by Maria Spitale

Even as a kid, John Crowley was a bit of a keener when it came to the first day of school.

“I really enjoyed my summers, but I couldn’t wait for school to start,” the West Vancouver educator says excitedly, with about seven shopping days left until Labour Day.

This September, Crowley is the new kid in school.

The math and calculus teacher with 20 years in education has just transferred from Sentinel to the vice-principal’s seat at Rockridge. When asked if this experience is allowing him to empathize with a kindergartener, Crowley plays it cool.

“I was filling in for the vice-principal at Rockridge last fall so I’ve already gotten a chance to know some of the kids,” he says confidently.

Crowley admits he has no specific technique for remembering the names of the close to 1,000 students who attend Rockridge to memory.

“I just try as much as possible to have as many conversations with them as I can,” he explains.

And it’s because of a conversation that Crowley had with one particular student many years ago that today a young woman has a much brighter outlook on life.

It’s a name he won’t forget for a lifetime. He reflects on one of the defining moments of his career days before he is due to receive his 20-year service award.

“The one (story) I relate to is one that involves a student who struggled with huge personal issues,” recalls Crowley. “We supported her and worked hard to get her through. This is a student whose life almost ended.”

More rewarding for Crowley than a lapel pin is helping a student cope with a difficult challenge.

“As teachers, we really get to share in the lives of others,” he says.

Crowley has learned that in order to become a vice-principal it’s important to take on a lot of leadership roles early on in your career.

So he started coaching track and field, and then rugby, and mountain biking, and golf, and basketball – to name just a few.

Off the playing field, he’s a champion for juvenile diabetes research. Crowley is one of the key organizers of Rockridge’s annual 24-hour student fundraiser for juvenile diabetes called Cyclebetes. The initiative, which started at Rockridge and has raised close to $200,000, has now spread internationally to other schools.

“The organizers wanted to do something philanthropic for the community,” says Crowley. “It’s been an opportunity for me to work with some amazing kids.”

The last of five children to go through the West Vancouver school system, Crowley says his siblings set the bar pretty high when it came to academics and athletics.

“There was a huge fence for me to uphold,” he says. “Everyone knew my name, and for good reason.”

Luckily for Crowley, he met some inspirational, one of-a-kind teachers along the way to get him through.

“My Grade 6 teacher, Glen Rose, taught us how to play the guitar,” Crowley recalls fondly. “I think partially it was so he wouldn’t have to listen to the shrill of a recorder.”

Crowley also credits his former teacher, John Stigant, who later became a colleague of his at Sentinel, for his decision to pursue a career in education.

“I enjoyed his classes immensely,” says Crowley. “He is incredibly dedicated to making sure students learn. He’s part of the reason I became a teacher.”

As for Crowley’s own teaching legacy, he hopes to be remembered as someone who created an environment where students aren’t afraid or embarrassed about making mistakes.

So as the kids get in their last sips of sprinkler water before summer comes to unofficial end on Tuesday, Crowley offers up his first lesson of the year.

“Don’t let school get in the way of your education,” he says. “Find a good balance.”