PLAMONDON - Evan Bonner, a Grade 12 student at École Plamondon School, has been spending his afternoons helping Grade 4 students with their work. The high school senior was recently recognized by Northern Lights Public Schools as a Student Shining Star for February.
Bonner says he was given the opportunity to work with the younger students during his Grade 11 year. He had completed all his main courses, and had some time available where he could earn credits through work experience hours.
He spoke with Kadrin Delorme, who teaches Grade 4 at École Plamondon, about joining her in the classroom. Delorme was happy to let Bonner in the classroom.
“That’s when I started last year,” Bonner tells Lakeland This Week. “I like the kids…they’re all nice…they’re funny.”
While in the classroom, Bonner lends his time and talents by assisting students with science and other subjects. He also helps kids who are falling behind in their studies, taking them in small groups to help them finish their work.
“If they need help with their work, I’m usually their go-to, which is kind of nice,” he says.
Working with Grade 4 students has been enjoyable and fulfilling, says Bonner. He gets along well with the students and is impressed by how they are interested in learning new things and are always asking questions.
“They’re so curious about everything,” he says. “Having that mindset of always wanting to know what’s going on is kind of cool to me.”
After he graduates from high school in June, Bonner has his sights set on a career in the oilfield. While this line of work is vastly different from what he has done over the past couple of years working with kids in school, this experience, he says, will help him down the road.
“I’ve enjoyed my experience . . . it’s only bettered me,” he says.
Rhonda Plamondon, an Educational Assistant at École Plamondon School, also spoke about Bonner’s impact on the younger students through a profile put together by the school division
“Evan has a natural ability to connect with younger students, manage behaviours, and assist in the classroom,” says Plamondon.
