Longtime local educator Pat Grisonich is very much looking forward to getting started as a trustee for the Medicine Hat Public School Division.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com
Pat Grisonich, new Medicine Hat Public School Board trustee who received the most votes on Oct. 18, is a retired teacher and administrator with 36 years of experience who hopes to share his experience on the board and within public schools.
Grisonich said his mom and dad taught him and two brothers to work hard and that his parents were proud of all three of them working in education. Pat’s brothers, Rob and Boris Grisonich, are educators many Hatters will recognize. Each of the Grisonich brothers has worked for more than 30 years in the city.
He explained that the main reason he wanted to be a trustee is to give back to the community.
“I wanted to get involved in this because someone did it for me,” said Grisonich. “Someone spent the time coaching me, someone was out supervising things that I wanted to do or making things happen. I want to return that favour.”
Grisonich hopes his years of experience will bring value to the board. He also loves working in the education system and serving on the board allows him to continue.
“What drew me is just being involved with kids, teachers and education. If there is any way that I can share my experiences and help central office make decisions, then I want to do that,” Grisonich said. “I want our district and our schools to be the best.”
Not only did Grisonich dedicate himself to teaching students, but also to coaching sports, working with theatre programs and volunteering within schools and for city events. He has a passion for extra-curricular activities for students.
“What we have found is kids that are involved in activities do better in school,” said Grisonich. “They learn how to budget their time and get their studying done.”
He believes building strong relationships is crucial when working within the education system.
“The most important part of teaching is relationships,” said Grisonich. “If we love and care about those kids, and do everything we can to build relationships, we can move mountains.”
“I want students to have this incredible experience where they feel like the most important place they go to, besides home, is school. The only way we can do that is through our teachers,” said Grisonich. “When I was an administrator, I told the teachers to get to know the kids, because every kid has a different story and when you know a little bit about them, it might change the way you work with them.”
Grisonich hopes to be visible within the schools he is assigned to so he can make connections with teachers and students. He wants to work and celebrate their successes with them.
“I just love this city. I love working in school district 76. I’m so excited to be a trustee,” said Grisonich. “I want to show everybody from central office to groundskeepers that they all do amazing work. They are all important to us.”
