Education graduate hopes to make a difference in the lives of his students

Years later, Connor Venables still reflects on his second day in Kabul when a car bomb exploded in the compound next to where he was stationed.  The bomb signaled the start of a complex attack that saw insurgents throwing grenades and firing rockets and assault rifles in an attempt to create as much carnage as possible.

Venables was a Captain with the 1st Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) and a veteran of nearly 10 years by the time he received the posting to Afghanistan.

“My title was ‘battle captain’, which meant that I coordinated emergency response to convoys in distress. Distress could mean under attack, in a vehicle collision, in a riot or requiring medical evacuation,” explains Venables. 
In addition to his official duties, Venables volunteered to drive armoured SUVs for personnel transport and as interior security lead for a resupply mission to a children’s hospital. 

Near the end of his tour he was promoted to Chief of Operations of the operations centre. “This meant I became less of the manager of crises and more of the decision maker or policy changer.”

After six months in Kabul Venables rotated home with more reflection in order as he was facing a significant decision. 

Career Change

“I attended university under the Regular Officer Training Plan, which meant that after graduating, I owed the army five years of service. I returned home to my beautiful wife in December 2013 knowing that my obligatory service was going to be over in early 2014, so we started discussing whether or not I should get out of the forces.”

A weighty life choice considering Venables had eagerly joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment in Nanaimo at the age of 17, serving in the reserve unit for a year and then transferring to the regular forces for Regular Officer Training before being posted to the PPCLI in Edmonton in 2009.

Venables also gave some thought to why he had signed up to begin with.  “One of the reasons I got into the army was to make a difference,” he says. “I wanted to be a decision-maker, on the ground, in the action.”

Despite rising through the ranks and receiving several citations including a Regimental Commendation, Brigade Commander’s Commendation and Area Commander’s Commendation for performance under adverse conditions, Venables came to understand that the wheels of change turn slowly.

“Over time in the forces, I realized that the kind of change that I wanted to make would require a commitment of my entire career and life.”

Though proud of his service, Venables and his wife decided it was the right time for him to choose another path that would allow him to make an immediate impact.

Welcome to the Werklund School of Education

He did not have to look too far afield to find what he was looking for as there are several teachers in his family, but Venables says that he came to the vocation for his own reasons.

“I see teaching as a way that I can make a difference in people’s lives directly. It is an incredibly important profession that I think I am naturally inclined to do.”

Settling in Calgary, Venables enrolled in the Werklund School of Education’s Bachelor of Education program, and, while some may believe there is a disconnect between teaching and the armed forces, he disagrees.

“Before deciding to teach children and youth, I had already taught adult soldiers in classroom and practical settings.  I led many things and at times was responsible for moving massive amounts of weapons, vehicles, equipment and personnel.  I was typically in charge of 30 or so soldiers, was responsible for their training as well as leading them on training exercises and domestic operations.”

Beyond leadership and logistic skills, Venables believes his military and travel experiences have given him a perspective on life that he hopes will benefit his students.

“The relationship I have with my students is similar to that which I held with my soldiers: I must behave as a role model at all times and I have to earn their respect.  I also believe in the inherent goodness of children.”

Sharing Lessons Learned

This last lesson was made clear when Venables and a friend encountered a child in a village in Rwanda where the friend’s hand held out in greeting was misinterpreted by the boy as a request for his bread.

“The boy, a villager with few clothes, put the bread in my friend’s hand. My friend’s heart sank and he gave the bread back.”

Possibly the most important lesson Venables says he can share with his students is to believe in themselves. 

“My experiences in the army showed me that most people are physically and mentally capable of so much more than they think they are. Many people tell me that they could not have done what I’ve done. It’s not true. Most of them don’t know what they really could achieve.”

Today, Venables receives his degree and begins a new phase of his life.  A moment he will no doubt take the time to reflect on for years to come.