My strategy from last week worked!! (Thanks to Lydia!!) Dasha C responded with a personal update and, thus, she is now this week's Student of the Week.
Dasha graduated a few years ago now. She was in my grade 9 class during my first year at King George. Then she CS'ed for me when I taught PE (yes, PE!!!) the following year. And, finally, I taught her PreCalculus 11. Oh, and we were also CLASSMATES!! We both took French 12 together (when Ms. E was kind enough to let me take the class). So that's four straight years of spending lots of time with Dasha! Lucky, lucky me!
In fact, I just thought of one more instance where our paths crossed. Dasha was on the tennis team the one year I helped out with the team (not that I am skilled at tennis in anyway). Dasha is a phenomenal athlete. If memory serves me right she won Female Athlete of the Year when she was in grade 12 (look for her name on one of those plaques in the foyer). Dasha has this kind of deceptive style on the tennis court. She never looked like she was actually exerting herself that much. She's one of those naturally athletic people who makes everything look easy... while they destroy their competition.
This style matches Dasha's personality. She is always very laid-back and at-ease. Couple this with an awesome sense of humour and Dasha is one fun person to be around! No wonder that she was so well-liked by her classmates (and teachers!) at KG.
I owe Dasha some thanks. For she played a part in me dressing more professionally (I think!) since I arrived at King George. I used to wear jeans and a casual shirt (never a tie!) when I first started here. But then I had the following conversation with a student one day:
Mystery Student: You know, you are a good teacher, Mr. Wadge. But you will never be as good as Mr. Modder.
Me: Oh? Really? Why not?
Mystery Student: Because Mr. Modder wears a tie everyday and you never do. You should wear a tie sometimes.
Me: Hmmmmmm...
Now I have always attributed this conversation to Dasha but she has informed me recently that is was NOT, in fact, her! So who was it! Perhaps it was the "Russian Dasha" from the same grad class?
That being said, I still DO believe that Dasha told me, on the first day I DID wear a tie to KG, that "that looks good Mr. Wadge. You should wear a tie more often. After all, teachers should not be dressing like their students dress".
What do you think, DC? Could this have been you who said this. In my recollection it is definitely YOU! (and if so, thanks for the good advice!)
So what has Dasha been up to since graduating from high school? In her own words:
"I have been keeping busy with School at SFU. I am in my third year of a Bachelor of Communication and I am hoping to do a minor in Dialogue. Communication is quite a varied field in terms of career options so I really have no idea what kind of work I'll end up doing.
Apart from school, I also work part time at community centres doing youth and children's programs and I joined a co-rec soccer team a while back so I've been keeping busy with that as well.
A bit over a year ago I was in Southeast Asia (the picture above was taken in Cambodia) and I've been eager to go backpacking again ever since. I'd like to do some travelling and volunteering in Central America next and beyond that I am hoping I'll have the chance to get a working holiday visa for Australia. Eventually I would pretty much like to go everywhere though."
One last thing I have to say about Dasha is that she comes from one awesome family. I'm not even sure if I've ever met her parents but her older brother (who I never taught) is a very nice guy and younger sister Lydia is completely wonderful. A+ to mom and dad for their parenting! Way to go Cotic family!
I always loved teaching you Dasha! I am so glad (but not at all surprised) that things are going so well for you. Keep on smiling, keep on exploring the world and PLEASE... keep in touch! I wish you all the best Dasha!
Dasha graduated a few years ago now. She was in my grade 9 class during my first year at King George. Then she CS'ed for me when I taught PE (yes, PE!!!) the following year. And, finally, I taught her PreCalculus 11. Oh, and we were also CLASSMATES!! We both took French 12 together (when Ms. E was kind enough to let me take the class). So that's four straight years of spending lots of time with Dasha! Lucky, lucky me!
In fact, I just thought of one more instance where our paths crossed. Dasha was on the tennis team the one year I helped out with the team (not that I am skilled at tennis in anyway). Dasha is a phenomenal athlete. If memory serves me right she won Female Athlete of the Year when she was in grade 12 (look for her name on one of those plaques in the foyer). Dasha has this kind of deceptive style on the tennis court. She never looked like she was actually exerting herself that much. She's one of those naturally athletic people who makes everything look easy... while they destroy their competition.
This style matches Dasha's personality. She is always very laid-back and at-ease. Couple this with an awesome sense of humour and Dasha is one fun person to be around! No wonder that she was so well-liked by her classmates (and teachers!) at KG.
I owe Dasha some thanks. For she played a part in me dressing more professionally (I think!) since I arrived at King George. I used to wear jeans and a casual shirt (never a tie!) when I first started here. But then I had the following conversation with a student one day:
Mystery Student: You know, you are a good teacher, Mr. Wadge. But you will never be as good as Mr. Modder.
Me: Oh? Really? Why not?
Mystery Student: Because Mr. Modder wears a tie everyday and you never do. You should wear a tie sometimes.
Me: Hmmmmmm...
Now I have always attributed this conversation to Dasha but she has informed me recently that is was NOT, in fact, her! So who was it! Perhaps it was the "Russian Dasha" from the same grad class?
That being said, I still DO believe that Dasha told me, on the first day I DID wear a tie to KG, that "that looks good Mr. Wadge. You should wear a tie more often. After all, teachers should not be dressing like their students dress".
What do you think, DC? Could this have been you who said this. In my recollection it is definitely YOU! (and if so, thanks for the good advice!)
So what has Dasha been up to since graduating from high school? In her own words:
"I have been keeping busy with School at SFU. I am in my third year of a Bachelor of Communication and I am hoping to do a minor in Dialogue. Communication is quite a varied field in terms of career options so I really have no idea what kind of work I'll end up doing.
Apart from school, I also work part time at community centres doing youth and children's programs and I joined a co-rec soccer team a while back so I've been keeping busy with that as well.
A bit over a year ago I was in Southeast Asia (the picture above was taken in Cambodia) and I've been eager to go backpacking again ever since. I'd like to do some travelling and volunteering in Central America next and beyond that I am hoping I'll have the chance to get a working holiday visa for Australia. Eventually I would pretty much like to go everywhere though."
One last thing I have to say about Dasha is that she comes from one awesome family. I'm not even sure if I've ever met her parents but her older brother (who I never taught) is a very nice guy and younger sister Lydia is completely wonderful. A+ to mom and dad for their parenting! Way to go Cotic family!
I always loved teaching you Dasha! I am so glad (but not at all surprised) that things are going so well for you. Keep on smiling, keep on exploring the world and PLEASE... keep in touch! I wish you all the best Dasha!
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