Teacher Hall of Fame: Mr. Landry
Nathan Pentland
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For those who do not know, Mr. Landry is a fine teacher at our school. He teaches Grade Seven French, History, Geography, Science and Physical Education. He’s been teaching at LDH for 12 years, and most of you have probably interacted with him along the way. He is a very interesting person, and in reading this interview, I hope you’ll see why. So, let’s dive in!
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: “I grew up in North Bay and lived there till I was ten, then moved to Ottawa in ‘82. I moved because my dad took a job at the CTFA (Canadian Track and Field Association).”
Q: Tell us about your family growing up.
A: “Family of four, my mom, dad, myself and my brother.”
Q: What were your interests as a child?
A: “I read a lot, collected comics and toy soldiers. I also played on the Atari and those systems. In the summer I also played soccer.”
Q: What challenges did you face in your childhood?
A: “I had a temper. Controlling my temper, and having other people prod me to get that response. One time, my friend bodychecked me in lacrosse and I chased him down to hit him back.”
Q: Why did you choose to become a teacher?
A: “ At first I didn’t think about becoming a teacher. I finished my degree and my dad was telling me to get a job or have a plan. The plan was to volunteer in a grade 5 class, and I liked it. I volunteered at Pinecrest School, and that really got me started”
Q: Do you feel that the fact your dad was a teacher influenced your job choice?
A: “Oh, completely. Both my parents were teachers, my gramma was a librarian, my uncle was a prof and my two aunts were also teachers.”
Q: What did you get your degree in?
A: “My degrees were in History and English. I have a double major in History and English.”
Q: If you had a degree in English, then how did you come to teach French?
A: “From kindergarten to grade 13, I was in a French school. I then switched to English at Queens where I got my English and History majors. Also, the French side of the teacher’s college was more open and needed lower marks.”
Q: At any point did your dad teach you in school?
A: “No, if we stayed in North Bay, he would have, but we moved and he switched jobs before I got to that age.”
Q: Did you face any dissuasion from anyone about becoming a teacher?
A: “Not really, a lot of my family were teachers, so it was mostly ‘Are you sure?’. I’ve never taught below grade 6.”
Q: What was your greatest challenge as a teacher?
A: “Just adapting. Before, there was no internet, no phones and curriculum changes. The pandemic certainly didn’t help either.”
Q: If teaching hadn’t worked out, where would you have worked?
A: “Before I went to teacher’s college, I wanted to get my Master’s or PhD in History and become a prof at a university.”
Q: As of right now, what are your hobbies or interests outside of school?
A: “With my hip surgery, I can’t play soccer, but I golf. I still do read a lot, and still play video games.”
Q: Would you like to give our readers any advice for their days at Longfields?
A: “Enjoy your time here, because it will be over before you know it.”
Thank you for reading this interview. I hope it has given you the window into Mr. Landry as it has for me.
Thank you for reading and I hope to see you next time on this edition of the Raven’s Call.
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