Today, Oct. 5 is World Teacher’s Day – a day to recognize the importance of teachers and what they do. We should be thanking our teachers and educators every day, but it’s nice to see that there is this single day of world recognition.
At the Sept. 27th Delta School District board meeting, trustees and district staff thanked all the educators in the district for the role they play in transforming the lives of younger generations.
This sentiment and today’s day of recognition has got me thinking back to the teachers and educators who helped shape my life and provided me with the guidance to walk along my life path. A few that come to mind are Martin McDonnell and Al Jones.
Coach McDonnell as I call him, first came into my life in Grade 9 and 10 at the former Hastings Junior Secondary School in Port Coquitlam.
I still remember that first PE class with him and afterwards thinking, ‘Wow, we have a drill instructor for our new teacher.’ But slowly, over time, he became my coach as he helped build a new football program at the school. Over the years, he also became a mentor and has now become a friend. He is retired from teaching, but we still connect on Facebook.
The other one that stands out is Jones, the former vice-principal and head football coach at Port Moody Senior Secondary. Mr. Jones was always there for me, he listened, and inspired me to be a better person, both on and off the football field.
He helped lead us to the 1991 provincial title – a night at BC Place Stadium that I will never forget. I cherish these two influential educators who guided me in those years.
Today, and every day, make sure to thank our teachers for all that they have done and continue to do.
