Faculty Profile - Christian Madarasz

I started my career as a junior accountant. During my free time, I would attend karate classes and, as I progressed through the karate grades, I began to instruct students. I would have parents come up to me stating how good I was with the young karate students. I loved teaching them and it showed. In the 1990s, I lost my job as an accountant and promptly decided to go back to university to become a teacher. I spent my time teaching all grade levels from kindergarten to high school. I have spent the last 15 years of my career teaching in post-secondary at North Island College.  

As an educator, I am committed to fostering an environment where students thrive, not just academically, but as lifelong learners. Here are the core tenets that guide my teaching: 

1. Accountability and Ownership: 

• I empower my students to take ownership of their learning journey. Learning is a collaborative effort, and I believe that when students actively engage, they become architects of their own knowledge. 
• By encouraging them to set goals, reflect, and assess their progress, I instill a sense of accountability. Learning is not a passive process; it requires active participation. 

2. Process Over Assessments: 

• While assessments have their place, I emphasize the process of learning. It’s not just about acing exams; it’s about understanding concepts deeply, asking questions, and connecting ideas; it’s about overcoming challenges, big or small!  In fact, there is a lot of learning that comes from experiencing failure or difficulty! 
• I encourage students to focus on the journey—the exploration, the struggle, and the growth—rather than fixating solely on grades. 
• Whether it’s mastering a skill, completing a project, or simply persevering, their success fuels my passion for teaching. 

3. The Joy of Understanding: 

• There’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing that spark of comprehension in a student’s eyes. When they grasp a complex concept or connect the dots, it’s magical. 
• I celebrate these moments—the “aha!” instances—as they signify true understanding and intellectual growth. 

4. Education as a Journey: 

• Education is not a destination; it’s a lifelong journey. Each class, each lesson, each interaction contributes to this voyage. 
• I use my martial arts philosophy in my teaching – in the style of karate that I have a black belt in, I have come to learn that learning is continuous. Achieving a Black Belt is not an end result – it is the beginning of further understanding.  
• Just as a traveler takes one step at a time, my students progress incrementally. Every insight gained, every hurdle overcome—we move forward together. 

5. Lifelong Learning: 

• Finally, I embody the spirit of lifelong learning. Teaching isn’t static; it evolves with new ideas, technologies, and perspectives. 
• I encourage my students to embrace curiosity beyond the classroom—to read, explore, and seek knowledge throughout their lives. 

In summary, my teaching philosophy is rooted in nurturing curious minds, fostering resilience, and celebrating growth. Together, we embark on an educational odyssey—one step at a time.