Why did you decide to come to VC?

I came for a few reasons. One was definitely the all-boys atmosphere; it was something that really interested me. As someone who had coached sports for years, I was interested in trying an all-boys environment. My high school used to be an all-boys school, and was previously a seminary, but it was co-ed when I attended it. When I heard about Vancouver College,  I was drawn to it because it was an all-boys school. It felt like a perfect fit for someone like me. 

(Did you grow up with all-boys siblings?) 

I have six siblings: three older brothers and three younger sisters. I spent more time with my brothers than my sisters, so I’m used to being around boys.

What made you want to become a teacher?

When I finished high school, I initially wanted to become a lawyer.  I started attending the University of Ottawa to pursue a criminology degree and become a lawyer. After my first year, I went home for the summer and talked to a former history teacher who had become my mentor. She suggested I consider teaching, which I hadn’t thought about before. Becoming a lawyer was all I had in mind. I volunteered in her class and enjoyed it, so I switched my studies to history - perfect for teaching high school. 

The desire to teach grew, and I found coaching a natural fit, as I've coached soccer and basketball. Currently, I’m coaching the grade 7 soccer team alongside Mr. Finn. This is my first school, and I’m feeling confident, though I have a long way to go to catch Mr. Budai, who has been here for a long time. 

What's one thing you’ve liked about being at VC?

Oh, definitely the people. The people here are incredibly supportive. Even before I got hired, I had great conversations with Mr. Legge and Mr. Weaver. After I got the job, they made sure I felt fully supported before school started. For example, my mentor, Mr. Koz, checks in and helps me whenever I need it. Mr. Ricci, who’s room is right beside me, is also fantastic. He’s super supportive - and even just the little things like checking up on me have phenomenally impacted my overall experience. 

From my perspective as the new teacher here, the staff have been fantastic. It’s been a smooth transition. And of course, I’ve had so much fun meeting the students and learning about them. The relationships you make are the best part of teaching. There’s a quote on VC’s website that says it’s not what a student will learn, but from whom they will learn. Teaching is really relational, and those relationships are important. If you don’t like someone, you won’t learn much from them. Good teachers really make good students.

What are some of your favourite hobbies? 

Well, I’m a diehard Steelers fan. I know there are some Bears, Cardinals, and Broncos fans here, but I’m a big Steelers fan. I also love watching soccer.  I’ve played soccer all my life, so it’s another big hobby. 

(Did you play soccer in university?)

Not with the university but outside of it. I'm from Ontario, where I was born. 

(When did you move to BC?) 

Oh, recently in 2022. I love playing soccer, swimming and being around the ocean. I also enjoy fantasy books and movies, especially The Lord of the Rings. I’m a big fan, absolutely love that stuff. I also enjoy reading and writing, aside from sports.

Who has had the biggest impact on your life? 

My parents - especially my dad, I've always looked up to him. They’ve always been there for me. My siblings are also important because they’re always around and make a difference. The people you choose to be close to also matter. You’ll start to see this in the next few years. The people you are close to now are those in these buildings because you’re here five days a week. This will change in a few years when you graduate. When that happens, you’ll see who you really like being around and who you’re just around because you have to see them. Those people will make a big impact on your life. 

For me, my grandparents are some of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. They’re kind, maternal, and always take care of me. I actually had this thought the other day: when I get married, I’d love for them to walk me down the aisle. 

What is your favourite subject in school and why?

My favourite subject in school is history for sure. I think humans are the most interesting thing on the planet. We’re the only self-aware species that we know who are constantly changing and advancing. How many hairstyles have you had? How often do you get new glasses? What do you wear?  Like, we constantly change who we are. Even just imagining how much a person changes in one life is crazy. Now consider how much people have changed over the 200,000 years we’ve been human. I find it mind-boggling how much we’ve changed in the 10,000 years of recorded history. Studying history gives us insights into people that we wouldn’t otherwise have access to. I love learning about how people worked, what they did, how they acted, and what they thought was important. 

I wanted to teach Social Studies, but I was offered a Religion position in grade 8. The Old Testament is historical, so I agreed to it. As a first-year teacher with my own classroom and daily responsibilities, I found it more appealing than being a substitute for Social Studies. Substitutes don’t have the same level of connection with students. The day-to-day existence of a teacher is different, even though they’re in school. Having a classroom of my own was a huge perk that I didn’t want to miss. So, I ended up teaching Religion and the Old Testament. It was an amazing experience and haven't looked back since.