Meet Chris Schneider, Director of Senior School

Q. Why did you choose Pickering College?

About 10 years ago, I attended my first CAIS Leadership Institute and Peter Sturrup led one of the modules I completed. It was a great experience and I knew that it would be great to work with him. I had kept my eye on Pickering ever since and over the last few years, I became even more interested in the school for its Global Leadership Program; it is exactly the type of education we need to be providing to kids. Needless to say, I was excited to see that PC was looking for a new Senior School Director.

Q. What’s your educational background?

I completed a BA and an MA in Political Science from the University of Calgary. I then moved to Mexico for a year with my family and taught English in a private university—ITESM. That solidified things for me, and I knew that I wanted to become a teacher, so I completed my BEd when I returned to Canada.

Q. What is your favourite subject to teach and why?

I tell people that I am a recovering economics teacher. I taught courses in economics for more than 10 years and I loved it. The subject matter is always relevant and it was easy to link course material to what was happening in the world. I started teaching in the discipline in the years leading up to the global financial crisis, which really challenged the prevailing conventional economic wisdom of the day in a significant way. The students were so engaged by it and we were able to do such interesting and relevant things in the classroom together. I think every student should take courses in economics.

Q. What interests do you pursue outside of the classroom?

From a young age, I’ve been involved in board sports—skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding— and I still like to hop on a board whenever I can. I took up skiing as well when my children were younger. Heading to the mountains was something we enjoyed doing together as a family. Now that I am no longer close to the Rocky Mountains, I have to re-adjust things. I think I’m going to get serious about fishing and get reconnected to mountain biking. I’m living in Uxbridge now—the Trail Capital of Canada—and Lake Scugog is just down the road!

Q. What is the greatest success you have had in teaching?

I developed a highly successful Model United Nations Program at my previous school. For so many of the students who participated, it opened their eyes to seeing the world, and their place within it, in a very different way; that was where the success lay. Regardless of the area of study they intended to pursue after graduation, they genuinely developed a sense of responsibility to make the world a better place and saw the necessity of collaboration in that endeavour. It also opened their eyes to other ‘non-traditional’ opportunities for post-secondary study and I remember how happy I was to hear that one of my former ‘Munnies’ was heading to Columbia University to study international human rights law. How cool is that?

Q. What is something most people don’t know about you?

My first part-time job when I was 16 years old was driving the Zamboni at the Glencoe Club in Calgary!

Q. What are you currently reading for enjoyment?

I just reread De Niro’s Game by Rawi Hage. I really enjoy reading historical fiction. Now, on my wife’s recommendation, I’m reading A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.

Q. What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job has always been working with kids—never a dull moment and I look forward to going to work every day.