Nadine Armbruster

Originally from Lively, Ontario, she is described as loyal, trustworthy, and funny, and she is quick to build connections with the people that she meets. YMM: What is the most rewarding part of your career? NA: The connections I make with the teenagers are unparalleled. When the general public sees teenagers as punks and troublemakers, but they let you see their vulnerable side, and they trust you and your methods, as odd as they may be, to teach them…there is nothing better than that feeling. YMM: What motivates you? NA: I am motivated by justice, the actual system of making sure everyone has equal opportunities in every situation. I love seeing the underdog win, or the one who is silent in the corner become the leader of the group. YMM: What is the biggest risk that you have ever taken? NA: When I moved to Fort McMurray. I came out here in 2004 on my own and stayed on a blow-up mattress in a living room for a month before I found a basement apartment. I was terrified, I knew no one besides my cousin and her family, and was a brand-new teacher. Eighteen years later, I am confident that I made the right choice and that I belong in this community. YMM: What is the biggest challenge you’ve taken on this year? NA: This year I am challenging myself to become more involved with football, joining the Fort McMurray Ravens Football Association as the registrar on the board of directors. It has been a huge learning curve for me as I have never played or been involved with football in the past. I volunteered to help the manager so that I could learn at the field level what is involved with the sport as well as the players themselves. YMM: What keeps you in Fort McMurray? NA: We have it so good here in Fort McMurray to raise a family. Having all of the trails, the nature, the opportunities to keep busy. Mac Island is particularly amazing.  Whenever I leave town for a while, I truly miss the big skies of Fort McMurray.  The Northern Lights with the reds, purples, and pinks are awesome (in the literal sense). That feeling you get when you return home and drive down the hill toward downtown, you know you are home. YMM: Describe your perfect day in Fort McMurray. NA: My perfect day is waking up without an alarm, having a laid-back day with my boys, enjoying the beauty of our city, maybe at Mac Island enjoying the pool, hot tub, and steam room, or taking our pups for a walk on the trails enjoying the beauty of nature. My day would be relaxing and might end with a fire and friends. YMM: What does community mean to you? NA: Community is where your heart is. It is the place you chose to make your home. It is also what you make it; you will find what you look for in any town, both good and bad. Community is where you see and find the most good. YMM: Who is your hero, and why? NA: My “realistic” hero is my mother. She has become the person I aim to be. She is strong, wise, confident and always has the capability to help others when they need it. I describe her as a true “mommy”. My “unrealistic” hero is Wonder Woman. She is the epitome of a strong leader throughout times when women weren’t necessarily allowed to lead. She is a strong, beautiful woman who stands up for others and never allows others to keep her down. I have a whole shelf in my classroom devoted to her with various items.