Gillis takes on challenges at Samuel Hearne
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Feb 16/01) - A setback led to a change in career plans, but Allan Gillis is not complaining.
Gillis, a teacher at Samuel Hearne high school, originally planned to become a police officer. But when word came that the police academy was closing, he enrolled at St. Francis Xavier University in his native Nova Scotia.
"I got into the job, or into the profession to work with kids, 'cause I think probably you can make a real difference in someone's life. To me, it's an honourable reason to choose a profession."
He said young people are the cornerstone of society's future, and added he's very glad now he became a teacher.
"It's a wonderful avenue in meeting interesting people and learning. A wonderful thing about education and teaching, it's life-long learning.
"You learn from the kids, you also learn from your colleagues."
Gillis teaches Grade 8 and 9 students.
He usually arrives at school around 8:10 a.m., and he often stays to 5 p.m. or later.
"There's a lot of preparation, a lot of marking involved," Gillis said.
He also coaches basketball after school Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This marks the first trip North for Gillis, who arrived in town last August along with his wife and one-year-old son.
He worked for the previous five years at a middle school in Pictou County, N.S., and said coming up here has been a challenge.
"There have been a lot of adjustments all at once. The staff have been wonderful at the school, very professional," Gillis said.
"The people have been top notch."
