Catholic elementary teacher Landon Fritz has found where he belongs
By James Tubb on October 4, 2023.
Samantha Johnson
It’s World Teacher Day on Thursday and this year’s theme is ‘teachers at the heart of education recovery.’
To honour the day, the News caught up with Landon Fritz, who works for the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education teaching a Grade
4/5 split class at St. Louis School. With about 100 students at the school, Fritz has 21 in his class.
“Pretty manageable when you consider other teachers around the division or in public who have 30 or 31,” Fritz said. He’s taught in the division for four years, two at St. Patrick’s before moving to St. Louis.
“It was tougher to switch careers when you’re 30,” said Fritz. “I started out and did my first two years in Ed at the college way back when.”
At that time, he didn’t know if it was the right career path for him so he worked for the parks department at the city. Then he decided a decade or so later when he was working in oil and gas that he couldn’t see himself doing it for another 20 years.
“I made the change and it was difficult because you are going back to school with people younger than you at different stages of life. I was already married but had that life experience. It was a good change, I’m really happy.”
Having gone through MHCBE for his grade school years, it was important for Fritz to teach within the division.
“I did all my K-12 through Catholic, so ideally that was the perfect choice. That part has been really nice because it’s like a family.”
Having fun with his students is a huge part of his teaching style. He is high energy, which helps to match that of the kids in his class.
“I’d say a firm but fair approach. The kiddos know the routine and what to expect when they enter my room and it’s about developing those relationships with them. Each day, when they get in, I’m at the door greeting them as they come in. I think that is so important, so the kiddos know you care about them.”
Asking students how their dance class or soccer practice was, is important to Fritz to let each of them know he sees them.
“Then they open up to you and there is more buy-in from them. If they appreciate and like you as a teacher, they are probably going to be more willing to participate, engage and try.”
The most rewarding part of the job is knowing he’s making an impact.
“Every job has their rewarding, and maybe not so rewarding, aspects. I would say with teaching is knowing you are making an impact with these kids and seeing the difference. Seeing them stuck on a concept, maybe they can’t multiply when they started the unit, but they know some of their times tables by the end, or all of them. That’s the rewarding part, those lightbulb-going-off moments.” Even though he was born and raised in Medicine Hat, being a teacher has expanded the number of families he knows. Fritz lives in Ross Glen and isn’t familiar with the Flats so gets to meet families he wouldn’t normally meet and hear about different life circumstances and how unique each of his students is.
Fritz is involved with intramurals one day a week during lunch recess, which introduces students to different athletics.
“Getting to play soccer or basketball. Teaching them those skills and life skills, teamwork, fair play, sportsmanship and effort. I think that is a big thing for kids — resiliency. If at first you don’t get something, keep trying.”
Finding the balance between work, life and home is a something the division strongly promotes, Fritz says.
“As a division we have a really good support system with fellow teachers, learning assistants, administration. They are always there to support and help out whenever they can. I’ve only worked in two schools in our division, but I can say that both here and at St. Pat’s it was the same. I’ve built lots of meaningful friendships in the time I’ve been here. Knowing there are people here to support you if and when you come across those times when you are stressed. It’s like a family, the division. We preach that a lot as a division, starting at the top with our superintendent, but you do really see it in action here.”
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