Two new teachers join RRHS' staff

By Ken Johnston
Editor

There are two new teachers at Rainy River High School this year.
Amanda Little, who hails from Thunder Bay is teaching English and Parenting this semester. She has a Honours Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University with a major in visual art and a minor in english.
This is her second teaching job, having taught a year in Sudbury, Ont. She also filled in for two months here last year when she and her partner moved to Rainy River because of his work.
Little said she has found it to be different teaching in a smaller school like RRHS. “The kids are different. It is more of a community with everyone knowing everyone.”
Although she is extremely busy with classwork, Little is also volunteering to help with the yearbook and plans to help with the school drama production this year.
In her spare time she taps into her artistic side, doing “art for myself.” She also likes to bake, watch movies and just about anything crafty.
She is really enjoying teaching here and said the staff have been wonderful and very helpful.
Janine Tucker hails from a small town north of Portage La Prairie, Man., where she grew up on a farm.
Tucker is teaching Math to grades 9, 10 and 11 this semester and to gr. 11 and 12 next semester. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree, with a major in zoology and a minor in math, from the University of Manitoba. She then completed a B. of Ed. from Lakehead University.
This is also her second teaching job having taught a year at Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program in Stratton last year. Being from a rural setting herself she also attended a small school. “This is a good fit and where I have wanted to be (small school).”
She came to this area, also with her partner, who works in Fort Frances. Tucker loves the area, noting, “We have a cabin on Rainy Lake and I love to hunt, camp and snowmobile. I am definitely not a city girl!”
She admits that she did not initially realize that she wanted to teach. It was only after tutoring and working in a literacy program that she realized it was for her. Now she is very comfortable and elated to be teaching.
She and her husband live in Fort Frances so she shares the commute with other RRHS staff members.