Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1540856
EDUCATION FOR FACULTY BEYOND CLASSROOM TEACHERS Non-teaching faculty are equally supported through continuing education in order to contribute to the betterment of the school community. One example is Andrea Hurst, TFS' Health Team Coordinator. With a background in both acute and primary care nursing, she became the school's first full- time nurse. Hired during the pandemic to fill a need related to COVID, she has shaped the role significantly over the past five years, developing a collaborative model for school healthcare. Now leading a growing team of nurses and playing a key role in policy development and training, Hurst brings a valuable healthcare lens to the school setting. "I've expanded upon my qualifications and am now certified to be a trainer for CPR and First Aid," she explains. "While teachers were encouraged in the past to get their First Aid outside of the school, I can now lead staff training internally." When it comes to managing and maintaining all things technology at TFS, Johnathan Fisico is kept very busy. An in-house expert who came to the school 17 years ago, Fisico does everything from fixing iPads and laptops to recently launching a LEGO Robotics Club. As technology use has exploded over the years, Fisico's role has evolved. "I went from managing just two computer labs to overseeing 2,000 devices," he says. Always upskilling, Fisico attends regular certification sessions and participates in workshops at the Apple headquarters at least twice a year. Supported by TFS' strong commitment to professional development, Fisico is able to explore and grow in ways that benefit his own learning as well as the community at large. With a staff of more than 350, TFS is committed to fostering a vibrant and supportive workplace that challenges everyone to continuously learn and grow. Our students benefit when our teachers are stimulated and inspired because they reflect that in their teaching. "A growth mindset isn't just for kids," says Urfels. "Teaching can become a cyclical profession that gets very repetitive unless you pay close attention to it. With a plan for growth, we are always looking forward, embracing change and exploring new opportunities. We invest in our teachers and in turn they invest in our students." Andrea Hurst, TFS Health Team Coordinator 25 TFS