Did you love your childhood? Some of my friends were not a fan. I was very fortunate to grow up in a loving home with 2 parents who both worked but made time for me and my 2 brothers. My mom had 3 children under the age of 3! We are all 1 year apart. Don’t get me wrong, it was loud in my house and it was chaotic! We were known as the Taylor gang!
Going to school everyone knew us. Not because we looked like triplets (we kinda did). It was because all my family were teachers in the Catholic School Board. My cousins, my uncles, my aunts were all teachers! I loved going to school. As much as I geeked out in class, I also loved the social aspect. There were so many different clubs in grade school and high school to join. Many of the teachers would start clubs based on our interests and would introduce us to new students that maybe we wouldn’t have thought of meeting.
My friends from my high school years are still some of my best friends (and not just Facebook friends ha ha). We may not see each other often, but we know that we can pick up the phone anytime when needed and we’ll all be there.
My Catholic school experience was positive. My Catholic teachers did make a big difference in the career path I chose as well. Back in the day, there were not too many media programs for kids. It was new AND, dare I say, girls were not really interested in the tech courses. Hey, we know today that we are trying to get more women in STEM. It just wasn’t something many people back in the day were into. When I was in grade 10, my science teacher suggested I look into a new media course coming out for grade 11. I signed up and the following year I was the only girl in class! I was treated no differently then the boys. We did all the same things. Rebuilt Cameras, wired studios, hosted radio/tv shows. It was then I caught the radio bug and there was no turning back.
When it was time for me to choose where to attend school for university, it was a tough decision. I was very confused. I was great in Science and Kinesiology but I really loved media. Yes, guidance counsellors in school are a big help, but it was my teachers who stepped in and put me on the right path to where I am today. My media and science teachers sat me down and gave me some great advice. They suggested that I take Kinesiology at McMaster and channel some of my passion for radio and TV into volunteering at a local TV station. I was used to volunteering for many charities, but I didn’t know you could volunteer or intern for an organization that could one day be your job. I had only done 2 years of media in high school. However, science was my thing. Turned out it was great advice and it was the path I needed to be put on. (I’ll share the story of how I got into radio in my 2nd year of university for another blog!)
I want to thank my high school teachers who went above and beyond to mold the person who I am today. My education and the teachers who taught have made me a better person and I’m blessed to have had the experience in my life. My wish is that my children have the same positive experience that I did and so far, they do and it’s because of their teachers.
PS the pic above was sent to me by my good friend who I managed during my tenure as the head manager of Men’s Rugby at McMaster. Can you pick me out ha ha!
Do you have a great story from a teacher back in your high school or elementary school days? I would love hear it.
I also went to a Catholic school and now i’m a teacher because of my wonderful experience in school. I had no idea you took Kinesiology though Taylor. Good for you! Can’t wait to find out how you got into radio.