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A city of choices

Charlie Grove What drew you to teaching? I’ve always taught in the area of special needs. I worked around a mental institution in Alberta when I was in high school and I couldn’t believe how these people were treated.
Prince George Citizen Staff
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Charlie Grove

What drew you to teaching?

I’ve always taught in the area of special needs. I worked around a mental institution in Alberta when I was in high school and I couldn’t believe how these people were treated. I had always been curious about this segment of society; it was an area where I had a lot to learn. I still work with families on a regular basis. As a teacher, it is such a privilege to be involved with students after they graduate.

What does a day in your life look like?

I’ll wake up at 4 am and start a loaf of bread... I’ll put it outside and let it rise slowly. I usually run up to the Northern Sport Centre (#11) so I’m up there around 5:30. On weekdays I’ll do a fitness class - the instruction is really good!

I usually ski, skate or run in the afternoon: the outdoor oval (#169) is awesome, Otway (#228) is very nice, and I like the snowshoe trails along the blue spruce behind UNBC (#362). You can run for hours there, right in the middle of this gorgeous forest.

What is the best feeling?

A surprise! Seeing a friend I haven’t seen for a long time. Or times when I’m out running alone, I’ll just stop and realize that I’m in a very special place. The most prevalent feeling I have is gratitude and appreciation - to have health and time. The healthier you are, the more choices you have. I find it important to stop and give thanks, to just be aware of the small things to appreciate that day.

What do you enjoy most about Prince George?

I’ve always called PG the city of choices. I can be skiing at Otway at 6 o’clock and 45 minutes later my wife and I can be listening to the wonderful symphony (#310) or watching live theatre (#192) - the transition time in here is a real gift.

Prince George is a great place to bring up a family. There’s such a connection between people. Other cities are great city for volunteering - but Prince George is great for initiating. If you want to create a symphony, you do it. If you want to make an underwater hockey team, you go and create it yourself. That’s what happened with the university too. We start things here.