It was the transition from winter to spring of 2003 that I began my work at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School. I continued to teach at Father Bressani CHS, (to complete my year at Father Bressani, having worked at this particular school for 15 years!) but did visit St. E’s on many occasions, including meetings, and evening presentations. It showed well on me that I was very interested in meeting the arts department members face-to-face, and to attend arts presentations, and of course, meet other teachers. Interesting, that, both schools completed a trip to Montreal that particular spring, and we did meet some colleagues at a sight-seeing site. I recall Anne Carey, whom I worked with at Father Bressani, say that it would be great to have me join the team at St. Elizabeth. I suppose that my networking within the board did actually benefit me when I decided to pursue this opportunity. I remember getting the call from Vice-Principal Anthony Mastroianni (who has passed away - and I actually taught his son at Father Bressani), to inform me that a change was expected in the department headship and the new Regional Arts Programme would need a leader; he called me at home to gauge my interest in completing an interview for the position. That conversation included also his continuation to share a bit of information about the school and that James . . . was leaving to take-on a new position at another school. I remember attending arts subject council meetings in 2001-2003, and James sharing the excitement about the St. Elizabeth’s interest in exploring and offering a new program. I remember James being frustrated with everyone thinking that St. E’s was becoming an “arts school”. But, our understanding was incorrect. St. Elizabeth was dealing with low enrollment numbers and facing the possibility of closing the doors to this big school building, with three floors! There were many stories surrounding the ideas about how St. Elizabeth decided to choose to offer a Regional Arts Program. Of course, there were other options available. I know that the Superintendents, one in particular, was very supportive of the arts, and perhaps this was a dream for him to accomplish. It was a time when all high schools in the board were selecting a “focus” for the school. One school explore technology; Father Bressani explored “a school for global education”; and so St. Elizabeth became the school with an arts focus. In the year 2003, St. Elizabeth completed their first auditions for the program. In September of 2003, I began in this new position(s), with lots of enthusiasm, energy and nervousness too. The School Principal, Mary Cosentino, worked in tenacious fashion to move this new focus forward. The new program would need new curriculum, an upgrade to facility, development of partnerships, and more. I remember having to attend meetings that particular summer, held at the board office and even Mary Cosentino’s residence. We needed to organize so much: 1). What is the vision statement; 2). Goals; 3). Funding; 4). Transportation; 5). Theatre; 6). Gala nights; 7). Prepare for open houses; 8). How to promote the program; 9). Organize committees, such as writing teams, and fund-raising; 10). Prepare for the following year of auditions, contacting supporters, and so much more.
I remember Allan Mackey sharing with me on a few occasions, after the early years of the program, how fortunate St. Elizabeth school was to have me at the school. You see, he (former superintendent and school Principal) felt that James had let everyone down; that leaving the school of St. Elizabeth at a point when they needed him most was disappointing. James was part of the team of teachers, and administration and upper board administration that organized this new focus for the school. It would have been better if James could have remained for a couple of years to get the program up and running - at least help to do so. It was challenging for me to begin this new chapter in my teaching career. I had to learn quickly and make new connections. At the time, my teaching at Bressani was a bit of the same old and quite possibly diminishing for me and the music program. This offer to work at St. Elizabeth did inspire me, challenge me and help to rejuvenate me in so many ways. I am grateful, now looking back.
More to come about this . . . Bye for now
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