Increasing your odds through education
Growing up in Ontario and British Columbia I learned the importance of having winter tires while travelling in the snow. At times, my father put studded tires on our vehicles to provide an added measure of stability and control during those winter months. Many people will travel this holiday season to spend time with family and friends; some will have winter tires while others may not. I hope that all arrive safely.
December marks the fifth anniversary of my father’s death. This season has become even more important to me as I reflect on the lessons he taught me. My father quit school after Grade 8 and went to work in the bush. He worked hard and put in long days. He learned from others as well as from trial and error. He ended up working many jobs over the years and was always able to provide for his family although at times things were tough. Over time, my father developed skills and knowledge in carpentry, electrical, welding, plumbing and mechanical work. Through experience and out of necessity, he found that he had an aptitude for repairing things. He eventually worked as a mechanic and increased his qualifications by returning to the classroom to become a heavy-duty mechanic. This additional education opened the door for his career as a foreman of a crew at a coal mine.
I didn’t share my father’s talent for ✦able fixing things, but I was
to see him excel in his work environment when I drove truck there as a summer student. My father supported my desire to complete high school, attend post-secondary and earn a degree. While working as a teacher I attended additional post-secondary classes evenings, weekends and during summer vacations to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership and a certificate in human resource management.
My father and I travelled two very different roads on our educational journeys. After witnessing my route and reflecting back on his own, my father would say my path was a better choice. He might even say that I used winter tires while he did not. Formal schooling does not guarantee reaching our destination; however, like having a good set of winter tires, it greatly increases the odds of arriving safely, while ensuring greater stability and control along the way. Anything we can do to avoid the inevitable whiteknuckle experiences of life is valuable.
The Global Partnership for Education (2018) summarizes some of the significant benefits of formal education: “Education reduces poverty, boosts economic growth and increases income. It increases a person’s chances of having a healthy life, reduces maternal deaths, and combats diseases such as HIV and AIDS. Education can promote gender equality, reduce child marriage, and promote peace. In sum, education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future.”
As you head out on the roads this holiday season to spend time with family and friends, prepare in advance. Know your route and, if you can, try to take advantage of using good winter tires to help you get safely to your destination.
Darryl Seguin is Superintendent of Livingstone Range School Division