Since 2016, Hal High teacher Christine Carr has been helping students reach their potential by developing important life skills, on top of academics, through the school’s popular leadership class.
Running each semester, students are encouraged to identify issues, projects or causes they’re passionate about – and challenged to come up with plans to initiate change or growth – either at school, or in the Haliburton County community.
Carr was recognized for her work during a recent Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) meeting in Minden Oct. 22, where she received a director’s recognition for innovation and leadership award from Wes Hahn. Carr was nominated by HHSS principal Jenn Mills.
“Christine goes above and beyond in everything she does for our students… she provides experiences and opportunities for students to connect in school life, to become leaders for themselves and others,” Mills wrote in her submission. “Christine has taken the curricular expectations to another level, focused on continuous school improvement and inspiring students to be better.”
Speaking to The Highlander this week, Carr said she was honoured to receive the award, saying she’s carrying on the work started by Paul Longo, who launched the leadership class and ran it for several years before passing it off in 2023.
Also teaching French and English at HHSS, one of Carr’s first influences was to make the leadership class bilingual. That’s been a big hit, she said.
The class typically attracts around 20 students each semester – Carr said there are 16 enrolled now, but there were more than 30 participants last spring.
No matter the class size, her approach is always the same.
“We start the course by brainstorming everything the students are interested in and passionate about in the community, within the school, and what they’d like to see change. Then we make committees based on that,” Carr said. “Then they get to work tackling their project. Committees learn to set action plans, goals, and how to follow through.
“We focus a lot on finding out what everyone’s individual skills are, then building on that to help them take on leadership roles, increasing confidence, and inspiring them to do the work in whatever their chosen area is,” she added.
Last year, one group floated the idea of cleaning up the school courtyard, which was overgrown with weeds and had been unused for years and turn it into an outdoor classroom. Students worked with businesses in the community to bring their vision to life, with the new space opening last June.
Another committee wanted to raise money to help students cover costs associated with playing school sports. They brought in $1,000, which was used to cover uniforms, registration fees, and transportation costs.
“It teaches them skills they can use for the rest of their lives – they can be applied to wherever they go after high school. The course is about equipping youth with what they need to be successful and have the confidence to know they can make a difference. They just have to put themselves out there and try,” Carr said.
One of the focuses this semester is on boosting school spirit – the class recently hosted a themed ‘Halloween Week’ at the school and organized a dance. Students are also assisting with upcoming school awards and Remembrance Day assemblies.
In early October, Hahn and 25 students attended a retreat at Camp White Pine in Haliburton. The Canadian Student Leadership conference brought 500 students and 100 staff from across the country to the Highlands for a weekend of learning and networking.
“Christine’s involvement in the conference demonstrates her innovation and leadership… to empower students to make a difference in their school and community,” Hahn said.
