2006 District 11 Retirees

Harvey Barkauskas - Thames Secondary School

Since my introduction to Special Education in 1976, I have taught at Stratford Northwestern, Mitchell District, Sutton Schools (Hardy Geddes) and finally Thames Secondary. My subject areas were concentrated in Physical Education and Science.

Coaching played an important role in my life during these past 30 years. My coaching spanned many different sports which included Jr./Sr. Football, Wrestling, Volleyball, Track & Field, Olympic Weightlifting and I even managed to introduce a unit in my physical education class dealing with the Scottish Heavy Events.

My fondest memories revolved around the success of the many athletes I coached and mentored. I am still involved in coaching at both the club and high school level.

My involvement with OSSTF included being branch president at Thames (4 years), and member & president of the Health & Safety Committee (4years). I found both experiences challenging and rewarding.

Teaching was not only intrinsically fulfilling but over the last 26 years it has allowed me to pursue my successful athletic career in the Scottish Heavy Events.

It’s ironic - retirement implies rest and relaxation, and unfortunately I’m not experiencing either. It seems I have more on the go than when I was teaching, but there is a big difference- I do not have to adhere to a DEADLINE. I am no longer a slave to time. Eventually, it will get done!

If I were to give any advice to new teachers coming into the business, it would be to maintain a sense of humour, get involved with your students and don’t be afraid to share personal experiences with them.

Jill Barker - South Secondary School

Jill Barker, South’s Chemistry teacher extraordinaire, graduated from the Ontario College of Education at the University of Toronto in 1969. She first taught at Cedarbrae College in Scarborough and was the only woman in the Science Department. (Thank God times have changed!) The year her husband was transferred to London, there were zero Science hires here - so off to Western from September 1971 until June 1975 as a Lecturer in the Chemistry Department. It was at Western that Jill helped hundreds of students during her office hours to understand the complexities of her subject.

Over the next two years came Jill’s own children: son Kevin and a surprise package, twins, a boy (Scott) and a girl (Sarah). A busy family of three, a little bit of lecturing at Western and supplying for the former London Board kept Jill occupied for the next fifteen years.

Jill came back to teaching full time at the G.A. Wheable Centre for Adult Education in 1990. This was a nice transition from the young adults of Western to the older adults of Wheable. Jill continued to inspire her students, winning the Teacher Excellence Award twice while there.

Finally, the greatest transition of all: from adults back to adolescents. In September of 1996, Jill came to South and completed her career circle right back where she started - working in a regular high school. Her department head at South, Randy Trudeau, said that Jill sees ten students for every one that he sees for special individual help. She has been a great mentor to staff as well.

Jill has been able to balance parenthood and job duties remarkably well. She would never state it publicly but attending her daughter Sarah’s doctoral presentation at John Hopkins this year was definitely one of the high points in her life. Her boys, Scott the architect and Kevin the machinist, are also a credit to their Mother’s nurturing care and support.

During retirement, Jill will probably spend more time with her husband Wayne at her cottage on Six Mile Lake and continue to hone her skills at kayaking.

Paul Barker - Clarke Road Secondary School

I have been teaching for thirty-two years at seven different high schools in six different school boards. I started teaching in Oakville but after two years moved to Espanola, Ontario. In 1980, my wife Brenda brought home an advertisement looking for teachers in Papua, New Guinea. Being young and adventurous, we packed up the family and moved to this fascinating country for three years where we both taught a variety of subjects at two different schools. It also gave us the opportunity to travel in parts of the world which we would probably have never seen. From Papua, New Guinea, we moved to London where I had the opportunity to teach adult students at Wheable before moving to Clarke Road Secondary School and taking on the Headship in Science.

During my time in London, I have been actively involved with OSSTF both at the school and District levels. I have served as the Benefits Information Officer for the District and have been on the Health and Safety Committee at the school level.

As for the future, Brenda and I plan to keep busy on our hobby farm and cottage on the French River. I have always wanted to canoe and fish in the early spring and fall. We are also considering the many opportunities to teach outside of Canada. Although I will miss the students and the fellowship, I am looking forward to the future.

Carol Barrett - Continuing Education Instructors

I arrived in Canada in 1984 with the intention of giving up teaching and working with my new husband in his new business. As a matter of fact, when I arrived, I had a job in retail so that we could supplement his business.

