Posted Jan. 7, 2020

Rhonda Sali - Self proclaimed Jesus loving Math nerd!

Rhonda Sali - Self proclaimed Jesus loving Math nerd!

Rhonda Sali – Self Proclaimed Jesus Loving Math Nerd

Hometown: Although I was born in Spirit River, Alberta and I also lived quite a few years in Vancouver, I consider Kelowna my hometown.

High School: I was NOT an Immaculata student....I was a Rutland girl!

Where did you attend university and what did you study? I did my undergrad (Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a minor in Math) and my PDP teaching training at SFU. Later in my life (2016) I crossed off a bucket list item by completing a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University.  

How long have you been at Immaculata? 4 years as a teacher, many years before that as an involved parent!

Where were you before Immaculata?

In the first part of my career, I taught for several years in Burnaby.

And then I spent quite a few years being an entrepreneur and raising babies instead of teaching .... my husband and I started a metal wholesale business in 1999 and I ran the financial side of that business for many years (still math!). After all those years I still had a great desire to teach so I took that as an invitation from the Holy Spirit to come back!

Why do you choose to work at Immaculata?

Because I love teaching and I particularly love to do so in an environment where I can authentically share my faith. Where else could I teach about polynomials, Mother Teresa and John Paul II all in the same lesson??

What about Immaculata are you most proud of?

JUSTICE IN JANUARY mission trip program! 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

My students! I truly enjoy getting to know the young people who walk through my classroom door daily...I think I learn more from them than they learn from me and that is the definition of a good job! I love teaching both math and religion because I get an opportunity to connect with kids in 2 very different areas of their development...this is a privilege for me. And my missionaries....WOW....I can't even believe that I have a job that allows me to serve the poor along side my students .... young people inspire me so much....even when they don't think they see Jesus clearly, I see Jesus in them! Very cool. 

What goals do you have for our students?

That they may leave IRHS a little kinder, a little more aware of the world and its people, a little more confident that God is trustworthy, and a lot more math smart!

What is the best lesson you've learned from a student? 

That people believe more in what you DO than what you say.

What were you like in high school?

Oh I have always been a Jesus loving math nerd!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Travel, read, play guitar with Gracelynn, hang with my dogs....and I'm obsessed with photography.

Who are the most important people in your life?

#1. Jesus

#2. My husband Rob and the 3 amazing humans we have raised together....Mack(25), Taylor Anne (23), and Gracelynn (16). Our kids are UNREAL...they make us look like better parents than we actually are but we'll take it.

#3. And I adore my 85 and 91 year old parents ..."honour your parents" is the easiest commandment for me because they are so lovely to love.

Fun fact: I have 2 dogs: Kuna my German Shepard has a Croatian name because she joined our family right after we got back from an epic family adventure in Croatia. Ruby Stella Penelope the 3rd (Ruby for short, the 3rd because she is our 3rd dog of this breed) is my little yorkie and she is so small that sometimes I sneak her into school (Shhhhh....)

 

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