Brenda Bornyk
My career began at Wadena Elementary School in 1989. My assignment was Special Education in the morning and grade 5 and 6 Social Studies for two years. I then went on to do a year of grade one, and then a year of grade 2. We were then off to Saskatoon where I subbed for a bit and then we began our family. Taylor arrived in 1994 and Carter was born in 1996.
My "Saskatoon" career journey began at John Dolan School where I worked in most of the classrooms and did release for teachers as well. I was at this incredible school from 2000- 2009. It was a beautiful experience and I gleaned valuable insight and strategies which would continue to help me at my last and final post at Marion M. Graham.
My time at Graham was in the Functional Life Skills program. It has been challenging, amazing and life changing all rolled into one. It has been a wild ride where I enjoyed many amazing students and families, staff and experiences that will remain in my heart forever.
Highlights of my career:
1. I entered a contest put out by CTV to switch jobs and I had the privilege to do the news March 22, 2004. Trish Cheveldayoff came to John Dolan School and did aspects of my job. It was a wonderful experience.
2. I often included my boys and husband in the classroom to help me with things like Graduation, serving snacks and other tasks. It was a rare opportunity to provide them with an experience with special needs students. They often comment on how much the opportunity has shaped them into the young men they are today. My husband on repeat "I don't know how you do the things you do." I am grateful for that.
3. I nominated John Dolan school as one of the Top 20 great schools in a Today's Parent magazine contest and it was recognized for offering highly individulaized and specialized programs, including Snoezelen multi-sensory room and music therapy. September 8th, 2009 Dawn Driedger and myself were invited to the Board meeting to share what this experience was like for the school and the division.
4. Our FLS classroom did a Talent Show to feature student gifts on the stage in the Theatre. A student in the dance program taught our students a routine to present as a group to parents. We also had students do art, their own dance routine and anything else we knew they would shine at. The response of parents was beyond expectations. There were tears and gratitude as they watched the performances with pride.
Retirement will afford me time to write, spend time with family (our son Taylor and wife Anna of Saskatoon), our son Carter (Melville CN Conductor) and my extended family. I look forward to walks, coffee with friends, and adventuring with my husband of 30 years. My husband enjoys wood working and I plan to learn some mad wood skills; here is hoping.
Time flies when you are having fun! I have enjoyed my career immensely. I finish out with a couple of quotes. "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." Frank A Clark
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give" Winston Churchill
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." Ee Cummings