It didn’t take me long to realize I was a teacher at heart and was lost without it as a profession. A family friend, who was tutoring for Mary Oliver, suggested I give her a call and I volunteered for less than a year before realizing that I actually wanted to teach. However, after identifying what I wanted, finding a place to put myself was yet another problem. I had a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master in Education specializing in Reading. I had spent only one year in a classroom and had spent the last ten years taking children who were six months to two years behind level out of the classroom and working individually with them to bring them up to grade level. This was a federally funded program in the U.S.

Again, Mary to the rescue. I was offered a staff position with her organization. That same year, what was then a volunteer organization joined the London Board of Education (later to become the Thames Valley District School Board).

That was twenty-two years ago. I will become a citizen June 12th. Working with Literacy Basic Skills/Adult Basic Education has truly made me feel a part of Canada and has enabled me to feel that I have contributed to this country. I will always be indebted to the program for making me feel at home.

My plans for retirement have not changed my basic philosophy. I hope to continue to enjoy life and contribute my time and talents in whatever ways possible.

Nancy Bartholomew - Strathroy District COllegiate Institute

In, 1974, I went to Strathroy D.C.I. as a student teacher for one of my guidance practicums. That experience led to a full-time job at SDCI the following September in English and Guidance. What I thought would be a one year position became a thirty-one year career - all at the home of the Saints.

For the first twelve years, I taught English and also filled the role of the token female in the guidance department. I moved into the department fulltime in 1987 and for the next few years taught Careers and continued with my counselling responsibilities. For the last ten and a half years, I have been the head of Guidance. The only time I changed schools occurred only because the actual school moved!

Thirty-one years at one school has given me lots of opportunity to become involved. Over the years, I coached, was the yearbook advisor, served on numerous committees, helped with school shows, supervised band trips and was even an alternate councillor for OSSTF before amalgamation.

Thirty-one years at one school also makes it difficult to leave without a lot of mixed feelings. I’m really looking forward to what the next stage of my life has to offer, including golf and travel once my husband Len retires, but will genuinely miss the relationships that I have made at SDCI. It is truly a great school and I feel honoured that I was able to spend my entire career there. I welcome the young, energetic and positive new teachers to the profession and hope that they will find the same reward and fulfilment in their career choice as I have.

Benson Bebee - Westminster Secondary School

After high school in Port Hope, Ontario I joined the Canadian Army on the 4th of July, 1957 and served until 1968 with the Royal Canadian Artillery. In 1968, I began attending the University of Calgary and graduated with a B.A. Degree in History. I also attended The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, where after completing the four year course requirements, I was granted the Journeyman Carpenters Certificate. I attended the University of Western Ontario and completed the M.Ed. program in 1986.

In September, 1973, Marilyn and I moved to London where I attended the University of Western Ontario and completed the B.Ed. program.

I began my teaching career in Chatham, Ontario in 1974 and transferred to London in 1978. The schools in which I taught were as follows: Saunders S.S., Beal S.S., Thames S.S., Forest City S.S., Sutton Schools, (Youth Detention Center) and lastly at Westminster S.S. in 1985.

I am married to the former Marilyn Wright who is a Registered Nurse. Our family includes three children: two sons, one a Doctor and one a Policeman, and our daughter, a High School French teacher. All are now married. We have three grand children.

Since retirement I have served as the District Commissioner for St. John Ambulance and as the Master of my Masonic Lodge.

Margaret Blackie - H.B. Beal Secondary School

I began teaching in the Bealart program at Beal in 1985 after taking a hiatus of eight years to raise children. Actually, my teaching career began in 1972, back when Saunders was a new school. It has been exciting to teach Art History within such a large and vibrant Art department and especially within a school that has a long and illustrious past. I have always been very proud of the heritage of Bealart within the London Art scene and the tradition of excellence that has been an on-going part of the Board. It was sad to see the Art Annex go but nonetheless encouraging that we survived as a department in the basement—not only survived, but continued our high standards as seen in the Yearend Show.

While no doubt Art History is not the primary focus of many Art students at Beal, each year some do pursue this avenue at university and beyond. That is gratifying to see. This area of study has given a context for art production and it has been wonderful to see students come alive when actually seeing art in diverse places such as Rome, Florence or even Detroit.

I can honestly say that these past twenty-one years have been great. I currently look forward to some travel, some reading, and some loafing around at the cottage with no deadlines whatsoever.

Besides thanking the Art department members for their support, I would also like to acknowledge the support of my husband, Murray, and my three sons ages twenty-eight down to twenty-three. All three are still in school (two thankfully have graduate stipends) which might mean that I will return to supply teach in the near future.

Thank you, Beal and Thames Valley DSB.

