I believe in education that is situated within an individual’s belief system and supported by their faith community. As a parent and as a teacher-leader, not only am I responsible for helping children acquire knowledge, but in guiding their decisions to act on their knowledge with morality.  This results in Catholic Graduates who are not victims of knowledge, but rather capable citizens of God striving for what is good

School is the environment where students “rehearse for life”: a rich resource for knowledge, facilitated experience, experiential inquiry, coaching, mentoring successes and failures. Catholic schools and educators provide a school environment for those in a Catholic life. 

Having benefited from a Catholic education in South Africa, teaching in the Catholic school system in Canada is a way for me to give back and share my faith journey openly, in my endeavour to support children in theirs. 

I grew up in apartheid South Africa, graduating from secondary school on the eve of the country’s first democratic election. At a time when schools were racially segregated, I attended Loreto Convent, one of the very few schools where all children were included. I know first-hand the crushing effects of discrimination and poverty.

In 2007 I founded HOZA! Creative Mediation. HOZA!, an award winning performing-arts company performed at corporate and community events, and in schools to over 35,000 students each year by  a skilled team of performers and educators passionate about social justice. The name “Hoza" is an African word that we take to mean STOP, START or CHANGE. The mission: to help put a STOP to negative thinking and behaviours, and facilitate CHANGE that is needed to START living in a more socially just world. 

As a qualified teacher, experienced educator and artist-educator, husband, father-of-three, and an active member of my parish I bring my living faith (my practice of prayer, giving thanks and celebration), my faith in action (my work in social justice advocacy) and my professional skill-set to help facilitate the acquisition of knowledge within the bounds of a joyful and responsible Christian Education.

My upbringing has instilled in me to respect the opinions and beliefs of others, follow God’s plan, and to ask for help and guidance when I need it.  I continually give thanks for those things that I could never achieve on my own and appreciate my talents – and my responsibility to share them. In faith I strive to apply my skills and talents towards building capacity among youth, educators and the general public in order to positively affect world issues.  I believe that nuanced individuals need the opportunity to thrive in an inclusive-community where they feel safe to express themselves and make mistakes.  A challenging program that is rooted in current best practices will reach every student.  

Kevin Fell