Hello NSS Families,
As the 2019-2020
school year comes to a close I just wanted to provide an update on staffing for
the 2020-2021 school year. We are sad several staff members will be moving on
next year.
Mr. Nathan
Kravetsky (Math 20-2, Blast and Athlete Development) – Mr. Kravetsky joined NSS
February of 2020. During his short time in
class, he made strong connections with students and was adapting to the
unique learning environment of NSS. As we moved to pandemic learning Mr.
Kravetsky worked hard to ensure all of his students had the opportunity to be
successful. We wish Mr. Kravetsky all the best in future teaching
assignments.
Ms. Kirandeep
Sharda (Humanities 9 &10, Social 20) – Ms. Sharda has been with NSS since
February of 2020 (in for Ms. Lara Moos) and has done an amazing job
with the students; not only in class but during the transition to on-line
learning. Her knowledge of the subject areas, use of technology and rapport
with the students allowed her to be a great fit in the NSS
community. Ms. Sharda is an excellent teacher and will have many
teaching opportunities in the future.
Mr. Gordon Phillips
(Math 10C, Math 20-1, Science 9, Physics 20, Physics 30) – Mr. Phillips joined
NSS in September 2019 as a part-time teacher but quickly his
position developed into full time as enrollment increased. Mr.
Phillips easy going nature and personality quickly won over the students at NSS
and many would have thought he had been on staff for years. As a first
year teacher, he adjusted easily not only to the unique learning
environment of NSS but to the multiple courses to prepare. Mr. Phillips
has become a master teacher in a very short time and with his area of
expertise I am confident he will be working in
another high school next year.
Ms. Emma Pak
(Science 10, Sports Medicine, Athlete Development) – Ms. Pak started the year
at NSS in August of 2019; she was excited for her first
high school teaching experience. Ms. Pak stepped into her teaching assignments full
of energy and enthusiasm. Her kind, caring personality is respected by
students and her attention to detail was valued by many. Ms. Pak is
currently expecting her third child and will be looking forward to a year at
home with her new baby. When she returns to teaching, I am sure she
will provide many great learning experiences for students for years to come.
Ms Lara Moos
(Humanities 9 &10 and resource) – Ms. Moos has been a member of the NSS
staff for the past 3 years in full and part-time roles. Her commitment
and passion to student achievement is seen everyday in the way in which she
works with students. Ms. Moos understands the needs of students and
finds way for all of the to be successful. She has been a very valuable
member of staff working with students with complex learning needs and getting
them on track in all of their classes. With all of her experience and
kind manner with students Ms. Moos will be sure to have a great future in
teaching.
Ms. Erinn Anderson
(Ogston) (Art, French, Design Studies and Media Arts) – Ms. Anderson
has been teaching at the National Sport School for the past 5 years. Her
incredible range of skills and abilities allowed NSS to offer many options all
in one block. Ms. Anderson’s room was always filled with students in
multiple grades, multiple classes, and working on different
projects. Her ability to juggle all of these classes and levels is
something that will be tremendously missed. Very often students who were
not even in Ms. Anderson’s class would ask to work in her room because of the
positive class atmosphere. I know the staff and students of NSS will miss
Ms. Anderson’s cheerful demeanor and tremendous skill set. We know she
will become a very valuable member of another school very soon.
Ms Bell McGregor
(Humanities 10, English 20, Social 20 & 30) – Ms. McGregor began teaching
at NSS 8 years ago. Her ability to connect with students and bring out
the best in them is something that all NSS students have really valued.
Ms. McGregor is deeply invested in her teaching; always looking for new
methods and ways to engage students in learning. She has always taught
students to express what they believe in and isn’t afraid to talk about
difficult subject matter. The positive energy Ms. McGregor brought
to our community will leave a void; not only in the
classroom but in the staffroom. She will be missed in so many ways
for the time and energy she has invested in her time at the National Sport
School. The school where Ms. McGregor lands will be very fortunate to
have her.
Ms. Topp will be
returning to the classroom at NSS next year after her role as assistant
principal this year. She is an excellent leader and contributed many hours to
the role this year. I can’t thank her enough for all of the time and
energy it took in the AP role this year. NSS will not have an assistant
principal next year as the size of the staff does not allow for that
role.
Finally, I will be
returning to the role of Acting Principal next year and returning to
the classroom to teach a few Athlete Development classes.
It has been a year
like no other at the National Sport School. The support of the students,
parents, alumni, partners and staff pulled us through to next year and beyond.
I commend the students for staying focused and dedicated to their studies
during such a turbulent year. Their ability to be excellent
shows their character and I know this will lead to great success down the
road.
I wish everyone a
safe and healthy summer. I hope we see the world return to a new
normal that includes a return to school and sport; this would allow
everyone to do what we all do best. To our Grade 12’s moving
on, I wish you nothing but success and happiness; I am so sorry the
year had to end like this without a proper good-bye. To our returning
students, we are really hoping for a return to school
September 1st.
Best Wishes,
Mr. Rob Jewan,
Principal (Acting)