This week, Ms. Jennifer Paziuk shares insight into what student support looks like at the School. At TCS since 1993, Ms. Paziuk is the head of Senior School - student support.

Written by guest blogger, Jennifer Paziuk

I am often asked what “student support” looks like at Trinity College School. Having been at the School for nearly 30 years, in a variety of roles deeply rooted in supporting student needs, my response to that question is often intentionally abbreviated and focused on support as it applies to the context of the person inquiring or the setting in which the question was asked, such as an Open House or Information Evening. It was suggested that I respond to that same question for today’s blog, through a more personal lens.

Here are my thoughts…

I could speak to the range of support-related services, departments, programs and structures that continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of adolescents: advising, academic support, guidance, writing centre, math learning centre, academic assistance, Support Saturdays, library, health centre, athletic therapy, chapel and chaplain, and Circle of Care.

I could speak about the caring staff: teachers, heads of house, residence assistants, advisors, coaches, arts instructors, service leaders, club advisors and chaperones, kitchen staff, housekeeping, property and security, admissions, IT services, philanthropy & alumni staff and others. All of whom, in their own way, care for, connect with, and support our students in expected and unexpected ways. There are innumerable examples of staff members noticing a need and responding. It may be as simple as offering directions or asking if a student is okay. Or it may be more complex, such as engaging a team of staff to ensure that a student can get home for the holidays despite pandemic restrictions and lost personal identification, or involving the Circle of Care and more specialized services to implement support for a nuanced and sensitive health-related matter.

I could speak about our students and student leaders’ thoughtful commitment to supporting one another through house and school events, clubs, affinity groups, house leadership, birthday celebrations, community education and awareness initiatives, chapel addresses, peer-to-peer academic support, stewardships, research projects, committee membership, honest feedback, input and advocacy.

I could speak about the investment our staff make in professional learning related to understanding adolescence, teaching and learning, assessment and evaluation, concussion recovery, neuroscience, psychology and development, gender, individual and community wellbeing, risk-taking, choice-making, agency, motivation, coaching and the importance of values, purpose and caring relationships in the lives of young people.

I am both proud and grateful to be part of a community that values relationships, invests in support, strives to listen and understand, and is committed to continued learning. I likely do not express my gratitude to all the individuals, departments and services I have just referenced nearly enough.

That said, it's the little things...the small, often unnoticed gestures of care, kindness, intention and connection that are of the greatest impact and, to me, define student support. Cumulatively, these acts result in a whole that is far greater than the sum of its parts; student support is how we care for others and ourselves. Student support is waiting those extra few moments to hold the door open. Student support is making eye contact and saying hello when passing in the hallway. Student support is listening without interruption, noticing not only what is being said but how it is being said. Support is asking questions, withholding judgment and listening with an open mind to better understand a student’s point of view and experience.

Student support is applause for chapel announcements, and doing so a little louder and longer when someone is nervous, or the team could use a boost. Student support is welcoming others, making space and introductions. Student support is asking a student “why” and avoiding assumptions. Student support is the encouragement to try out, speak up, follow through, align actions with values, push through, rest, and care for oneself as kindly as one cares for others. Student support is a nod – an acknowledgement of effort, triumph, struggle, perseverance, appreciation, and seeing the student in that moment.

Caring relationships “flourish and abound” within the Trinity College School community and it is my privilege to witness these every day. It is through these supportive gestures, small and large, that we strengthen trust in one another, grow relationships and foster a sense of safety that allows students to challenge, advocate, learn from failure and exercise choice on the road to independence. Ultimately, that is what we are supporting.