Presentation with Rjay Berra: Prince George Secondary School Teacher & Coach
In Rjay Berra’s presentation, he brilliantly demonstrated what Standard 2 of the BC Professional Teacher Standards really means: acting ethically and maintaining the integrity of our profession. Rjay told us stories of his time in the field and of when he was in the program with outstanding professionalism, avoiding any name-dropping or sensitive details. His approach was not just about being clear and concise; it was about showing respect and maintaining confidentiality, I believe are key traits of an educator. During the session, he shared how he built a connection with a student over hockey, despite the student not being in his class. He took time out of his day to support this student, which really highlighted his commitment to relationship building and ethical practice. This story resonated with me because it showed that being a great educator extends beyond the classroom—it’s about genuinely caring for your students. Rjay also stressed the importance of setting high standards for yourself, something that hit home with me. His ability to share insightful stories without compromising anyone’s privacy showed that it’s possible to engage with others while being completely professional. As someone who hopes to combine teaching with coaching in football or wrestling, I find Rjay’s dual role inspiring. Seeing him juggle these responsibilities with such high ethical standards motivates me to emulate this in my own career. His presentation was a powerful demonstration of how our actions and words significantly shape the reputation of our profession. Inspired by Rjay’s example, I’m even more determined to maintain these standards in my future career, ensuring I bring professionalism and genuine care into interactions at my school, whether in the classroom or on the field.