It happens to all kids no matter their age: feeling lost at sea, drifting in the midst of strange faces with no idea about how to make sense of any of it.
It can happen in elementary school, high school, even university.
If you’re really lucky, someone comes to bail you out.
The Ryan Family last fall. (Courtesy: Nathalie Fauteux, Gofundme)
So very often, it’s one of your teachers.
He or she talks to you, delivers a giant dose of love and understanding and finally–finally–you really feel like you can move forward, looking around with not fear but awareness.
Canada lost one of those teachers over the weekend.
His name is Sean Ryan, he taught at Loyola High School in Montreal’s West End for 10 years.
Mr.Ryan, who taught at Loyola High School. (Courtesy: Loyola High School)
He died from a brain tumour.
The school’s president, Paul Donovan, made the announcement Monday.
After the diagnosis last fall, Ryan’s family and Loyola rallied.
Ryan’s wife, Nathalie Fauteux, started a funding campaign that became the number-one fundraiser in Canada, raising almost $150,000.
His students couldn’t say enough good things about him.
(Photo: Navneet Pall/CBC)
“Mr. Ryan is one of the greatest teachers I’ve ever had,” wrote Grade 10 Loyola student Trevor Ennis. “He made English class fun and informative at the same time. He made sure to include everybody and got so many kids to come out of their shells and be more confident around others.”
Ryan was 35.
He leaves, his wife, their infant son, James, his students, and his fellow teachers who took the time to connect.
With files from CBC, Montreal Gazette, Loyola High School
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