John a recently retired principal and a passionate educator with over two decades of experience in the field, shares his thoughts on resources available to students and teachers and the support required to make the learning process and mutually beneficial one.

With us on this episode is Jeff Fitton, from Campbell River, he is an educator to students from Grade 6-12 at Pen High. He has taught everything from Law, to English, History, and to Wellness, designed and championed by him to focus on real-life skills such as resilience, mental health, and stress management. Apart from being a teacher, Jeff hones a wide range of professional experiences, as a 911 dispatcher, Jail Guard, Teacher, Auxiliary RCMP, Auxiliary Fire Dept, RCMP front counter, and leverages it to open up that level of excitement through experience for my students. He loves to bring community into the classroom. Over the past 19 years, Jeff has invited guest speakers to his classroom from psychologists, hypnotherapists, addictions therapists, doctors, nutritionists, judges, and hostage negotiators, to sheriffs, and the police.

Julie H. Ferguson is a retired BC physiotherapist and Naval Reserve officer. She has authored over 10 books, is a freelance travel writer, a golfer, a foodie, an avid traveller, and a passionate photographer. Julie is an active volunteer and now works with the Grandmothers for Africa, South Okanagan, to raise funds for their sister grandmothers who have taken on parental responsibilities for their grandkids orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Julie's daughter, Lindsay Kaisaris, is a mother and the owner of Vagabond Merchants, a business that focuses on retail and restaurant distribution for BC wineries.

The guest speaker on this episode is Dr. Malcolm Paterson, DNA repair and Cancer research specialist also, the first Canadian cancer researcher to be honoured for his work towards genetic-environmental interaction in cancer development. We've discussed details about his educational and professional journey, his contributions towards the medical community, support for academic resources and development, the purpose and impact of Student of the Month Awards in Penticton, and appreciation for Pen Hi and Maggie's participation in the awards.