Taped to Jonathan Thornton’s desk in the Jasper Junior/Senior High School is a letter to his predecessor, full of words of wisdom and well wishes.
After six years as the school’s music and drama teacher, Thornton recently packed up his desk and handed in his keys, in order to start his next adventure in Penhold, Alta., where he will teach Grade 2-5 music and Grade 6-12 band.
Leaving Jasper hasn’t been an easy decision, but Thornton said with upcoming nuptials and plans to start a family, he and his partner realized it was time to move to a place where they can afford to buy a home of their own.
“I learned so much in Jasper,” he said last week, reflecting on the first six years of his career. “When I started I was brand spankin’ new. I was green and inexperienced.
“I had the opportunity to build a drama program, maintain a music program; I learned about fundraising opportunities and how to build effective relationships [with my students].
“I learned that field trips are awesome and very, very needed—and that I really enjoy getting a travel agent to plan field trips instead of me,” he said with a laugh.
Thornton—or as his students call him: Mr. T—relocated to Jasper from Ontario in 2009.
He was fresh out of university and armed with enthusiasm, a desire to teach and a UHaul full of all of his life’s belongings.
“I applied to 60 school boards across Canada and Jasper was the first to hire,” he recalled, noting that he had never even heard of Jasper—an oversight he blames on his elementary school geography lessons.
“The furthest west I’d been before I moved to Jasper was Lake Huron. It was a big life change coming here.”
Since arriving in town, Thornton has been an inspiration to countless students, parents and community members, as well as an active member in the Jasper Theatre Company.
This year, three of his graduating students—students he has taught since they entered the school in Grade 7—are going on to pursue performing arts, whether it’s acting, directing or becoming a drama teacher.
“Seeing a Grade 7 group of students grow and graduate and become members of society, that’s one of my highlights,” he said.
“I’m really going to miss the kids. There’s such a fantastic group of students in this town.”
Many of those students, and their parents, have reached out to Thornton since he announced his departure, thanking him for all that he has done for the school and community.
His Facebook page is littered with well wishes and sad goodbyes.
To all of those people, as well as the rest of the community, Thornton has nothing but appreciation.
“I want to say thanks to everyone here for making the past six years memorable.
“I’ll miss you all.”
Nicole Veerman
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