Alison Buchanan - H.B. Beal Secondary School

After graduating from Western and Althouse College in English and Dramatic Arts, I began my teaching career 31 years ago at South Huron District High School in Exeter. My second year found me in Petrolia at Lambton Central Collegiate and Vocational Institute where I continued to teach English and Drama. Yet another move brought me back to London and one semester at Saunders and one at Clarke Road. Then it was off to Sir Wilfrid Laurier where I remained for eleven years until I took a self-funded leave in 1989-90. Following my leave, during which time I worked for Althouse College on a part-time basis, I asked to come to Beal where I have remained for the duration of my career. I began in the English Department and moved to the Guidance Department in 1994. I was appointed Department Head in 2000.

I have enjoyed the opportunity for change in my career, both as it pertains to venue and to subject area. I have met some wonderful people in teaching, including those who sat in front of me and those who stood beside me. The camaraderie and the laughter have sustained me.

As far as the future is concerned, I look forward to spending more time with those I love and to working my way through my “The First Hundred Things I Want to Do When I Retire” list. I hope to begin with “Improve my Golf Game” because that goal should be readily attainable!

Scott Clark - Central Secondary School

Scott is the devoted husband of Cathy, and father of daughter Debbie and son Bryan.

Scott began his teaching career immediately following his graduation from Althouse College in 1976 with an L.T.O. assignment teaching Secondary and Elementary strings at Strathroy District Collegiate Institute. The following year he accepted a split assignment teaching winds and percussion with mornings at Thamesford Public School and afternoons at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute.

In 1977, he moved into London and began his twenty-five year tenure at Montcalm Secondary School. While at Montcalm he became very active as a representative for the Music Subject Group with many years as chair of the group and its representative on curriculum writing teams and in professional development. During the “Mike Harris” years, he was actively involved as a Music Representative on the Federation Advisory Committee. He also maintained a busy performance schedule with the Concert Players Orchestra and a limited duties appointment to the Faculty of Music, U.W.O., where he was director of the Symphonic Band, rising to the rank of Assistant Professor. In addition, he has adjudicated music festivals throughout Ontario and has taught at summer music camps in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland, London, Peterborough, and Kincardine.

The past four years have found Scott teaching at London Central Secondary School, where he has focused on developing the Junior and Intermediate wind program and teaching Grade 10 strings with the “string teacher of the year”. In addition, he has introduced both a Concert Choir and a Madrigal Choir to the school.

Beginning in July, Scott and his wife Cathy, who is also retiring this year, have accepted positions teaching Music at the Christopher Columbus School in Medellin, Colombia. They are looking forward to the new challenges and the exciting opportunities that await them in the International setting.

Alice Colton - W.D. Sutton School

Alice Colton began her career in Bruce County, teaching Physical Education in a small school of 400. She spent sixteen years on yellow school buses, and to this day can fall asleep anytime she is sitting in a chair, no matter the comfort level. This tends to happen mainly in meetings involving guest speakers or those who think they are.

Besides teaching full-time and coaching, Alice actively worked for the OSSTF beginning in her second year of teaching. During her time in Bruce County, she held every position from Branch President to District President. Since joining the former London Board, she has served on District Executive. She has also been a regular member of the AMPA Delegation for three Districts (Bruce County, London, and Thames Valley). Her favourite role has been as Branch President of the W.D. Sutton School which has THE most loyal, supportive group of people in Thames Valley. Their unquestioned support has been a gift that has been deeply appreciated.

There have been many good memories: winning teams, picket lines, medals, plaques, and being known simply as “Coach”. The people that she had the pleasure of working with (students and colleagues), though, are what she will always cherish. Although Alice will continue to be actively involved with OSSTF through ARM, she will be looking for employment opportunities in areas other than teaching. She will begin studies at Western in the Fall, working towards a postgraduate degree in Philosophy. Alice also intends to explore Canada and visit Ireland and the Ukraine. In the meantime, the sign on her classroom door will read, “Gone Fishing”.

Sharon Driscoll - W.D. Sutton School

Sharon spent her TVDSB career with adolescents who, for one reason or another were temporarily unable to live at home or attend regular school. These adolescents were homesick, usually troubled and often had long-term negative attitudes towards teachers and school. Almost all were part of the “sad, mad, bad” cycle that Sutton teachers know so well.

Sharon was invigorated by the challenge of “winning these students over” and finding the hook that would enable them to return to regular education with new motivation. During a strike that closed her agency and therefore her classroom, she was temporarily assigned to a regular secondary school. She enjoyed the change but observed: “You ask these kids to do something and they do it! What’s the fun here?”

