amber kanwar, director, development
Why did you join redseven?
Every math lesson with my father ended with me bursting into tears. Whenever I couldn’t solve a problem I’d ask my dad for help. But, instead of helping me solve the problem, he would take my book, turn it to page one and say, “If you don’t understand the fundamentals, you will never be able to solve the problem.”
It took me years to understand the real lesson he was trying to teach me. At the time, I just wanted to know how to solve that one problem. But he was trying to give me the tools to solve every problem.
I joined redseven to teach this lesson to those who would otherwise not have the chance to learn it. To me, redseven is about giving people the opportunity to learn the fundamentals so that they can go on to solve their problems in the now and beyond.
When you are not volunteering…
I am a journalist and work at the Business News Network.
What do you do for redseven?
Director of Development.
Who is your favourite teacher and why?
My fifth grade teacher Mr. MacDonald had a reputation as the strictest teacher at school. Tears were a frequent occurrence in his classes as he would point to a distracted student and loudly bellow “Your problem is what?” forcing them to recoil red-faced in embarrassment. But despite the fact that he handed out detentions like it was a fire sale, he also inspired you to do your best work. He encouraged you to earn top marks, he praised you when you did well and he helped you when you needed it. He brought out the best in me and made me strive for excellence. He instilled a work ethic in me that I still carry today. For that, I am ever grateful.
What’s your favourite YouTube video?