Helping to develop conscientious youths at Briercrest Christian Academy (BCA) during her first year of teaching was a rewarding experience for Shayla Alexander, as her class radically changed her view about student-athletes.
Alexander graduated from BCA in 2011 and always knew she wanted to return to teach, so she thought it was fortunate that her first full-time job in September 2018 was in the same room where she took English Language Arts (ELA). She also had preconceived notions about what her first year would be like, but became nervous after learning she would be teaching 24 Grade 10s from Prairie Hockey Academy.
“… I thought, ‘Really?’ I’m very small and I felt a little bit overwhelmed. It came with its challenges, but it was definitely rewarding,” she told the Moose Jaw Express during a discussion to promote a virtual open house on Thursday, March 25.
“As a teacher, sometimes you don’t give yourself enough credit for the change or the difference you make in students’ lives when you really are dedicated to seeking them where they’re at and helping them to learn from that place.”
Reasons for BCA
Students should attend BCA because it’s advantageous to live on campus, while small class sizes ensure teachers know and care for their pupils, Alexander said. BCA is also “unapologetically Christian,” so it is concerned with growing the whole person, including the spiritual side. This allows teachers and students to share their faith, while students know when they leave that most people around them care.
Alexander — currently a BCA student recruiter — has also recounted her time as a first-year teacher in a blog post on the BCA website.
A change in perspective
The hockey players were regularly busy with training and playing, so Alexander had to be flexible in class and adapt on the fly, she chuckled. However, this helped her to foster better relationships with the young men.
“It was really meaningful. And perhaps I did make a difference in their lives. I did maybe teach them something about not only English but teamwork and respect and how you engage with other people who are different than you,” she said.
Alexander was a figure skater and grew up around hockey players but usually had negative views about them. While teaching them was surprising and challenging, it was also rewarding since the stereotypical idea of hockey players was changed.
Many removed their hats when entering the room, handed in their cellphones, and listened intently. They engaged in prayers and participated in “Thankful Thursday” traditions while they committed to finishing a novel while on a road trip. One student even wrote a note thanking Alexander for her support.
Alexander thought the student-athletes demonstrated admirable leadership qualities and worthily conducted themselves.
Creating life champions
PHA exists to create life champions and help student-athletes live out the organization’s missional values, which means developing good hockey players and good people, said Alexander. Life champions also know what it takes to succeed and put in the work to achieve that, even when facing obstacles.
Alexander thought it was “awe-inspiring work” to help create life champions, especially since today’s youths can easily detect if someone is authentic.
Students are more willing to listen to adults if there is trust, she continued. Youths don’t have to share their lives even if trust is present, so she was humbled that the youths saw her as a stakeholder invested in their lives.
“I will always draw on this class as one that taught me how important it is to build relationship with students. Knowing your students, I believe, is key to building a successful learning environment,” she added. “Everyone wants to be known … .”
Visit www.briercrestchristianacademy.hca/experience for more information about the March 25 virtual open house.
