John Hetherington – Educator
Of all the hostels in Toronto, we get in addition to the usual compliment of youthful backpackers, a lot of people from vitrually every profession and walk of life staying with us.
We have had literally every type of tradesman as well as computer specialists, architects, lawyers, physicians, police officers, athletes, students and entertainers – you name it!
We also have teachers. A lot of teachers. They range from educators on sabbatical to teachers chaperoning student field trips.
Which brings us to John Hetherington a remarkable educator from West Ferris Secondary School in North Bay, Ontario. It’s a small culturally homogenous city/town directly north of Toronto (about 250 kilometers).
John visits the hostel two or three times every year, most often with a group of students on a trip to the big city.
The groups he leads come to culturally diverse Toronto with the purpose of experincing the lives of people of different cultures, languages, customs and religions.
It is an admirable program designed to promote tolerance and understanding in a world all too fearful of differences.
In the past, John has cycled to Toronto on his off-time just for fun and exercise. But, today’s issue of The Globe and Mail (Canada’s National – and arguably best – Newspaper) has profiled other things John does during his leisure time.
As well as encouraging the development of cross-cultural understanding, it seems he fosters a sense of social responsibility in his students.
This is the article in today’s newspaper. You can read all about it here and we encourage you to do so:
Nicely done John! Hope to see you again soon!
John Hetherington – reclining front and centre of his young charges in front of our hostel.