Sharon appreciated the fellowship of Sutton colleagues, the support of agency staff at Hardy Geddes House and Regional Mental Health Care London but especially the hope, warmth and perseverance of her students.

Steve Elefteros - Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School

After graduating from the PEMSTEP program of Althouse College in the spring of 1975, I began teaching at St. Patrick's High School in Sarnia, Ontario, where I taught grades eleven and thirteen Physics. I was involved in many extracurricular activities - mostly in sports - and coached senior boys’ soccer to two Lambton county Championships. After seven years with the Lambton County Catholic School board, I moved to Laurier Secondary School in the Science department teaching Physics and General Science. After three years at Laurier, I moved to Lucas and returned to Laurier again after one year. This is where I stayed for the rest of my teaching career. During my time at Laurier, I taught Science, Physics, Mathematics, and Science Co-op.

My extracurricular involvement was mostly in sports, travelling club, multicultural club, and various Science activities including Science Olympics. I coached the Laurier senior boys’ soccer team for fifteen years, winning the city championship once and getting into the city finals a couple of times.

My plans for the future include more time for travelling in the South Eastern Mediterranean, and organizing tours in this part of the world.

During my teaching career, I had the honour and the pleasure to meet and work with some top quality teachers whom I admired and respected greatly. These are the people who provide all the strength and the structural support of our educational system.

My advice to the new teachers is: To be professionals every day and to always remember that teaching can be fun.

Ken Fleet - Medway High School

I was hired in September, 1976 by the former Middlesex County Board of Education to teach at Medway High School. During the past thirty years I have taught over two hundred students each year. During the past ten years I have had the added privilege of teaching a second generation of students whose mother and/or father endured my classes. I am also fortunate to have been on staff and taught with some truly outstanding educators. After thirty years, I still feel that I have learned far more from my students and colleagues than they ever learned from me.

Mike Frauts - H.B. Beal Secondary School

Mike completes his cyclical career in teaching at Beal as Head of Special Education. He began teaching English at Beal in1972 on a continuing occasional basis, was hired full time at Saunders and spent eight very enjoyable years in the then newest facility teaching English and Theater Arts– yes Theater! He then returned to the flagship school, taught English for ten years as a D.A., before embarking into a challenging but rewarding tenure of sixteen years in Special Education. Having spent more than a quarter of century at the place he affectionately calls the Zoo, he has experienced many modifications in educational practice and dogma from ‘benchmarks’ to ‘rubrics’ to other fleeting buzz-words, as often dictated by government whim or mythology. Yet, none of these changes has ever impacted his steadfast belief “that school is for kids”.

Through his thirty-four year educational career, Mike has coached more than fifty seasons of football, hockey and rugby and was recognized with the “OFSAA Award For Leadership In Sport” in 2004. However, the personal recognition he treasures the most also occurred in 2004, when Mike won the Thames Valley Award of Distinction, after being nominated and endorsed by his educational peers.

“Teaching has not only afforded me a wonderful experience but also has given me purpose and identity, that no other career could. I shall forever smile when I recall that Bealese refrain, “ I go Beeol”.

David Harvey - Huron Park Secondary School

David started teaching History in Oxford County at College Avenue Secondary School and quickly got involved in school and professional pursuits that have marked the thirty-three years he has spent in education. He coached the football teams, both Crusaders and Knights, wrote curriculum for the Oxford Board and joined the OSSTF’s “Conditions of Work and Quality Education Committee” (CWQE) writing contract language for the Collective Bargaining Committee. David was elected to the CBC and fondly remembers negotiating as Co-chief Negotiator for District 46. In particular, he remembers the “famous” one day strike in 1982, that was “strangled in the cradle” by the implementation of provincial “wage and price” control legislation.

In pursuit of History Headships, David took his “show on tour” for awhile, teaching in three schools over four years. At Huron Park S.S., as acting Head of History, he lead the History Writing Team for Oxford and became the United Nations club advisor. At Norwich, as acting Head of History, he coached track and field, became the staff advisor for the United Nations club and continued to work as Political Action Representative for OSSTF. He remembers hosting a UN Assembly with 303 students, placing Norwich second in Ontario in terms of size, and, with George Ignatieff as guest speaker, presenting a first quality event.

