Holy Trinity High School health teacher Denny De Oliveira wears many hats. In addition to his teaching role, he is the Healthy Active Living/Co-curricular Chairperson and head coach for both the senior boys and girls soccer teams.
His main focus is instilling in his students valuable life skills, both on and off the field, before embarking on post secondary endeavours.
De Oliveira comes from humble beginnings, immigrating from Portugal to Canada with his parents and living with his aunt and uncle in a small house in Mississauga.
“They (his parents) gave up a good life for me to have opportunities. They worked two jobs to give me the opportunity to have a post secondary education. I had to live up to their expectations of entering a profession that was respectable,” he said.
Growing up, he had memorable teachers and coaches who were great role models. One person in particular who inspired De Oliveira was a chaplain at his high school, Brian Finamore.
“He made teaching seem easy, he always was happy, embraced challenges and cared about students. He never complained, didn’t care what others thought, he just wanted to make a difference. I thought if I could be someone like him I would be okay,” he said.
His father was another inspiration, who coached children's sports teams.
“Growing up my dad was a community volunteer coach and still is. I was lucky enough to see the positive influence that he had on kids,” he said.
Teaching seemed to come naturally for De Oliveira, he loved helping people of all ages, and even taught his grandmother how to read.
De Oliveira has many memorable moments in all his 21 years of teaching at Holy Trinity, leading the girls and boys soccer teams to multiple victories at Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) competitions.
“Memorable moments as a teacher keep happening," he explained.
"I love hearing about where previous students are now and how they have made it in their own way."
De Oliveria is humbled to be recognized as an inspirational role model in the community.
“I just want them (the students) to appreciate the time that we spent together no matter if it is on the field, in the classroom or in the hallways,” he shared.
If there’s one thing he likes to emphasize most to his students, it’s not to settle.
“I always tell students that thinking inside the box makes you replaceable,” he advised, noting that students should figure out what they are good at and put their own 'spin on it' to make themselves standout.
De Oliveria would describe himself as alive, colourful, and in-motion, when teaching in the classroom, admitting he can't sit at a desk, and is constantly moving around the room, with his cart in tow.
“I also think that there are as many lessons taught on the field or in the gym as there in the classroom. The playing field is all about life lessons and leaving your comfort zone,” he explained.
When asked what is the best piece of advice he could give to not only students, but parents as well, he had a few things to note.
First, “Everyone finds their own way at their own pace. Not everyone will have the same strengths or abilities but we will all be able to succeed and do well just in our own way and at our own speed,” and secondly, “Take time to communicate with the youth, they have as much to learn from you as we have to learn from them.”
Over the month of January, BradfordToday highlighted some of the amazing teachers in our town. Thank you for all those who submitted nominations.
