A8-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, June 6, 2006 I %aXS2S~1 COmMMUNIT Teacher of theo Month Reing music teacher Ioved and respected Aijano nominated bpeers and pupils IBy Stephanie Thiessen CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF hen The Champion received word from 36 teachers and VV students that a music teacher at Bisbop Reding deserved to be Junes Teacher of the Montb, we took notice. Altbougb the Teacher of the Montb fea- ture bas been very successful, wiih nomina- tion forms coming in almost weekly, The Chmpion bas neyer yet received a nomina- tion package thats been anywbere near as impressive as tbe one urging us to choose Nick Alfano. One quick giance tbrougb the reams of' glowing recommendations told the selection paniel ail it needed t0 know - Alfano os a qteacher wbo's loved and respec ted hy stu- dents and feIlow' teachers alike. Needless t0 say, i wasnoi doffoculo XXX choose Alfano as The Champions leacîser of' the Month for june. "Mr. Alfano defones music. He represenîs commioment, passion and brightens our lives," wrote grade 12 music student Lauren j Prisniak. "He loves as he teaches and is a rote moie to aIl students, musical and non- musical alike." Prisniak's comments were representative of tbe other studens' who praised the way Alfano encourages and respects bis pupols, urging tbem to be tbe hest tbey can. "You can if you believe you can!"' os a commonly uscd pbrase for Alfano, and one it seems bis students have taken to heart, if the nominations are any indication. "He bas inspired and positively impacted hundreds of students, many of whom con- tinue to visit years upon graduating," the cover letter reads. "Mr. Alfano is so respect- ed that hie is affectionately and simply known by ail bis students as 'sir'." Grade 10 student Rachel Miller said Alfano is someone students can turn to wben they need a listening ear. "He is such a strong person - someone that tns can look up to and talk to," she tudtenî Friday afternoon, Alfano took time from his busy end-of-tbe-year sebedule to chat with The Champion and give readers a glimpse into wbat it is that inspires him to bring out bis students' potential year after year. Alfano bas been teaching for a total of 26 BELOVED TEACHER: Bishop Reding Secondary School teacher Nick Alfano stands in the school' piazza with his grade 12 music class, one of the classes that nominated him as The Champions Teacher of Month. years. For the past 14, bes been the teacher bebind the doors of the music room- doors bis students say are always open. "Tbis room is always humming," Alfano said, explaining the music room is like a sec- ond home to many of bis band and music students. "Wts a safe place where they can bang out." But, be quickly added, students know that in return they must suive toward the bigh standards he sets, whether playing in bis music class or the concert band he directs. Reaching out to the community through music is sometbing Alfano said be stresses witb bis students. They regularly perform at venues sucb as Allendale, where residents might not otberwise receive the gift of music. "It's a growing experience - tbey learn buw to become compassionate individuals," he aid of bis students. Yearly music tirips to various destinations are a highligbt for teacher and students alike, Alfano said, and normally include activities that run tIhe gauntlet fromt jazz clubs to symphonies to masses. "l try to expose themr En as mucb stuif as possible and then they play tbemselves," be said, adding, "Playing in a foreigun environ- ment out of town is very important." Alhough it's always exciting wben bis students decide to pursue music after leav- ing high scbool, Alfano said thats not whats mosit important to hlm. What i important is that bis students take from bis class tessons about becoming compassionate, responsible young aduits. From music, students Iearn skills that go far beyond how to stay in tune and get the correct rhythm, hie said. The values of team- work and discipline are just two of the fle skills imparted, he said. "lE (music) helps you develop as a per- son. The rewards are many-fold," hie said. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached ait sthiessen@amiltoncanadianchoampioncom ~COGECQ CoCabe hannelI14 fluly LOCa usi o ra v 1:6M IoaotNE LWy 1 op Rafton RliCoonol 8 itam T Om Ttn Pluoggn InI EXTRA 4 O M TA TOTO I'îEXTA 12 www.cogeco.ca l:3ipm opnmîIsioe ATV pTp XuOoIoEXR 1:1i (Loi., ffom OaTamk NORTH IIALTON STUDIO Laurier Plaza 500 Laurier Avenue Miltofn, ON L9T 41R3 905-878-9306 7:30pm ATO0po XTOp0M Pluggend oEXTRA Ratlon RAIs Coancil :p MRay 29,00 .1 Opn inon coi1 Otm rrulranMmmng cneuie - Tuesday% June 6 - Monday, June 12,2006 Thrsay Jne8 riay Jne9 atr ay Jn 10S d, Jue1 oda ..1 PaIUW In! EXTRA 1110pir Halon tapion 8O0ann4TOnn PligedIn! EXTRA 1 itiOp. iwpT(EXu 4140 TV Capo SWot usRa 1.44 i30l,.4m Hahna nuit C"us May 3,U MRTOtm -MidnoR TV Cqm ipt: tti 8w m 0i Plugg In! EXTRA R 1Opo Rahon is Councl PIOR lotEXIIIIA May 31 2006 Raton MOIS Counol 100pi 1 SPluggou InEXR May 312006 8nm s i Lv t Pluggd in! EXTRA A OXPM 11565gh Plugged In! EXTRA 7,e'nY rv- 111~' '117' .- ?.,J