On his return to Huron Park S.S., he continued to work on curriculum and became the county’s representative to the Ontario History Consultants Association and a Ministry of Education trainer for History curriculum. He served for nine years as the Chair of the History Subject Association and in the last two years has returned to that position as Co-chair for TVDSB. As Branch President, David helped lead the protest to Hamilton against changes to teachers’ pensions. David has been the staff advisor for the United Nations Club at HPSS since 1985 and points to highlights which show great growth under TVDSB and which that now include twenty high schools, and to Assemblies with guest speakers and participants like the Honourable Maria Minna, David Phillips, Canada’s chief meteorologist, and Tom Cochrane. At Huron Park S.S., David has been instrumental in the establishment of the “Pride, Respect and Responsibility” initiative since its inception in 1995, the School Improvement project, Remembrance Day assemblies involving the Holocaust Centre as well as the Canadian Armed Forces, the Arbor Day Award for the school, and many others.

David points out that his greatest sense of pride comes with the growth and success he has been able to observe and promote, even in a small way, with his students, staff and school. He is a tireless worker and respected leader, and is fond of quoting the unofficial motto for his Department as “go big, or go home”, and after thirty-three years, he has now gone home!

Lorraine Jardine - Strathroy District Secondary School

After graduating from UWO, my husband’s job took us to the United States where I first completed my teaching certification and then taught English in Greendale, Wisconsin. This was during the civil rights movement and I initiated a pen-pal program between my white senior class in the suburbs and its black counter part at an inner city school. When we decided to meet, the front page of the Milwaukee Sentinel featured our peaceful exchange as a breakthrough in racial tensions. Quite an exciting time!

While we were raising our two sons, we lived in Toledo, Baltimore, London, and Brantford, where I re-entered teaching at North Park Collegiate. There I taught English, History and Business. Returning to London yet again, I taught English and History at Lord Dorchester, and now have taught English at Strathroy for the past twelve years. I have enjoyed the learning and the creativity of engaging students and helping them achieve their potential. It has been a privilege to have worked with other staff and teachers whose goals were the same.

Now I look forward to substitute teaching which allows greater flexibility for my husband and I to visit our grandchildren in Colorado, to ski, to golf and to travel.

Carol Leslie - Continuing Education Instructors

I grew up in, Banff Alberta, and then moved to Calgary to take post secondary education. However, the lure of the east had me moving to Montreal in 1967 to enjoy Expo. In Montreal, I attended what was then Sir George Williams University. Finishing my year at university and discovering that my French was not the best, I went to work as a computer programmer with Air Canada at Dorval Airport. The FLQ made life interesting - especially while working at the airport - and I decided that it was time we moved out of Quebec.

Toronto was my next stop and it was there that I went into teaching in 1969. I started off teaching in the east end of Toronto for the Toronto Board of Education in grades four and five and I really enjoyed it. In 1980, I went to teach at Greenwood School, which was my introduction to ESL as Greenwood taught English in all subject areas for new Canadian students from the ages of twelve to twenty. After leaving Greenwood, I went to teach for Etobicoke Board and started teaching adult ESL at various schools offering an adult day program.

In 1998, my younger daughter, Miriam, and I left Toronto and came to London. My older daughter was at that time attending university in Spain. I joined the Thames Valley District School Board in the Adult English as a Second Language program. And all of a sudden, the years have gone past and here I am looking at a new phase of my life and I am not sure what will happen, but I do plan to enjoy it.

Patricia Martyn - Central Elgin Collegiate Institute

When asked to say a few words about Pat Martyn, the current Head of Special Education at Central Elgin, staff and students responded with statements like: “Really tough, but I like her a lot.”, “Runs her class with an iron hand and a warm heart.” and “Pat doesn’t just teach kids; she raises them.” This is well-earned praise for a woman who has committed over thirty years to exemplary educational service.

Pat first began teaching English at Central Elgin sometime “back in the 60's”. Pat had to put her career on pause once her son George was born, and then again when her two daughters - Sarah and Regina arrived. When Pat resumed her teaching career, it was in St. Thomas at Alma College, a private school for girls where Pat taught English and English as a Second Language to a generation of young women.

Pat has always been a strong advocate for her students and for her colleagues, but it was at Alma College where this educational activism was put to the test. Fighting to gain equity to ensure the quality of education at Alma, Pat, as the school organizer and negotiator for OSSTF, led a strike in February of 1988. Unfortunately, a settlement between the teachers and the board could not be reached, and the board of management decided to close the doors of Alma College, a move, which despite Pat’s and OSSTF’s best efforts, proved to be permanent.

