Thursday, April 4, 2019
VOLUME 1 I ISSUE 40
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
Almond gets “A” for Arbos
TAYLOR WEAVER
EDITOR
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Every little boy or girl has some idea of what they want to be when they grow up, but for Jason Almond, the dream of becoming an educator began when he was in the sixth grade. Almond, who is currently in his 27th year of teaching and is the vice principal at Holy Rosary High School (HRHS), was awarded the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation’s (STF) Arbos Award. The Arbos Award is the highest honour a teacher in Saskatchewan can receive and only three are given out per year, each in a category of its own. Almond was awarded the Arbos for Contributions to Education and the Teaching Profession. “When I was in Grade 6 I thought I was going to be an NHL hockey player and never thought of anything else, but at that time myself and another student got a chance to be the intramural leaders for a couple of sports that year,” said
Almond. “I love sports and thought ‘hey maybe I’d like to be a phys-ed teacher.’ “At that time, I didn’t even know what university was. I just knew in my mind I really wanted to be a phys-ed teacher, and all the way through I thought teaching was going to be it.” The Arbos for Contributions to Education and the Teaching Profession honours teachers who have made outstanding contributions to education and the teaching profession that are broad and significant in their scope and impact. The recipient of this award is selected from nominations submitted by local associations, special subject councils, teachers, trustees, directors of education, teacher educators or officials in educational organizations. A selection committee of teachers forwards the name of one of the nominees to the STF executive as the recommended recipient for this award. “The day I was called into Vince’s (Orieux)
office back in October there were a lot of people from the board office in the room including Nigel McCarthy, and I was thinking either I’m getting fired or there’s something good happening,” he said with a laugh. “They had announced to me they would like to submit my name for the award this year, and I was touched and flattered. It feels amazing and I’m honoured.” Born and raised in the Border City, the
father of two adult sons will also celebrate his 27th wedding anniversary with his wife Gina in August, a woman he described as the rock that keeps the family ticking. Almond began his teaching career at HRHS and taught from 1992-2004 before taking a shared vice principal position at St. Mary’s Elementary School, an experience he explained taught him a lot about the role of an administrator. “I really valued the expe-
rience of working with the younger kids after teaching high school,” he said. In 2008 there was an opportunity for Almond to transfer back to HRHS for an administrative role alongside now-principal Vince Orieux. “Vince and I were both VPs and we did about 20 per cent teaching and 80 per cent admin in the beginning and by about 2014 we moved to 100 per cent admin,” he said. Almond described the best part of his day as being when he’s working with the kids as well as all admin, teachers and staff within the Lloydminster Catholic School Division. “Seeing the success of kids after we hound them a little bit about getting all of their work done … when they get it done, that good feeling you can see on their faces makes my day.” Lloydminster Catholic School Division director of education Nigel McCarthy described Almond as a real touchstone for fellow teachers
as he sets an example of how teachers need to care about the future of students while also helping educators early in their careers. “It’s the relationships with those who choose to become teachers that really spread an influence out to thousands of students rather than just being a teacher that impacts a single classroom,” said McCarthy. “He’s the kind of guy that impacts a community and that’s the crux of why he’s being honoured in this way, with what is a really prestigious award.” McCarthy also explained how whether it’s in or out of the classroom, Almond is always there to provide support when needed. “Jason’s door is always open and students seek him out for advice and understanding,” he said. “He has a quiet about him which attracts students to come and talk, but he’s also so active in the school with sport, academics, and even the arts, you see him everywhere.”