James Ward

Mr. Ward earned a Bachelor of Science in Evolutionary Ecology from the University of Alberta, Bachelor of Education also from the University of Alberta, and a Masters of Education from City University in Seattle, Washington. He has enjoyed this profession since 1996 and have called Notre Dame Home since 1998 where he has taught Math, General Science, Forensics, Religion and primarily Biology. He has 3 daughters who are RDCRS students. His eldest is in her 2nd year at University of Lethbridge, his middle daughter in grade 12 at ND & his youngest is in grade 9 at St Francis. He has his dream job; he has taught over 4800 students at Notre Dame including so many siblings and recently students whose parents he taught when he first arrived at Notre Dame.

As a teen, he was in Sea Cadets (14-19) where he had opportunity for leadership, navigation, seamanship & sailing skills. He went on to become a Learn to Sail instructor student teacher, junior instructor to section-head instructor. These experiences laid a foundation for him to become an educator. He has planted trees in BC/Alaska, surveyed & paved roads, worked in Hospitality, been in sales, and now he educates students. He has coached Sailing, Badminton, Volleyball, Ringette & Field Hockey. Ringette is by far his most favorite sport for its speed, finesse and teamwork. He grew up in Jamaica, Sherwood Park, Cold Lake & calls Red Deer home since 1998. Two houses, 10 cars, 3 kids, 1 dog, 1 wife (21+ years and counting). Yes, Red Deer has been good to him!

His favorite quotes include:

• "Genius is 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration" (Alexander Graham Bell)
• "Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot, you are right" (Henry Ford)
• "If an egg is broken from the outside, life ends. If an egg is broken from the inside life begins. Great things always begin from the inside." (Paul Coehlo)