In January of 1989, Pat found herself back at Central Elgin teaching English. In a sense, her career had taken a full circle, but this time, she had the added responsibility of establishing a special education department. Under her direction, it has become an essential learning and emotional support for countless exceptional students. Still, Pat was always driven to do more, and as was the case at Alma College, Pat extended her educational advocacy beyond the classroom door and into the OSSTF fold. During her tenure at Central, Pat acted as Branch President, as the OSSTF Status of Women representative for Elgin County, as a Status of Women Provincial Committee member from 1992-1998, and as the Chairperson of the OSSTF Provincial Status of Women Committee from 1995-1998. In short, throughout her teaching and federation career, Pat has found herself “on the line” three times because she has always, in her words, “loved a good fight” whenever the principles of equity, for teachers or students, or the quality of education, needed defending.

Pat owns a t-shirt that reads on the front “A Woman’s Place is in...” and on the back finishes, “HER UNION.” She likes to wear this shirt whenever she is about to fight the treadmill during her after school workout. Perhaps the machine and its tireless pace reminds Pat of the countless hours spent on the sidewalks, picket in hand, or perhaps the shirt is simply a reminder to Pat and to all of us that we should always work towards advancing a cause. Whatever the case, Pat will be remembered for her exemplary service to OSSTF and to the several generations of students she taught so well.

Larry McClinchey - Medway High School

Larry McClinchey is above all a gentleman. He began his teaching career in 1981 after having worked as a licensed mechanic at a Chev-Olds dealer for fifteen years. He was interviewed for Althouse on April 1, 1980 and was awarded the Congeniality Award upon completion of his Teachers’ College year. That award clinched his first job at Strathroy District Collegiate Institute. After his first year at Strathroy, he was transferred to Lord Dorchester where he taught Co-op Education, Auto and Welding for the next thirteen years. He completed his university degree, ministry courses, Honours Tech Specialist, Guidance and Co-op Specialist over the next several years while continuing to work and while raising a family. Larry completed his final eleven years teaching as the Tech Ed. Department Head at Medway High School, sharing his time between the Technical and Co-op Education departments.

Noteworthy highlights of his career include the three provincial Ford/CAA competitions in which his senior students successfully competed against the top ten teams from across the province. As well, the many years he spent in Co-operative Education, both as a classroom teacher and as a Subject Council Executive Representative are memorable. The years spent on the Professional Development committee were very rewarding as well. Also, Larry is a long-serving member of, and inspector with, the TVDSB Teaching Joint Health & Safety Committee.

Larry is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, three married children and his two grandsons. As well, after twenty-three years as a scout leader, he will continue as a scouter and will finally be able to attend camps which conflicted with his teaching commitments.

Larry recommends new teachers get involved, accept new challenges and treat their students and peers the way they would like to be treated.

David McKelvey - Central Secondary School

After graduating from Ryerson in Architecture and the University of Manitoba in Environmental Studies, I spent three years trying to save the world with architects and developers. I realized that if I was to have any influence on the environment, I would need to recruit a more dedicated army so I headed for FEUT.

I began a career of working at “Centrals”: Central Elgin, Central Tech (Toronto) and London Central. I taught History and Technological Design. I explored the notion of “shelter”, from the homeless to the hostile environment of the moon. I also did umpteen years of Yearbooks. In return, the kids taught me about human nature - the very worst of it, and the very best.

A highlight was the acceptance of one of my students into architecture at MIT. My most memorable year was teaching in England on exchange.

What’s next? The exhibit “Massive Change” at the AGO last year influenced me tremendously. I have the rest of my life to answer the exhibit’s question: “Now that we can do anything, what will we do?” Of course, there are other alternatives. As one of my students said, “You probably just want to go home and get your hair spiked.”

Rena McLean - H.B. Beal Secondary School

Rena began her teaching career in North York in 1968 teaching grades four and five. After moving to South Western Ontario and spending 10 years at home raising her three children, she eventually moved to London and began teaching Adult ESL for the London Board (with brief stints at Fanshawe College in the ESL Program and at UWO in the intensive ESL Summer Program).

After directing the Board’s Adult ESL Program at Empress School, Rena moved to the Wheable Adult Learning Centre where some of her responsibilities as part of the Student Services Department were to run information sessions for new applicants and to test ESL students for appropriate placement.

During this time she was also a student herself, completing the degree which she had begun in the mid-sixties.

With the downsizing of the Adult Learning Centre, Rena was placed at H.B. Beal Secondary School where she spent some time with the Resource Department before working again in Student Services. During the renovations at Beal, Rena moved again to Sir George Ross in a whole new field - Behaviour Resource. In the past few years she was back again at Beal, this time split between the ESL and Student Services Departments.

