Jessica Belanger is an elementary music teacher with the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board. Belanger works with the Renfrew group of schools including Our Lady of Fatima, St. Thomas and St. Joseph’s High School.
Belanger grew up in Renfrew and says she started teaching in 2009. She has continued the choir started by Sister Joan in 1989. Belanger also spent a summer working at the Renfrew Public Library where she worked with the children’s librarian to help run the summer reading program.
The Renfrew music teacher says there’s nothing more rewarding than watching that light bulb go off and seeing kids “get it”. Whether it’s learning a new instrument, memorizing a piece of music or gaining the confidence to perform in front of others.
Belanger adds it’s a mentally fatiguing job that’s very active. As a music teacher she has a huge range of students that she teaches from kindergarten to Grade 8. Belanger says she has to be able to switch gears quickly going from teaching 4-years-olds who aren’t afraid of anything to 14 and 15-year-olds who are shy and nervous to take risks in front of their peers.
One of the accomplishments she is most proud of is spearheading a music specialist program. Belanger says when she started teaching in 2009 there was only two music teachers with the Catholic board. She adds her and one other teacher drove to all 20 elementary schools in the county and were able to expand the music program to where it is today with six and a half music teachers.
As a music teacher, the COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges. Belanger says they have transitioned to a lot of body percussion which includes clapping, snapping and stomping. She adds her classes are also studying music history and listening to music of the past. Belanger adds listening to music doesn’t provide the same benefits as playing an instrument. The Renfrew music teacher says one Grade 6 classes is in a unit on Dolly Parton and 90% of the students have never heard of her before.
Belanger says one of her mottos is to go in with an attitude of gratitude. She says to not take the hard days personally and adds it’s a super power to shape the minds and hearts of people in our community.
Listen to the full interview with Jessica Belanger here: