Growing in Connection
A perennially popular course at TDCH is grade ten E-Block, where students learn about Civics, Careers, and creation care all afternoon long. Students love the hands-on learning, spending so much time outdoors, and the community that builds inside the class. While a lot of the credit goes to its teacher, Ben Freeman, he’s quick to reveal his secret weapon.
“Hands down, this course could not work without my grade twelve teacher assistants,” says Ben. “They are the bridge between me and the grade tens. They keep it real.”
Last semester, student Annaka Bauman was a T.A. for the 38th running of E-block.
“I wanted to do it because when I took the class in grade ten, my T.A.s were so much fun and made me love E-block,” recalls Annaka. “They welcomed me and they had a huge impact on my life.”
Annaka loves the connections that grew with her grade ten students, and the surprising yet authentic questions that randomly pop up while everyone’s hands are deep in mud or sorting the school’s recycling bins.
“Any class with hands on learning helps you engage more. You learn by doing, and that sticks with you longer,” says Annaka.
“I’ve been truly blessed by having so many amazing T.A.s,” adds Ben. “What I really appreciated about Annaka was how she was able to connect to such a diverse group of students. She led from the side, prompting her students to step up and to take initiative with their own projects.”
Growing in Character
If you saw either David Strom or Keenan Johnson in grade nine, you couldn’t imagine how much each had transformed by grade twelve! Both gifted athletes, David and Keenan have been on TDChristian’s basketball teams for years. This year, their senior team won the York Region Championships and even played in the way the Ontario OFSAA Basketball Championships in Timmins.
“They both played well, but it was their team leadership that was really off the charts,” says their coach, Colin Hoving. “The way they motivated the other players, their constant positivity, and how they encouraged players to come back from hardships was great to see.”
David, who was also in this year’s school play and is a teacher assistant in the grade 9 PULSE class, credits his teachers and coaches at TDCH for, “giving him the freedom to work outside my comfort zone, whether it’s on a court, on stage, or in the classroom.”
Keenan found that being on TDCH’s basketball team had an impact on his faith life. “Coach always said to play like God’s watching—to play with integrity. We also pray before every game. I found that helped me to get into the habit of praying much more often throughout the day.”
Growing in Leadership
He’s led devotions at assembly. He took a big role in this year’s play. He’s part of the organizing team for TDCH’s Alpha program. He’s the Entertainment Captain at our upcoming Relay for Life. And he’s on his way to the Canadian Improv Games Nationals as part of the school’s Senior Improv Team. And yet, Grade 12 student Holden Bohay never saw himself as someone who could lead.
“I was absent a lot in grade 9. But when I took Grade 9 Improv, I just felt so comfortable there. That made me realize what I maybe could do in all facets of my life,” says Holden.
Holden gives a lot of credit to the dedicated teachers at TDCH, especially his drama teacher, Mr. Peters.
“When you get a teacher who truly cares about you, they’ll just naturally give you more opportunities. Mr. Peters asked me to be a teacher’s assistant, and I’ve done that three times now, and that’s really allowed me to grow.”
Holden loves how in his role as a teacher’s assistant, he’s acting as a mentor to the grade nines in the class.
“There are some students who are naturally gifted, and they’ll usually do well in the course. But I like the times where I’ve been able to work with a student who comes in shy or unsure, and you can help them grow in both confidence and ability.”
Growing in Confidence
When Makayla Chang arrived in grade 9, she didn’t know anyone. “I had just come out of being online-only during Covid,” she remembers. “I was shy and anxious, and even told my mom I was resolved to being a hermit.”
That quickly changed. Makayla credits TDChristian’s strong sense of community, friendly environment, and her supportive teachers for getting her out of her comfort zone. She quickly found herself trying new things and making new friends.
“I did things I never thought I would do or could do. I took Improv classes. Sang in the choir, performed at talent night. This year, I went on the Algonquin trip, even though I’d never been camping before. Everything was so much fun. And now I have at least 12 good friends to talk to every day.”