TFS - Canada's International School

TFS 35 start pursuing writing and comedy. I probably wouldn't have had the confidence to do that without the years of encouragement, failure and rehearsal I had at TFS," they added. M. Gaudet noted that "Celeste's teachers remember them as an intelligent, thoughtful and outspoken advocate for all students," and that in Yim's final year, they were published in HuffPost, writing on navigating their identity as a Korean- Canadian through experiences with systemic racism. Yim continues to use their voice to spotlight inequality, social injustice and identity, such as in SNL cast member Bowen Yang's powerful Weekend Update segment, which addressed anti-Asian hate in America. They even managed to mix in a little French, with sketches like "Bonjour-Hi." LOOKING BACK Dr. Samantha Nutt, a 2011 Alumni of Distinction Award recipient and founder and president of War Child Canada and War Child USA, recalls a similar experience at TFS: "I was lucky, particularly at the high school level, to have extraordinary teachers who instilled in me not only critical thinking skills, but a robust ability to express myself, discern my ideas, put those ideas out into the world, make sure that they were well formed and that they were evidence-based. They taught me how to write, to think and speak and how to perform. On top of that, they were very aware of how students were doing and coping. They brought a profound humanity to that educational experience that I think is truly exceptional." Dr. Nutt brought all that she learned to a post-secondary journey that was anything but linear. She started studying English and drama in the UK, switched to a bachelor of arts and science program and ultimately received her medical degree from McMaster University. It was during her medical studies when her passion for humanitarian work came to the forefront. After completing a master of science degree from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a fellowship in Community Medicine (FRCPC) with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and her certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada at the University of Toronto, she began practising medicine in conflict zones around the world. Following time in the field, Dr. Nutt determined the best way to effect change was to apply her knowledge and experience to her own humanitarian organization. Soon War Child Canada was born. At the time, most international aid involved either emergency response or worked on a top-down, outside-in model. She took a more sustainable approach. "Conflicts range for many years, many for decades. If you're continuously adopting an emergency, short-term approach, you're never going to fundamentally address the structural deficits and systemic inequalities – such as a lack of rights for women and children, or deficits in education and economic opportunity – that lead to violence and insecurity in the first place," explained Dr. Nutt. "It takes a generation to see the effects of well- managed aid. If you're going to spend money that is going to be effective not just in the short term, but over the long term, that's going to enable communities to really rebuild, for kids to be able to recover, for them to have genuine opportunities in life and self-determination, you have to invest in things like education. You have to invest in economic opportunities for young people that are a viable alternative to roving militias. At the same time, you have to end the climate of impunity, which is where access to justice and supporting rule of law becomes more important." To that end, 99% of War Child's staff are local, including at the most senior level. War Child has been empowering children and families to overcome the brutal impact of war and violence for more than 20 years now, delivering programs that give children access to education, protect their legal and human rights, and give their families the tools they need to escape poverty. They develop programs and design them to be sustainable, locally driven, comprehensive and well received. For her work, Dr. Nutt was named one of Canada's 25 Most Influential Figures by the Globe and Mail. Time magazine named her one of Canada's Five Leading Activists, while the World Economic Forum recognized her as one of 200 young global leaders. In 2010, Dr. Nutt was awarded the Order of Ontario, and in 2011, she was appointed to the Order of Canada. Given her accomplishments, you might think Dr. Nutt was a model student at TFS. It's true she continues to stay in touch with her high school teachers to this day. She even has a dedication in the back of her bestselling book, Damned Nations: Greed, Armies, and Aid, that lists at least three TFS teachers. She is quick to point out, though, that she was not every teacher's dream. She recounts a time when the Vice- Principal informed her class that they achieved the lowest average in the history of TFS. The class cheered. "We learned to be resilient and humble and how to embrace failure. We developed a willingness to laugh at ourselves, and an understanding that this kind of stuff isn't fatal," she said. "Failure can be embarrassing, but self-esteem can be born out of a degree of adversity," she added. "I think I'm a prime example that you don't have to have a master plan. If somebody had said to me while I was at TFS doing plays that I would someday be a war zone doctor and start an international NGO, I would never have believed them. If I could offer advice to TFS students today, I'd say be open to the vast expanse of possibilities. If there's anything that TFS has trained you for, it's how to navigate a complex, interesting, challenging world in a way that respects different cultures and perspectives." Dr. Nutt notes that she may see the worst of humanity, but also the best. "I have laughed with women in every corner of the world where you least expect to find laughter. The one thing about women talking is you could be anywhere in any culture and you have these profound, lovely, unifying experiences. I'm grateful that I had the kind of education that would enable those types of opportunities and prepare me for them. I believe the best thing you can have in life is an extraordinary education. I feel like I got that. Now I'm trying to ensure that the kids who need it most also have those opportunities."

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