebel

Black Press

It took a year away from school to set Lisa Ziebart on a course that carried her back to the classroom.

B次元官网网址淭eaching found me,B次元官网网址� explained Ziebart, one of this yearB次元官网网址檚 selections. B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 know what I wanted to study, so I needed to take a gap year after graduating from Belmont secondary.B次元官网网址�

After a year in England working as a teacherB次元官网网址檚 assistant and coaching field hockey, Ziebart returned to Victoria and took courses at .

B次元官网网址淚 realized something was missing, and that was being in the classroom.B次元官网网址�

She earned bachelor degrees in education and arts, and a masters in education, she taught at international schools in Taiwan and Macao for five years.

B次元官网网址淭hat absolutely allowed me to develop my skills and interact with colleagues and students from all over the world with different perspectives,B次元官网网址� said Ziebart, who is in her fifth year of teaching social studies for Grade 9 to 12 at .

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 still learning and evolving every year,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淣ew experiences and connections every year helps keep it fresh.B次元官网网址�

Ziebart believes an experiential, constructive approach that creates learning experiences and opportunities works best.

B次元官网网址淟earning is all about the students,B次元官网网址� she noted. B次元官网网址淭o not involve them is a disservice to the development of their learning skills.B次元官网网址�

Ziebart said itB次元官网网址檚 important to acknowledge the challenges that come with the territory. B次元官网网址淎 lot of teachers would probably say that thereB次元官网网址檚 not enough time to accomplish all the goals we set,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important not to get bogged down and continue to strive to set the bar high.B次元官网网址�

She enjoys working at an independent all girls school because of the opportunity to make long-lasting connections.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of fun to work with students from K to Grade 12 and see them grow and develop from kindergarten through to graduation,B次元官网网址� Ziebart said. B次元官网网址淪mall class sizes are really tailored to focusing on improving studentsB次元官网网址� learning experiences. ItB次元官网网址檚 rewarding to see the students grow through the work I do with them.B次元官网网址�

Involvement in the schoolB次元官网网址檚 extra-curricular outreach programs is another plus. B次元官网网址淲orking with a group of students and different organizations to make a difference locally and globally is very rewarding,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 incredible to see students work together for that common goal.B次元官网网址�

Ziebart credits her 6 a.m. sessions with a cross-fit group for preparing her for the classroom. B次元官网网址淚t gives me the positive energy I need.B次元官网网址�

Regarding her Great Teachers nomination, Ziebart said itB次元官网网址檚 not about the acknowledgment.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very demanding profession, so an initiative like this is important for building a better understanding of the work we do. ItB次元官网网址檚 inspired me to nominate one of my colleagues for next yearB次元官网网址檚 Great Teachers.B次元官网网址�

The Great Teachers program is presented by Black Press and Staples, in partnership with Camosun College.