As children go this month, teachers too are heading back to class and for many of them, this will be their first experience in front of young, eager minds.
For Stephanie Hodgson, her new job at KELSET Elementary School in North Saanich isnB次元官网网址檛 her first time in front of students B次元官网网址� but her class of Grade 3 and 4 kids is her first full-time teaching gig. What has made it special for the StellyB次元官网网址檚 Secondary grad, is itB次元官网网址檚 the school where her mom, Marilyn, ended her teaching career of 35 years.
Mom and daughter got together in StephanieB次元官网网址檚 class at the end of the and spoke with the B次元官网网址 Review about the two generations of the same family making their mark as teachers at KELSET.
B次元官网网址淭his is my very first full-time contract,B次元官网网址� Stephanie said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e learned everything I hope in a teacher B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檝e learned it from my mom. SheB次元官网网址檚 just such an inspiration to me. She demonstrates a passion for the career.B次元官网网址�
Stephanie attended the University of Victoria after she graduated from StellyB次元官网网址檚 and then spent a year working in London, England. She said she taught in a Year 4 (Grade 3) class there and said while it was a different way of teaching, it was a great learning experience. While in London, she said she taught a group of 30 students. At KELSET this year, Stephanie will be in front of 21.
Part of that difference is last yearB次元官网网址檚 Supreme Court of Canada decision that ruled class sizes should go back to 2002 levels. That has had some school districts scrambling to find space for new classrooms and additional teachers to fill them. ThatB次元官网网址檚 part of how Stephanie got the job at KELSET.
B次元官网网址淥riginally, I did not see the posting for this position. One of the teachers at the school called me the night before the job was going to be assigned. I applied, kept my fingers crossed B次元官网网址� and sure enough, I got the job B次元官网网址� last Tuesday.B次元官网网址�
She added her mom is a natural, having done the job for so long, and has been able to help her with the transition into the elementary school.
B次元官网网址淚 know so many of the staff members here. Already walking in, I felt so welcomed and so comfortable in the space.B次元官网网址�
Her mom Marilyn was part of the team that started teaching at KELSET when it opened in 2008, replacing both McTavish and Saanichton elementary schools. She got her start in HudsonB次元官网网址檚 Hope in northern B.C. Her family would later move to Prince George and for the last 25 years, she has been working in School District 63 (Saanich). She retired two years ago.
Marilyn said the culture at the school is tremendous, having integrated students from around the area, including the PeninsulaB次元官网网址檚 First Nations communities.
Marilyn is proud of her daughter for pursuing a teaching career B次元官网网址� and for landing a job at the school where she ended her career.
B次元官网网址淭he staff is amazing. She knows a lot of the parents already and the kids really respond well to her,B次元官网网址� she said, adding Stephanie is athletic and will be involved in the school in that way as well.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot to learn,B次元官网网址� Stephanie said. B次元官网网址淚 know IB次元官网网址檒l always be learning in this profession. Learning is never done B次元官网网址� my mom can attest to that.B次元官网网址�
Marilyn said thereB次元官网网址檃 lot of joy in teaching as a profession. She said the connections sheB次元官网网址檚 made over her long career has made it very rewarding.
B次元官网网址淲e are passing the torch. Hopefully (Stephanie) will just run with it and make it an amazing career.B次元官网网址�
