Usually when you ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up they respond with astronaut or firefighter, but for Jasper Elementary School principal Raymond Blanchette-Dub茅, the answer was always the same: teacher.
For the past 30 years Blanchette-Dub茅 has been engrossed in the world of text books and assignments, first as a teacher and then as an administrator, but on June 30th he officially retired and bid farewell to his beloved career.
Excited for what the future holds, he also readily admitted he is not sure what he wants to do yet with life during an interview in his office, June 30.
鈥淚鈥檝e been saying that I鈥檒l need to find a new identity because I鈥檝e always been related to a school in someway,鈥� said Blanchette-Dub茅, who was the school鈥檚 principal for 11 years. 鈥淭he school system has literally been my whole life.鈥�
At the ripe age of 22, the Lac la Biche native got his first gig teaching music at a Fort McMurray high school. After moving around to a couple of different schools, Blanchette-Dub茅 landed a job in Jasper in the early 1990s.
When he first arrived, Blanchette-Dub茅 was sharing music responsibilities between the elementary school and Jasper Junior/Senior High School鈥攁n experience that was, at first, a little overwhelming for the veteran teacher.
鈥淚 cried the first month that I was teaching elementary because I didn鈥檛 know how to do it,鈥� recalled Blanchette-Dub茅. 鈥淚 had only ever taught high school and junior high so it was a real shock to my system.鈥�
However, after getting ahold of his bearings, early childhood education quickly became his passion.
鈥淜ids can be brutally honest and that鈥檚 the great part. If they鈥檙e bored then they鈥檙e going to tell you,鈥� Blanchette-Dub茅 said. 鈥淏ut if you throw excitement into what you鈥檙e doing then the kids will often do the same.鈥�
Over the years he said he applied that same enthusiasm towards the school鈥檚 music program.
鈥淐oming in, there was some work that I knew I wanted to do,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ot to only make it a better program but to make it my program鈥擨 wanted to personalize it鈥�
After many years serving as a teacher and working as an assistant principal, Blanchette-Dub茅 accepted his final role as the school鈥檚 principal in 2005.
鈥淚 found I really enjoyed being on the administrative side of things, but my heart was always in the classroom so even as principal I taught classes the entire time.鈥�
While he balanced both roles he said the years haven鈥檛 been without their challenges.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always something. I walk into the school some mornings and just wonder what鈥檚 going to happen,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 school is a very diverse atmosphere because you have to balance the needs of the staff and the students and the parents.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot more complicated than one might imagine.鈥�
While Blanchette-Dub茅 has an array of career highlights to pick from, he said some of his best memories include travelling to China to discuss Alberta鈥檚 curriculum and taking a group of band students to perform in Japan.
鈥淎ny time the kids had a chance to perform was a highlight for me because they got to shine,鈥� Blanchette-Dub茅 said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about me鈥攊t鈥檚 about them.鈥�
He and his wife Paulette, who also retired from Jasper Junior/Senior High School in June, have decided to stay in Jasper. After enjoying the summer, Blanchette-Dub茅 said he would like to volunteer with seniors, among other things in the community.
As he cleared out the last few things from his office, Blanchette-Dub茅 reflected on what his life will be like at the end of the summer.
鈥淚 think that鈥檚 going to be our biggest challenge,鈥� said Blanchette-Dub茅. 鈥淔or years my wife and I have started school at the end of August so for us to not do that is something we don鈥檛 have our heads around yet.鈥�
In the fall, Jodi Campbell and Shawn Arseneault will take on the roles as principal and vice-principal, respectively.
鈥淐hange is hard sometimes but it鈥檚 necessary鈥攊t rejuvenates. And I know Jodi and Shawn will do a fantastic job,鈥� Blanchette-Dub茅 said. 鈥淚 came to this school hoping to leave my mark on the lives of the staff and the school and I think I have.鈥�
Kayla Byrne
[email protected]
