High School Teacher Tireless in Creating Unique Opportunities for Students

When Shalen Fox walks down the hallways of Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon, he’s met with a chorus of fist bumps , nods, and handshakes from the young students he passes. His standing amongst the students is unmistakably positive, and rather unusual, considering Fox is one of the school’s faculty.

Fox, from Sweetgrass First Nation, is the Interventionist at Bedford Road – a new position created by Saskatoon Public Schools to provide students with support for academic, behavioural, and emotional needs.

“It’s about connections. That’s the easiest way to describe it. Connecting with students, with teachers, with families,” said Fox.

“It’s fun. I hear all the great things. I hear all the challenges, all the obstacles.”

Fox, who served as the school’s Indigenous Student Advocate for the previous two years, has been making the most of the time with the Bedford Road youth.

Last year, Fox started a group called Boys with Braids, which empowers the Indigenous boys in the school to not only embrace their culture, but to become leaders and teach others about their traditions.

“We teach young Indigenous men about the strength of their hair, their teachings, and the drum. We connect with the three C’s: creator, culture, and ceremony,” said Fox.

Taking place this Friday, Boys with Braids involves grade 9 to 12 students from the high school, taking on leadership positions. They have invited grade 8 students, and expect about 35 boys from nearby elementary schools to participate.

Events will include learning to braid hair, drumming, and a letting go exercise, where students can write letters about emotional burdens they want to unburden, before burning the letters.

“This is our healing. This is our way of giving back and honouring our ancestors, while connecting with others through culture,” said Fox.

Connecting with students on a deeper level has been a priority of Fox since starting at the school. He also leads a Men’s Group that he began after learning of a similar Girl’s Group in the school.

Starting last year, and into this school year, a group of male students at the school meet every two weeks. Fox said they are from every grade at the school, and come from different cultures and social classes.

“When we’re in that circle, everyone is equal. It breaks down barriers,” he said.

Fox takes a lead-by-example approach in the groups. He said he shares his own insecurities and vulnerabilities, which creates a space where the students feel safe to open up. He’ll offer subjects to centre discussions around, such as relationships, trust, or issues at the school.

“As an adult, I have to lead by example. I share that I struggle with things like my own identity,” he said.

“These young men are eventually going to become fathers, uncles, coaches, teachers. Whatever they choose in life, I hope I can give them a foundation and a few tools in their tool-belt to use when they move on to the next chapters of their lives.”

Fox’s impact isn’t just expressed through fist-bumps and nods in the hallways. He also regularly receives messages from students both past and present on the influence he’s had on their lives.

“Mr. Fox is someone who put the people around him first, and himself always last. He tries to find the better in people because he believes that no matter the person, you have a purpose and meaning, and he is always willing to seek out the better in you,” said Lynne, a former student at Bedford Road.

“Last year, I had gotten kicked out of school and was really struggling with finding my reason. Mr. Fox drove me around the city, dropping of resumes,” said Lynne.

“A great teacher is someone who tries to understand each student individually and make connections with students.”

Fox’s commitment to the growth of students extends to athletics as well. Throughout the year, he coaches volleyball, basketball, soccer, and golf. Working in sports has allowed Fox to create opportunities for students to see where athletics and academia could take them.

Partnering with the University of Saskatchewan, he created a day-in-the-life look into world of student-athletes at the university. Fox took 20 Bedford Road students to the university, where they toured the campus, met other Indigenous student-athletes, and learned how to apply for the school.

“It’s taking kids places where they can see themselves. That’s my whole vision,” said Fox. “It’s important to show them that they’re not the only ones that have this dream.”

Throughout the numerous programs, groups, coaching, and opportunities Fox creates for students, he maintains the same vision of doing everything he can to help young people see a better life for themselves.

“The best part of this all is graduation. Watching them walk across the stage and see their families in the crowd. The smiles and pride on their faces,” said Fox.

“We plant a seed and watch them grow as little trees. When you get to see them later and see how well they turned out, its like wow, look how much you’ve grown.”