In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Janine Draper
What do you always find yourself saying?
Don’t worry - Mrs. Draper’s got it covered!
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Kim Burnett, my first mentor teacher, because she is one of the most dynamic educators that I have ever encountered.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I’m not really into receiving awards – but I love receiving hugs from previous students.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Mother Teresa because I believe that her faith-inspired love and extreme sacrifice demonstrated that all humanity is worthy.
Who inspires you?
Children!! Their unwavering faith, forgiving hearts, and the way that they live life with wide-eyed wonder inspire me!
What are three things on your bucket list?
Spend a week in Quebec City.
Drive the Oregon Coast in a convertible.
Eat pasta in Italy.
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Kids’ Inheritance
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I would much rather live by faith than to know what is coming. It keeps me committed to living in the moment.
What are you passionate about?
Inspiring children to become life-long learners.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
The day I married my best friend, Kevin. It was the beginning of what still is an amazing journey together!
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Raising two children, Robert and Jacquelyn, to become such fantastic adults!
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
My favourite place to dine is the Eldorado and its spectacular Sunday brunch. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and I like that it is located on the waterfront.
What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
It would be a day at the beach because it makes me stop and appreciate the beauty of this place.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Willowstone Academy
What does your business/organization do?
Invest in the lives of children to help them realize their extraordinary potential. We provide 12 months of seamless education and care for children in preschool to grade 8 in an intimate, boutique-sized learning community.
Where can people find you or your business online?
www.willowstoneacademy.com
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Willowstone Academy
What is your Twitter account?
@MrsDrapersClass
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Janine Draper
What is your mission?
To make sure that every child in my classroom knows that they are worthy and that they are capable.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
For every child that I teach to be inspired to love learning and to believe that they are worthy.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
Fully living out our Learn Forward philosophy – embracing and exploring the five most important journeys, with parents, teachers, and students working together to create the best learning environment possible!
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
My mom. She was a brilliant educator and yet was able to find balance between her work and her family life.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Grace, Faith, Love
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Thank you for your partnership!! I could not do my job as effectively without all of your support and assistance.
How does your business/organization impact the community?
We are educating tomorrow’s leaders – today! We believe that children learn best when their parents and teachers collaborate in healthy and supportive ways. We believe in creating and modeling authentic community.
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
It wouldn’t matter what field they were in as long as they value holistic education and innovation. I would want to talk about our belief in the five most important journeys of a child – faith, worthiness, selfhood, belonging, and change making – as children and families discover ways to thrive.
If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Summer would last all year long!
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
It is a beautiful place with so many great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Lorraine Richmond - Leadership Coach
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I love my job and am grateful to be able to learn together with children, parents and a dedicated, talented staff, in such a vibrant, innovative and caring community.
Photo credits to: Darren Hull Studios Inc. and Jessica Krebs Photography.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
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