TFS - Canada's International School

Working as a mechanical engineer for more than three years left Toronto resident Nicholas Reaburn craving a change. He had earned a bachelor's in mechanical engineering at Ryerson University, but his company wasn't quite the fit he had hoped for. While visiting his family in Europe, he was offered a job as a math teacher in Germany (not far from Basel, Switzerland). He knew he liked being around young people, having worked with them through church and camp, so he was willing to see how it went. He enjoyed the experience and returned to Canada to work on his master's degree in teaching and learning at McGill University, then looked for a new way to apply his Nicholas Reaburn: The Candid Communicator Mathematics Teacher, Senior School They trust me enough to be candid with their opinions. It helps me to be a better teacher through the open communication and respect shown during mentoring sessions. training. He replied to a TFS job posting and did an interview via Skype and in person. In September 2016, he was hired to teach science to students in Levels I and II. Mr. Reaburn looks forward to seeing a group of eight pupils outside of math class at their weekly mentoring sessions. "It's a unique setting where students don't have to worry about having the right answers," he says. "It's more about sharing a part of themselves and revealing how they view the world and how they fit into it. They learn that it's okay not to agree on issues and to embrace our differences." Challenged sometimes to find topics that capture the interest of his mentorship students in a meaningful way, Mr. Reaburn digs deep to find subjects that click. He'll tackle tough topics, like genocide, as well as less serious ones such as questioning whether a particular piece of art is really worth millions of dollars. He takes the themes that the school provides, and makes them come to life through real-world examples or videos. It may take a little time for some students to become engaged, but with a few open-ended questions around an interesting issue, lively conversations are often ignited. Mr. Reaburn makes it clear that he cares about what they feel and believe. "Teenagers surprise me with their high level of discernment," he says. "They really understand the complexity of relationships between adults and youth. Our exchanges are very respectful and insightful. Though the primary goal is for them to learn about being a good citizen and to have critical thinking skills, I am also learning from them. In this setting, they also see me as a peer, not just as their teacher." He sees an interesting evolution happen in his group over the course of the school year. The conversations become easier as the students feel more comfortable about being honest and there's an increased willingness to get to know one another through sharing. "It is so rewarding for me to be able to get to know these young people," explains Mr. Reaburn. "They trust me enough to be candid with their opinions. It helps me to be a better teacher through the open communication and respect shown during mentoring sessions." 30 TFS ENTRE NOUS 2018

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