Cora Chojko-Bolec teaching English at RRHS

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Cora Chojko-Bolec has joined the Rainy River High School (RRHS) staff this semester, teaching grade 11 English.
Chojko-Bolec, a 1995 graduate of RRHS, found her way back to education through a series of career steps.
She attended Bemidji State University for a year after high school and then decided to take some time off school. She worked towards a Massage Therapy Diploma and eventually became a Pharmacy Technician for a few years. With little room to grow in that profession, she decided to go back to school. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2004. A job at the Northwestern Health Unit as a Health Educator solidified it for her, she wanted to be a teacher.
Last year she substitute taught in the district and this fall she landed the job at RRHS. While it is only one course this semester she has a full slate for the next one.
She is enjoying being back at RRHS and says a lot has changed since she went there. “There is no more OAC (grade 13). It is streamed a lot different than when I went here.”
To fill her extra time this semester she is also subbing in the system, but says she really enjoys having her own classroom the most. “I like making the plans and getting to know the kids.”
She, a former RRHS athlete, is also coaching Sr. Boys Volleyball this semester.
While she had thought it might be a bit awkward coming back to RRHS to teach it has not turned out that way. She said most of the people who taught her have moved on or retired. “The staff have been very supportive.”
Outside of school she enjoys most sports and even was able to get back into playing slowpitch this past summer.