Meet the Team: Rebecca Nielson, Coordinator: Student Life & Leadership; Head of Individuals & Societies, Teacher-Librarian

May 26, 2022

Academics

GNS

What made you want to be part of the GNS community?

Could I change the question to be what I love about the GNS community?

I love the people! Everyone is supportive, caring and friendly! There are always people willing to work together to make events and learning happen!

How did you choose teaching as the right path for you?

I knew that I loved working with people. When I was in high school, I remember taking some personality and career quizzes, and they often revealed that teaching might be something I would enjoy. It turns out that was true!

What are some of your interests outside of school?

Skiing! I feel so fortunate to live in a place with beautiful mountains only a few hours away! This probably comes as no surprise, but I also LOVE reading! I am doing a book challenge this year, and trying to read a book a week in 2022.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I lived and taught in Egypt.

What do you like about living and working in Victoria?

The cherry blossoms! I love when the rest of Canada is still facing winter, and here in Victoria we are sweeping cherry blossoms out of our way on the sidewalks! I also love that the city is just the right size—small, but big enough place to have some great restaurants!

What is the best part of your day and why?

First thing in the morning when it is quiet and I can sip some hot coffee!

(Ms. Nielson has asked that it be included that although she loves all her students and looks forward to working with the students, but she does enjoy a bit of peace and quiet just before the school wakes up bursting with student energy.)

What do you like about being a teacher-librarian and the coordinator of student life & leadership?

I feel so lucky because I get to work with students and teachers in all sorts of ways: from supporting research, lesson planning, creating exciting opportunities for learning and helping with internal assessments, and extended essays. I love planning fun activities for the students such as activity days, sports days, Grad Survivor, dances, and Trick-or-treating. It is really fun working with the prefect and all the student leaders in the school!

What is your favourite book? Something you’d recommend?

One of my favourite books is the Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. I recently read Joanna Goodman’s Home for Unwanted Girls and Matt Haig’s Midnight Library and I absolutely loved them and would recommend them both! I am a historical fiction fan, so I tend to read a lot of it!

What inspired you to head Gryphon Government?

I wanted to further develop leadership opportunities for Senior School students, and developing a student government with grade reps, house captains and other members seemed like a great way to build a team of students who would together to build community and plan events in the Senior School.

Thank you Ms. Nielson for all her hard work behind the scenes and helping the senior school create memories that GNS grads and students will cherish and take with them on their next journey.