The Innisfail Jr./Sr. High School Adelaide-on-Brighton teacher exchange is now complete with the arrival of Ian Jenkinson and his family.
Jenkinson has been teaching at Innisfail Jr./Sr. high since the beginning of January and initially stepped into Rob Burton's shadow.
ìRob had set up his art and drama classes to be self directed before he left,î said Jenkinson. ìComing into a new school it made the transition so much easier for me. My specialties are not art or drama in the first place, and the kids have made this a smooth transition for me.î
The Aussie teacher is preparing for next semester when he will be teaching social studies, science, and outdoor education.
ìWith exam week upon us, I have time to plan my teaching schedule,î added Jenkinson. ìThis is also giving me time to appreciate the differences between Australian and Canadian education systems.î
He noted that while preparing for social studies teaching, the content on nationalism was solid, providing detailed content and textbooks while the Aussie approach was less structured and more self guided.
As a transplanted Aussie, Jenkinson brought an important Australian tradition with him, Australia Day, which is celebrated on Jan. 26. On Jan. 23, the teacher held a lunchtime Australia Day festival and shared some of his home country practices with students, including the ëtin can slam'.
ìFrom a cultural viewpoint, Australia Day is comparable to Canada Day, or Independence Day in the United States,î said Jenkinson. ìWhere Canadians celebrate enthusiastically, Australians have a devil-may-care attitude about our independence day. That's one reason why the focus on nationalism in social is interesting to me.î
Jenkinson has begun planning his outdoor education curriculum as well.
ìAs a visitor to Alberta, what Canadians take for granted is new to me,î said Jenkinson. ìThe range of opportunities is amazing. I have planned a Lake Louise ski trip and a Kananaskis avalanche field trip to date, something that is new to me and to the students I'm sure. Perhaps my students will find themselves playing cricket when it's warmer outside.î
He has been pleased with every aspect of Innisfail Jr./Sr. high so far.
ìIn my old school, at Adelaide-on-Brighton, we were seen as friendly, yet the students here are all more friendly and enthusiastic,î said Jenkinson. ìThey see a job or assignment to do, and do it.î
He noted that his fellow teachers have been supportive and gone out of their way to make him feel welcome and provide materials for him while he is here.
ìI have been extremely lucky that way,î added Jenkinson. ìThere is something about the school as well that I appreciate that has been hard to put a finger on.î
Jenkinson noted that even his children who thought they might have a tough time making friends have commented that Innisfail is more welcoming than Adelaide-on-Brighton. The family will soon be hitting Alberta ski slopes for the first time at Canyon Ski Resort in Red Deer.
ìThis has been a perfect fit for us, from the first time we applied for the international double exchange right to our arrival,î said the teacher. ìMy wife Jill and I found two exchanges quickly. One was in Colorado, and the organization withdrew that one and gave us Innisfail in short order. She teaches Grade 2 in Sylvan Lake at C.P. Blakely Elementary School and stepped right in without missing a beat.î
For the present, Jenkinson is concerning himself with his first full semester at a Canadian school.
ìWe entered this program to experience international teaching, and look forward to making this as rich and fulfilling as possible. I already love the area and when we leave in December it will be difficult I am sure,î said Jenkinson. ìWe have a full year ahead of us, and my family and I are excited.î
