Joseph Boissonneault

Background

About Joseph Boissonneault

I was born and raised here in Calgary. I was a student in the Calgary Catholic School District, then at the University of Calgary where I studied Philosophy, and at St. Mary's University where I studied Education. Now my own children get to embark on their own journeys here in our great city. In studying philosophy I learned to evaluate positions critically, seek out the most challenging questions, and form positions from an approach of intellectual humility and careful consideration. My interests have always been ethics, epistemology, and philosophy's role in human society. I strongly believe that so much of what it means to be human lies in seeking to understand ourselves, our place in community, and how to seek out what is true and right. In studying education, I've come to a great appreciation of pedagogical methods and the role of educators in forming successful, responsible, and inquisitive young people as the newest members of our communities. I think it's vital to integrate critical thinking and the arts throughout our curricula. I care deeply about all the things we teach when we're not actively teaching - things like citizenship, respect, social negotiation, and leadership. Since embarking on my teaching journey, I've been blessed to spend time with a wide variety of dynamic, fascinating young people. It has been this time in the classroom that has led me to discover my deep passion for developing relationships with my students, helping them realize their potential, and celebrating the dignity and respect that is rightfully theirs. I believe that my Catholic faith has a place in my professional life. I am tasked, as a father, husband, and educator, with bringing the sacred into my everyday life through prayer, stewardship, respect, and love. I hope to establish both my home and my classroom as a place of contemplation, trust, and deep learning. In my time as a retail manager, I saw every day that the people who make up an organization need to be at the centre of any meaningful organizational policies. That can be a hard sell in the world of retail, the world of sales quotas, chains of command, and numbers above all. In the world of education I've encountered the most passionate, dedicated, and accomplished community of professionals, all of whom are eager to share their expertise, always for the benefit of their students.