LEARNing Online

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.  – Henry Adams

As a former teacher in what now seems to be another life, I did not realize the impact I made on the lives of students.  Today, years and years after I stopped teaching I occasionally come across a former student who asks me if I remember them.  I always say Yes even though in most cases I simply do not.  Over the years I taught many students but now their names and faces have mostly faded into some fog I refer to as once upon a time.  I tell them I remember not to hurt their feelings as everyone wants to be remembered in one way or another.  They remind of what they did in my classes, how they enjoyed this and that, and how to this very day, what happened in that classroom made a difference in their lives.  What a humbling thought!  But so it is with teachers who give of themselves so selflessly, so generously, and who are devoted to their students.  For these reasons, teaching is without question, the most noble of professions.  It does not get the recognition or appreciation it deserves, and while some make more money, and others are mechanics who tend the human body, or interpret laws, or build bridges, teachers shape the future.  

At LEARN, our Virtual School Teachers and Tutors mold and shape and sculpt the future using all of their amazing talents while demonstrating those true human qualities our society needs to have imparted on its youth.  How fortunate we are, and what a true blessing it is that they are there for our students.  I appreciate our educators.  One day a former student will tell them, “You made a difference.  Without you, I am not sure what I would have done.”  I know this as a certainty because I know our teachers.  

Michael Canuel, Ed.D.

Message from Margaret Dupuis, Director

I grew up in a family of educators. My mother and her two sisters were teachers, and because my mom taught all day, our father was our homework tutor. Their efforts and high expectations were crucial in assuring our academic success.  I was also from a small community, and as I think back, many of my teachers took on the same role.  They protected, guided, and encouraged.   They pushed us to learn, made sure we were involved in all kinds of activities, sports and clubs, inspiring us, and keeping us safe.  Together, the family unit and our teachers were all very actively involved in encouraging all three children in our family, to reach for the stars and find our niche in life.

As an administrator, I look at the great educators I work with and I have to say you are amazing people.  You give unselfishly, spend hours trying to find ways to engage and stimulate young minds.  You comfort during crises, are empathetic when life is cruel. In a time of divided families and isolation, you often provide kind words and a happy environment where your students can feel safe and supported. You listen and provide great advice, or sometimes just listen. You rejoice in your students’ successes and feel sorrow in their losses. You can be funny and silly at times, bringing joy to the lives of your pupils.  You always seem to be there when most needed.  You allow your students to fall but not too hard, and are there to pick them up – certainly sounds like a parent to me.  And, of course, you also enlighten young minds with knowledge and lifelong skills.  You are a friend, a confidante, an instructor, a facilitator, a crutch to lean on – how lucky our children are to be surrounded by such extraordinary individuals.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate our teachers, tutors and educational staff, who together, accomplish all of these great and wonderful things. I hear so many great stories from parents such as, “how kind you were, how their child would not have passed without your help, how you made a difference in their child’s life, how you helped their child enjoy school…” I could go on and on.

Your dedication has made an incredible impact on the accomplishments of the learners you work with and you play an essential parental role in their successes and future.  In this very busy world where everything seems to be moving so fast and time is very limited, you are needed more than ever to ensure safe and nurturing environments for your students.    Without you, where would our children be!

Just thinking here about Teacher Appreciation Week

If you look at the origins of the word appreciation, you will find that it comes from an old Latin word meaning “to set a price”.  Obviously it is impossible to put a price on the value of a teacher.   I could take the cliché route and say that teachers are “priceless”, and while true, that is simply a tired of way of expressing oneself.

So, let’s look at this differently.  Price is dependent on cost so I prefer to ask the question, “What would it cost us as a society not to have teachers who care and nurture and guide and share and who are selfless, generous, knowledgeable, and accessible.  And if after we stopped trying to calculate the cost to a world that does not have teachers, and we then tried “to set a price” on what we would be ready to pay for these amazing individuals, the real question is,  “Would we be able to afford them?  Just me wondering here!

Sincere thanks to our LEARN teachers and tutors who day in and out, stand out for their commitment to excellence.

Dr. Michael J. Canuel  

CEO, LEARN

Plan to join our FINAL #LQchat of the 2016-2017 school year!

There may be a few surprises – be ready for anything!

When: Monday, May 1, 8 PM

Where: Twitter

Ask your online teacher for details.

We are SO lucky to work with AMAZING students from across Quebec.  We were at a conference on Valentine’s Day this year, but we were thinking about you!!