Academic
Bachelor of Education
Major Physical Sciences
Minor Mathematics
Journeyman Carpenter
Red Seal Carpenter
If I have managed to find success as a teacher, and a builder, there are some foundational reasons. Besides the personal, such as a supportive family, I have come to realize that I actually have a knack at forming strong relationships beyond. In effect, partnerships are imperative!
I have had many thousands of human interactions as a teacher and coach. Having the honor to be in the classroom with our youth requires an unmatched trust that can only be bestowed onto an adult who has the assignment of raising children. Having never broken that trust, I continue to have contact with many of my former students. Some are still learning at post secondary schools, and many more are on their own, even my competitors! Good on them! The life of a teacher is extremely rewarding especially when hearing of our student's success, but the job is rather complex. The tool kit used to ensure a successful day cannot be listed in totality; well planned, patient, empathetic, demanding, humorous, knowledgeable, compassionate, resourceful, energetic, and the stare of an eagle, are all employed, every day, but again, above all, forming respectful relationships with colleagues is all important.
As well, I am a home builder, and have been for nearly the same number of years as I was a teacher. In the teaching offseason I managed to build homes on speculation. Some of these homes are built on lots that I developed and I have found success in land development and construction. Given that there are many companies involved in a land development projects, and the building of a house, schedules, equipment and materials must be orchestrated to ensure an efficient work flow. Project management skills are a necessity and a business owner must be a conscientious negotiator with a keen ability to troubleshoot. In this realm of competition, difficult decisions must be made as allegiances only carry as far as profits allow. I have taken calculated risks, and have employed many people along the way. I have worked with various government agencies to satisfy conditions of project development. This aspect of my life is hectic, but gives a totally different sense of satisfaction whilst knowing that this could only occur by having positive relationships with the various actors involved.
I believe that my experiences as a teacher and business owner give me a perspective that might be rather unique in the House. I know that taxes are required to fund our valued social programs. The right social program, like education, is actually an intelligent investment. But let me be clear, I do not like paying taxes out of habit. Rather than a 'hand out,' I lean toward giving a 'hand up' but do recognize that there are some of us who, for a number of reasons, are having a difficult time. For folks like this, I, along with our communities, have empathy and will work to find the supports needed to find some happiness.
Work (abbreviated work history)
Teacher
28 years employed with Pembina Hills School Division in various roles
Self Employed
Licensed Home builder from 1994 to current
Land Developer
Community
volunteer hockey and badminton coach (this is a while ago)
volunteer at the long term care center
recently volunteered my time to construct the foundation of the Vermillion School, at it's new home, the Canadian Tractor Museum
Spare Hours
I enjoy the following: family time, traveling to learn, watching nature, reading to learn, kayaking, building, friends, playing guitar, sports, good movies, fishing, astronomy, and my canine friends. I have a private pilot's license (I have not flown for several years) and a scuba diving license (to 50' deep).
Politically Influenced by....
Thomas Sowell
Francis Fukuyama
Milton Friedman
Michael Sandel
George Orwell
Patrick Moore