Retirement opens up all kinds of time for the things she likes to do...gardening, painting, travelling, spending time with family and friends. As she says, “Life is good.”

Ed Monteith - Parkside Collegiate Institute

“Freedom 54"!!

My teaching career - thirty-one years at one school - began in 1975. Assigned to teach Junior Science and Mathematics was not my ultimate choice but jobs were not plentiful and I was happy to be at Parkside Collegiate. My degree in Physical Education was put to good use, however, in coaching which proved to be the joy of my life. From volleyball to hockey to gymnastics and finally to track and field, my first year was a whirlwind. Unfortunately, most of the time was spent learning curriculum not familiar to me.

In 1980, I began teaching Phys. Ed. and Biology and continued to do so for another twenty years. The past six years my teaching has taken me to mainly Senior Biology and Chemistry which both have been very enjoyable and rewarding.

Without a doubt, my most cherished memories have resulted from coaching student athletics. Unfortunately, two strikes and a work to rule campaign most definitely created “hurdles not forgotten”. Thirty years coaching football and twenty-six coaching track and field made my Falls and Springs fly by with enjoyment. Five Conference Football Championships and hundreds of friendships still shared today with players from four different decades will always be cherished. My fondest and proudest coaching moment, however, occurred in Sudbury at the OFSAA Track and Field Championships when an extremely ill athlete crawled out of bed to run in a relay so as not to let the other three members of his team down. They finished fourth, but the points from the race were enough to propel the entire team of Senior athletes to the OFSAA Provincial Team Championship.

Freedom 54??? - only from the government and administrative red tape but never from the “Kids”!! Kids make teaching the most rewarding profession possible. That’s why I am and always will be proud to be called a “teacher”.

Denise Moreland - Westminster Secondary School

“The greatest reward of my teaching career has been the variety – the variety in the age groups and the courses I have taught.”

Denise started her teaching career at South where she taught English and History. She took several years off as a stay-at-home Mom to her two sons, unknowingly forfeiting her gratuity. During this time, she completed computer and data processing courses. She implemented computer courses for grades 1 to 8 at a private school on a part-time basis. Returning to the former London Board, she joined the Business Department at the Wheable Centre for Adult Education from1987-96. She values the on-going social times with the “Wheable Pioneers”.

In 1996, Denise moved to the Business Department at Westminster. Eventually, she was asked to join the Resource Department to work with Special Education students. Denise added Special Education to her qualifications upon becoming a full-time Resource teacher.

Over the years, Denise assisted in coaching, participated in several Board initiatives for reading and literacy, was on the evaluation team for the GLE course, served on numerous school committees and as Vice-President of Westminster’s OSSTF.

Thoughts:
1. Change is good.
2. Every teacher should take Special Education, Part I.

“Anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference has never been in bed with a mosquito."

Romola Morgan - Huron Park Secondary School

Rom started her career in 1975 with the Oxford County Board of Education. She taught a primary class for students with generalized learning disabilities. Then she worked out of the Board Office providing speech, language and academic assessments to four schools.

After sixteen years in elementary, Rom transferred to I.D.C.I. to find out what Special Education was like at the secondary level. She loved it and has taught in high school ever since. She ran the Tillsonburg Alternative School and when it closed she came to Huron Park as an English teacher. The following year, Rom was appointed Head of Special Education.

Rom’s career highlight was her decision to move to secondary. Fondest memories include the canoe trip to Killarney and Easter Weekend in Las Vegas with the Special Education Department. She also remembers fondly some of the “special” students that she helped to graduate.

Future plans include moving to British Columbia, taking up kayaking, and renewing her love of skiing and travelling. Rom plans on going to Africa next February to spend time with her son.

Her advice for teachers is to be sure and have a chuckle every day. Kids are funny. Enjoy them!

Berta Prelaz - West Elgin Secondary School

I started my career at West Elgin as an Althouse PEMSTEP student in 1979 and began teaching physical education and business at WESS in September, 1980. I moved into Co-operative Education in 1988 and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of nurturing my students and forming relationships with hundreds of business owners and managers. In my earlier years I coached basketball, volleyball and field hockey.

My most cherished memory is taking our field hockey team to Ottawa for OFSAA. We were ranked last as no one had ever heard of West Elgin or for that matter even West Lorne. The girls were a real team from the beginning of the season and we ended the tournament in fourth place after losing in a shoot out. I was so proud of our achievements and our ability to work together for a common goal.

