TCI says goodbye to a legend

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This article was published 25/01/2016 (3536 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For generations of Transcona Collegiate Institute students, Gerry Badiou is a ‘legend.’

“I like to stay physically fit, I like to stay active, I like to have fun, so I’ve got the best job in the world,” Badiou, a 61-year-old phys-ed teacher, told The Herald.

But even legends need to hang up their running shoes at some point. For Badiou, that time comes on Jan. 27, when he retires after teaching phys-ed at TCI for the past 38 and a half years.

“To teach this long in phys-ed is unusual,” said Shauna Martin, another teacher in TCI’s phys-ed department. “And to continue to evolve and progress and be dynamic as a teacher. I’d say he’s very inspiring.”

“To have that passion and energy after working like 90 years or something is incredible,” Rob Korkosh, another phys-ed teacher at TCI, added with a laugh. “It’s a testament to how well he does his job.”

“He runs a dynamic program,” Sandy Dzuba, TCI’s principal, said. “He comes to school each and every day and is passionate about what he teaches. When you have that passion, it’s very infectious.”

Badiou said he knew he wanted to be a gym teacher back in junior high, and focused his energies that way as he graduated from Vincent Massey and went on to the University of Manitoba. A lucky break landed him a full-time position at TCI straight out of the U of M.

“I’ve been here ever since,” Badiou smiled, adding there are a number of factors that kept him excited about working in Transcona over the years.

“It’s a very comfortable school to work in,” he said. “It’s a smaller school so you get to know all the kids, all the kids get to know you. Because of that you have a smaller staff, so you have an opportunity to socialize with the staff and have a good time with them.”

It’s quickly apparent that fun is a key component of Badiou’s philosophy, in life and in education.

“The longer I taught, the more I realized that the more enthusiasm or passion I put into teaching, the more fun you make the activities, the more the kids bought into it,” he said. “That’s the way I like to teach now. If the kids aren’t having fun, I’m not having fun.”

“He’s good for the elite athlete we may have, or the kid who just isn’t quite there,” Martin said. “His range is broad, he can connect with both ends of the spectrum.

“He’s always trying to bring different things into the program,” Martin said. “He’s always trying to find creative ways for kids to enjoy being active.”

Whether that means earning a black belt in taekwondo or putting his own twist on classic games to spice them up, Badiou has a reputation for keeping things fresh.

“We have a list on the wall of games Gerry has invented,” Korkosh said. “We say that whoever’s at the top is the best player in the world, because the only place to play the game is here! Those are the kinds of things Gerry does.”

Badiou said he is looking forward to travelling in his retirement, and getting involved in new activities.

“I’ve already started tai chi,” he said.

Badiou’s retirement leaves his colleagues in the phys-ed department at TCI with some large running shoes to fill.

“I don’t think the shoes will ever really be filled,” Korkosh admitted.

Luckily, Badiou doesn’t plan to leave them completely out to dry.

“I want to come back and sub,” he said. “I enjoy the school so much I’d miss it.”

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