John Fleming breaks the mold

 

John Fleming, one of the creators of the Youth Justice program, had a big impact on recent graduates.

 

John Fleming knows it takes time to build a good reputation.

As one of the creators of the Youth Justice Program at Douglas College, he's seen the program he started with the late Dave Burgess seven years ago grow into one of the most well-known and respected in the field today.

But the program isn't the only thing that's earned itself an excellent reputation. In a recent survey of graduates, Fleming was named by many as one of the teachers who had the greatest impact on their education.

"John definitely breaks the mold," says Matt Hamilton, a 2007 graduate from the Youth Justice program.

"He really challenges the students. He always seemed to have this good read on everyone in the class and was able to help them realize where their strengths lay," says Hamilton, who now works as a Youth Worker with PLEA Community Services of BC.

Ingrid Deveranes, another Youth Justice graduate, credits John with going out of his way to get her the practicum she really wanted.

"It was a practicum where they don't usually take first-year students," she explains. "John actually called them up and really sold them on the idea of having me."

"I had to," says Fleming. "She was just so great."

That placement led to a full-time position with PLEA's Sisters and Daughters program in Surrey, where Deveranes still works.

"Without that practicum, it's possible I wouldn't be working here today," she says.

Fleming says finding the perfect practicum placements for his students is one of the best parts of his job, because more often than not, it means they will soon be his colleagues.

"Not only do I get to be out in the community with the practitioners, but I get to see my students now in leadership jobs in the community," says Fleming, who has been teaching for 21 years.

And it's that level of personal involvement that makes Fleming stand out as a teacher, say his former students.

"He has such a high level of compassion for people", says Deveranes. "There are no days when he is too tired or too busy to care."

"What really stood out is how he teaches from experience, not from a textbook," says Hamilton. "John really made it such a smooth transition to working in the field. He's able to get a workforce out there that's both capable and compassionate."

That's exactly what Fleming hopes for more of as the Youth Justice Program begins its eighth year this Fall.

"I want the students to be able to lead in the field, not just work in the field," says Fleming.

"They can develop an incredible sense of self-awareness. My goal is for them to go and do exactly what their values intend."

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