Class Acts
Meet the winners of our Fresh Start contest. Thanks to some expert advice to help them feel and look professional, they have the tools to start the school year with renewed confidence.
Sheri Sparling, OCT
“I need to make the time and carve out a moment for myself in order to slow down and focus on me.”
Dress, $40, Winners (winners.ca); earrings, $62, Banana Republic (bananarepublic.ca); heels, $150, Nine West (ninewest.ca)
Teaches Grade 5, Winston Churchill PS
Lambton Kent DSB
Goals
De-stress and regain my health.
Experts
Bryan Sher, Chiropractor, Daniel Watters, Naturopathic Doctor, both from the Rosedale Wellness Centre (rosedalewellness.com)
Advice
“Changing her environment with something like a 15-minute walk will help Sheri deal with her stress. She should balance her new exercise program of intense workouts with hot yoga sessions. Exercise under heat will naturally increase her metabolism, burning calories even while she’s resting. Daily supplements such as omega-3 will support weight loss; magnesium to improve carb, fat and protein conversion, and muscle recovery; and L-carnitine to improve the rate of fat breakdown.”
—Daniel Watters
On the agenda
- No more working with her computer on her lap, which is causing the natural curve of her neck to be out of alignment, and causes shoulder tension, headaches, fatigue and visual problems.
- Eat regularly and bring snacks such as fruit to class for a quick nutrition break.
Marco Belvedere, OCT
“The ball is in my court. I need to get to a state of mind where I make time to achieve my fitness levels, and do some of the things, like jiu-jitsu, that I used to enjoy.”
Shirt, $50, H&M (hm.com); sweater, $124, Banana Republic (bananarepublic.ca); jeans, $69, Gap (gapcanada.ca); belt, $25, Old Navy (oldnavy.ca); watch, Armani, $295, at Hudson’s Bay (thebay.com); sneakers, $135, Kenneth Cole at Town Shoes (townshoes.com)
Teaches Grades 3/4,
St. Angela Merici Catholic ES
York Catholic DSB
Goals
Live a healthier lifestyle, boost my energy without the aid of caffeine and improve my sleeping habits.
Experts
Bryan Sher, Chiropractor, Daniel Watters, Naturopathic Doctor and Alisha McLardy, Stretch Therapist/Kinesiologist, all from the Rosedale Wellness Centre (rosedalewellness.com)
Advice
“Marco is mentally exhausted but not physically exhausted — the body is missing that physical challenge, which could be the reason for his restless sleep. Because of that, Marco’s just trying to give his body caffeine to balance things out, but really he’s just doing more long-term damage to his body. He needs to replenish himself properly by revamping his diet and getting back into fitness.”
—Bryan Sher
On the agenda
- Substituting beet juice for coffee gives a healthier energy boost.
- Supplements like Vitamin D for healthy blood pressure and bone density, fish oil like omega-3 to manage cholesterol, and B12 for detoxification.
Catherine Mourot, OCT
“Before this consultation I felt like I was floating, but both experts gave me the direction and focus that I need to feel confident.”
Dress, $129, and blazer, $79, both Jacob (jacob.ca); necklace, $62, Banana Republic (bananarepublic.ca); heels, $175, Town Shoes (townshoes.com)
Taught core subjects in English to Inuit elementary students in Kugaaruk, Nunavut, and was the English Special Education teacher in Inukjuak, QC. She currently lives in Sudbury, hoping to gain a spot on the Occasional Teaching list there.
Goals
Improve my interview skills, and learn how to dress professionally on a tight budget.
Experts
Ingrie Williams, Fashion Stylist (@ingriewilliams, Twitter), and
Melanie Hazell, Managing Partner,
Hazell & Associates/Career Partners International (hazell.com)
Advice
“Catherine has to put aside her ideas on what looks professional. The rules have changed. She’s on a budget but that doesn’t mean she can’t be creative. Wear a bold print — especially if it’s in black and white. Just pair it with neutrals.”
—Ingrie Williams
On the agenda
- During an interview focus on three key points that define who she is as a teacher. This will help her focus her ideas and not ramble.
- Take the lead. If you know where you’re going with your answers, you’ll be more impactful.
- Look the part. Find that perfect fit. If your budget is tight, buy an inexpensive blazer and have it custom-tailored to fit. It’ll be worth every penny.
Tanja Morin-Kovacevic, OCT
“This was an ‘aha’ moment for me. I realize now what I am capable of and need to put aside my doubts and insecurities for my new role.”
Jacket, Michel Studio, $150, at Addition Elle (1-plus.com); shirt $79, and pants, $99, both Calvin Klein, at Hudson’s Bay (thebay.com); necklace, $85, Banana Republic (bananarepublic.ca); watch, Michele, $595, at Hudson’s Bay (thebay.com); heels, $120, Nine West (ninewest.ca)
Vice-Principal, École élémentaire publique Cité Jeunesse and École secondaire Marc-Garneau (CFB Trenton) Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario
Goals
Gain professional confidence as a new administrator, and learn how to handle difficult people and situations.
Experts
Melanie Hazell, Managing Partner,
Hazell & Associates/Career Partners International (hazell.com)
Advice
“Tanja is a humble person and doesn’t allow herself to accept her achievements. When given a compliment, instead of downplaying it she needs to internalize the message and give herself full credit for her achievements. When dealing with difficult people, she has all the tools, strategies and instinct to do the right thing. She has to be confident in her actions.”
—Melanie Hazell
On the agenda
- Have self-confidence. Tanja has a presence, and she has to believe it in order to maximize her strengths.
- Keep a strong perspective on how to view “difficult people.” Assessing them through this lens will allow her to see interactions with people differently, imagine positive outcomes and leverage the resources she already has handling difficult situations more effectively.
Where credit is due
How did the team at Professionally Speaking manage to create this amazing experience for four OCTs? We did it thanks to the generosity of consultants and companies who donated expertise and products.
What inspired that generosity? They wanted to show their gratitude for the great work that Ontario teachers do. We couldn’t think of a better reason.
With that in mind, for donating their expertise or incredible products, we would like to thank:
- Dr. Bryan Sher, Chiropractor; Daniel Watters, Naturopathic Doctor; Alisha McLardy, Stretch Therapist/Kinesiologist — all from the Rosedale Wellness Centre (rosedalewellness.com) in Toronto;
- Melanie Hazell, Managing Partner, Hazell & Associates/Career Partners International (hazell.com);
- Ingrie Williams, Fashion Stylist (@ingriewilliams, Twitter);
- P&G Beauty and Gillette brands for creating luxurious gift baskets featuring cosmetics from COVERGIRL and skin care from Olay, as well as grooming products from Gillette and Old Spice;
- Elizabeth Arden brands for providing Red Door Aura fragrance for our female winners and John Varvatos Classic fragrance for our male;
- Centura Brands for indulging our winners with a collection of salon-quality LaCoupe and LaCoupe orgnx products.
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY
TRACEY HO LUNG
PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY:
LUIS ALBUQUERQUE
PROP STYLING:
CHARLENE WALTON, JUDY INC.
PORTRAITS:
ALVARO GOVEIA
HAIR AND MAKEUP:
MICHELLE ROSEN, JUDY INC.
WARDROBE:
INGRIE WILLIAMS
