This regular series profiles the work that goes on in Grand Erie, and how each role contributes to the goal of Success for Every Student.

It’s 7:45 a.m., and Tara McFarling, Grade 8 teacher at Major Ballachey Public School, is taking care of last-minute details for the school’s PRIDE assembly later that morning. PRIDE is an acronym standing for Positive Attitude, Respect, Involvement, Dedication, and Excellence, and it’s the first assembly of the year to honour a student from each classroom whose actions reflect these qualities.

Everyone in Grand Erie is likely familiar with the Multi-Year Plan’s goal of Success for Every Student, but they may not realize that one person is responsible for helping us understand it. “I’m the one who tracks the successes,” says Greg Rousell, the Board’s System Research Leader. No matter what you do in Grand Erie, his work has probably informed your role in some way.

Even though he wears many hats at Grand Erie in his role as Itinerant Teacher, Indigenous Engagement and Support, Joe Tice prefers a simple title that seems to cover all of it: Coach Joe.

Matthew Malcolm’s office door is basically always open, and there’s no such thing as an interruption. “I fit in what I need to get done around what students need,” says Malcolm, Guidance Counsellor at Delhi District Secondary School. “No two days are the same, and if something comes up, the open-door policy means there are literally no barriers to finding a solution.” His role requires this flexibility because students’ future successes are on the line.

As soon as Jeff Benner, Principal at Hagersville Secondary School, walks into the main office first thing in the morning, there are crucial issues to be dealt with and important decisions to make. Issues around student well-being and mental health, cyber security, and other pressing matters are all in a day’s work.

“We understand the complexity and the intersection of a student’s behaviour compared to what’s going on in their life,” Bibby says of the research and evidence-based approaches her team takes with students and cannabis, and on all matters. “Any discipline should be with the end result of helping to support a student, and helping support a behaviour change.”

As sure as the winds will change, Philip Kuckyt, Manager of Transportation Services, can rely on the fact that each day on the job will be different. But unlike many professions, the weather isn’t just a metaphor for him.