Northwood Staff meeting as special guest, February 15, 2023

1. My Life & My Time in
Elementary School
and Beyond.

2. Elementary School Saved My Life.

3. Overcoming
Life’s Obstacles?

4. Dr. H.D. Taylor Public School

5. August 1988
• Two older brothers
• Born February 7, 1989

6. Growing Up
• Parents separated when I was
aged 3.
• Never met my grandfathers,
relationship with grandmothers
not strong as they lived in
different places in Canada. No
aunts, uncles, or cousins
living in Windsor.
• Not a lot of money, Father
single parent raising 3 boys
(but still worked hard).
• Brothers started to get into
trouble and entered the system
(foster care, youth offenders,
expelled from school).
• Mother’s alcoholism.

7. • My mother’s
continued
struggles with
addiction,
alcohol, mental
health.
• Her partner
suffered from the
same problems.
• Her parent lost
his battles with
his struggles the
summer of 1998.

8. July 18, 1998
• Mother’s tragic
passing the summer
before Grade 5.
• Needed support;
searching for
something.

9. No More
Answers…I Was
Different.

10. Little Family Support; Only Family in Windsor

11. Brothers Incarceration, Letters, Jail Visits

12. Dr. H.D. Taylor Public
School
• At this point, school
took on an entirely new
meaning for me.
• My Grade 5 teacher would
become my greatest
mentor.
• All the teachers and
administration inspired
me and got me the help
and motivation I needed.
• Gave me hope for the
future.

13. The Power of School to Make a Difference

14. Inspiration

15. Because my
Teachers
Believed in Me.

17. Above & Beyond

18. As a Teenager, Life
Took a Turn; Inner
Voice of People who
Believed in me got me
Through!

19. Floated
Through The
Rest of High
School

20. Missed Years. Struggles. Traumatic Bond.

21. Life Changing Lunch
• After high school and
travelling the country, I
was stuck in a rut with
little motivation.
• My mentor teacher calls me
out and we go for lunch.
• Following lunch he says,
“Let’s take a ride to the
University and look at some
programs”.
• From that point I registered
for school and started
university 5 months later.

22. 20 years later

23. Lasting Memories w/mentor teacher

26. Superheroes
• Keep the flame of motivation
burning, to inspire and help
students.
• These students need you like
I needed you in elementary
school.
• This wonderful profession
gives us the chance to make
a real difference.
• You could be the reason a
child comes to school.
• Even if you feel
unappreciated and you might
never know the impact you’re
making, but you are.