Pontiac High School teacher Phil Holmes was recognized this spring by a provincial organization for his efforts promoting student engagement in and outside of the classroom.
Holmes, who teaches agriculture and drama at the school and is involved in extracurricular rugby and theatre, was nominated by a committee at the school for the annual award given by Forces Avenir, a provincial organization that celebrates the achievements of students and educators across the province.
Holmes was one of a select few names to be put forward for the Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue areas for the award, which is for “outstanding achievement promoting student engagement in projects that contribute to creating conscious, responsible, active and persevering citizens.”
Holmes said he didn’t know about the nomination until he was called into a school assembly, where he was presented a medal and certificate in front of the students and staff.
“It was a real shock [ . . . ] I don’t even know what [the teachers] said about it, but it was a pretty cool award to get,” he said.
Matt Greer, who is one of those teachers, said the group nominated Holmes for the award because, according to Greer, he is a “high-impact leader in the school and community.”
“Phil is someone who is student-centred, cares about the culture and school environment, and believes in forming local partnerships between the school and community [ . . . ] I feel he lives these values as a teacher and leader in our building which is why he was an easy choice,” he said.
Holmes did not make it to the final round of applicants, and so did not progress to the provincial stage of the competition, but according to Greer was one of a select few regional candidates named, which he said is still an important accomplishment for his colleague.
“This was a special year that went beyond the normal level of investment that we have come to expect from Holmes. On top of the amazing annual musical, he started up an agriculture program and took the rugby program to Charleston, [South Carolina],” he said.
Holmes, who co-directed the school production of Grease, re-launched the agriculture program previously taught by his father, and led his senior girls’ rugby program to an RSEQ Outaouais regional championship, said he credits the achievement to his students, who he works with every day and has been through many new experiences.
“The most important part of teaching is the relationships that you build with the students, and I’m able to build strong relationships with these kids through extracurricular stuff,” he said.
Holmes has four kids and a wife at home and also manages a farm, and said this year that dedication to the students’ experience sometimes came at the expense of his mental health.
“It’s a real challenge to give a lot to students when you have a family of your own, and that kind of hit me a bit this year [ . . . ] I dealt with some serious burnout, learning how to balance things,” he said.
For the first time in his 20-year teaching career, he realized what he needed was something he hadn’t had in quite some time: rest. This summer, he is enjoying some extended time away, spending time with his family.
“It really hit me, I was like, ‘Okay, you really need to slow things down,” he said, adding that he is planning on being back in August after some much needed r-and-r.
At the end of the school year, Holmes found out he had also won a teaching award from the Western Quebec School Board alongside fellow PHS teachers Greer, Jordan Kent, and Lindsay Woodman. He said he is excited to be back next year alongside a dedicated staff.
“As much as it’s wonderful to win this award, there’s a lot of other people that could have [ . . . ] We really do have a staff that tries to give our students incredible opportunities to grow and learn.”
