TORONTO STAR TEACHER AWARD - HONOURABLE MENTION
Students `always excited to see him'
October 1, 2009
Emily Mathieu
STAFF REPORTER
Kirk Moss has ambitious goals for his students, in the classroom and far, far beyond.
"My ultimate goal, is to have students become participants in our democracy, to value what it is to be Canadian, in terms of our values, our ethics and our high standards for ourselves when it comes to caring for those who are less fortunate and building a more egalitarian society for everyone," says Moss, barely taking a breath.
There's more.
"I want my kids to be a part of the construction of that new Canada ... where everyone feels they are a part of our society and everyone feels they have a role and the responsibility to uphold who we are as a nation."
They are lofty goals, but he has a fair bit of time to accomplish them.
The 31-year-old has just started a new position as a social sciences teacher at Jarvis Collegiate, on Jarvis St. near Wellesley St. E.
He came from York Memorial C.I. and is filling in for someone on maternity leave, but hopes his stint at Jarvis will lead to something more permanent.
During his lectures, Moss makes an effort to discuss the influence of great Canadians, such as David Suzuki, Gov-Gen. Michaelle Jean and John Ralston Saul.
"Those are the three people I bring into the classroom; how does their perspective shape the Canada we live in now."
Moss's teaching style and dedication earned him honourable mention in the first-annual Toronto Star Teacher Award.
He was nominated by Cassandra Coward, a health promotion officer with Toronto Community Housing. She met Moss about two years ago at a meeting of the Canadian Alliance of Black Educators in Regent Park. She said Moss understands "not all students learn in the same manner and measure, so he makes it attainable," by tailoring lesson plans to students. "He puts great consideration when he is putting together assignments," writes Coward in her nomination letter.
It appears to be working.
"I have been with him in different locations and students are constantly recognizing him and saying `Hi.' I have never experienced students having a poor reaction; they are always excited to see him."
Before Moss got into teaching, a love of sports broadcasting led him to earn a journalism degree at Ryerson University. Journalism taught him "to stay attuned to the small things that happen in our surroundings and how that can allow us to create gateways and pathways into bigger stories," he says, adding those skills are invaluable in his teaching career.
"It allows me to get a better framework as how to engage (students) and how to know what to do to motivate them and how to know what makes them bored."
Outside the classroom, Moss credits his late grandmother, Phyllis Baker, for having a significant impact on his world views.
"My grandmother was a lady who taught me about compassion, about empathy for others and how to really have a communal perspective on life," he says.
He plans to carry her influence forward. "If I can inspire students to learn more about themselves, learn more about society in general I think that I have done a good job."
More on World Teachers' Day.
Toronto Star