Rick Stiebel

B次元官网网址 Staff

Finding the right balance for school, sport and life became quite the juggling act for Ryan Cochrane, especially as his proficiency in the pool increased to Olympic athlete levels.

B次元官网网址淟earning what dedication meant and how much I had to forgo in order to gain success meant I had to manage both my time and my energy,B次元官网网址� Cochrane explained. B次元官网网址淪ometimes school came first and at other times, swimming.B次元官网网址�

The formula he came up with obviously worked out for the Saanich native, who earned a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Bejiing and a silver in London in the 1,500 metres four years later.

He remembers the effort it took to get up before 5 a.m. to train, followed frequently by days of 12 hours or more.

B次元官网网址淚t taught me how to see long-term goals through,B次元官网网址� said Cochrane, who recently announced his retirement. B次元官网网址淭here wasnB次元官网网址檛 always immediate satisfaction, but I always knew what I was working towards.B次元官网网址�

The Great Teachers series, sponsored by Black Press Community Media and Staples Business Depot West Shore with support from Camosun College, highlights the amazing work teachers do every day in classrooms throughout the Capital Region.

Cochrane is quick to credit teachers whose support and flexibility played major roles in helping him achieve his goals.

B次元官网网址淲arren Hamm, my Grade 4 teacher at Lochside Elementary, was an incredibly invested person who taught us not only how to be excellent students in the classroom, but how to excel outside of those walls as well,B次元官网网址� Cochrane recalled. B次元官网网址淔rom community activities to weekend bike trips, he went more than above and beyond and still remains one of my favourite teachers.B次元官网网址�

While struggles with the demands of training caused him to sometimes fall asleep in class, CochraneB次元官网网址檚 Grade 10 math teacher at Claremont secondary understood and worked with him to excel in that subject. B次元官网网址淗e always stayed positive and helpful.B次元官网网址�

His science teacher at Claremont, Anul Nijjar, brought a level of commitment to each student every day that Cochrane will never forget. B次元官网网址淪cience was never a subject that I was very good at but she made it enthralling,B次元官网网址� Cochrane said, adding that Nijjar motivated him so much he entered a science fair.

Cochrane was also keen to include David Medler, a professor at the University of Victoria.

He taught statistics, a class that wasnB次元官网网址檛 met with much enthusiasm by most students,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淣ot only was I terrified of that class, but I had heard horror stories about how much of a GPA ruiner it could be. David somehow made a relatively dry subject one of my favourite classes of all at university. I still look back and think how impressive that was.B次元官网网址�

Cochrane believes the balancing act of life in and out of sports is never easy, and there will always be difficult days. He is extremely grateful for the teachers that taught him the importance of being a good student.

B次元官网网址淭hey helped me realize that thereB次元官网网址檚 life after sport, a notion that instills a lot of encouragement during your time as an athlete. Sport canB次元官网网址檛 last forever but your education will, so choose the best balance and donB次元官网网址檛 take the easy road.B次元官网网址�

To nominate a teacher who has made a difference, go to .