Other fond memories include working with students who needed a change from the regular classroom and who blossomed in the work place. I still love hearing from former students and knowing that I made a small difference in their lives. I am retiring to assist my husband Ed run our restaurant - Rossini’s - which is located in Chatham.

It has been a wonderful experience being part of OSSTF District 11 and being a teacher at West Elgin Secondary School and I wish everyone continued success.

Susan Radoja - Parkside Collegiate Institute

Sue began her teaching career in the early 1970's while attending Guelph University. She supply taught with the Hamilton Board of Education for five years and commuted from Guelph to work in Hamilton. After Graduating from FEUT in 1978, Sue accepted a teaching position with the Elgin County Board of Education in the elementary panel at Davenport Elementary School. While at Davenport, she taught Family Studies, Math and English. After a few years of experience, Sue wrote the Family Studies curriculum for the Elgin County Elementary Panel. She taught 600 students per year from a number of feeder schools. In 1988, Sue transferred to Parkside Collegiate Institute as a Family Studies teacher. In 2003, Sue accepted the headship of Social Sciences and Humanities at Parkside.

Throughout her teaching years, Sue has been actively involved in costuming for many first rate drama productions.

Sue will always remember the many good friends and colleagues she has had the opportunity to work with throughout her teaching career. She will miss working with students in the classroom and during extracurricular activities.

Sue hopes to spend more time with friends and family. She will continue to garden and hopes to explore new horizons by travelling. Sue also hopes to continue the pursuit of life long learning.

Glen Shenton - College Avenue Secondary School

I started my career twenty-nine years ago by teaching Instrumental Music at Thamesford Public School and Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute. There are many fond memories from my time in the music field and all of them are due to dedicated students, both talented and otherwise. Two events of particular merit were the Jazz Combo that won first place in the Canadian Stage Band Festival held in Edmonton, and the hectic year that I wrote and directed the music for a school musical, “The Farm Show”.

When an opportunity arose a few years later to teach Physics I took it, eventually leading to College Avenue Secondary School as head of the Science department. Shortly thereafter computers became an important part of my daily life as I accepted the role of Site Administrator. I have been fortunate to have worked with many fine staff members and the talents of each and every student I met still amaze me. I have enjoyed my teaching career immensely, but now look forward to having more time for golf, boating, skiing, and ballroom dancing. Thanks for a wonderful experience!

Don Shirley - Strathroy District Collegiate Institute

After 31 years of teaching, why was it so hard for Don to decide to retire? While the anticipated activities of retirement finally beat out the joy of a teaching career, it was a close call! Don has enjoyed not only the classroom as a Law teacher, Assistant Director of Business and Head of Geography, but also the many extracurricular involvements with students. Some of his fondest memories are working with the future leaders of our society for many years as the Staff Advisor to the Student Council. Coaching Archery for the past ten years, encouraging students in Photography and taking classes on Geography field trips are other activities that he will always fondly remember.

Professionally, Don was involved with OSSTF in the 1980's, participated in teacher actions for better schools in the 1990's, was nominated for the Bishop Townshend Award in 2000 and enjoyed many OAGEE conferences over the years. He also loved to organize Staff Socials. Probably the toughest hurdle to overcome in finally deciding to retire, however, was saying goodbye to his phenomenal Geography department, wonderful colleagues and excellent administration at SDCI. In the end, the future joys of gardening, travelling, church involvement, carpentry, environmental protection, biking, baseball, golf and tennis have finally won out! While he will miss the staff and students a great deal, he is really looking forward to this new chapter in his life and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has made his teaching career such a rewarding one!

Jim Smythe - Clarke Road Secondary School

Jim began his teaching career in the fall of 1976 at both G.A.Wheable Secondary and Princess Elizabeth Elementary Schools. Having grown up in the E.O.A. area, he connected with the kind of student backgrounds found in these schools, which gradually became the hallmark of his teaching style and success. After a period of ten years teaching Instrumental Music, Geography and even a little English, he was promoted to Department Head of Music at Clarke Road Secondary School where he continued teaching until his retirement. His plans never included returning to the school from which he graduated to teach or to finish out his career there, but in hindsight, it has seemed like the right place at the right time for the majority of his last twenty years in music education. His personal philosophy of learning life skills through music has been his main contribution to his students at the ‘Road’, and his most satisfying experiences are to see his efforts result in happy and fulfilled graduates who are making positive contributions to our society and culture.

Jim would like to sincerely thank all of his fellow teachers and administrators throughout his career for their support and understanding which helped him to be a more effective teacher and leader. A very special thanks goes to his teaching partner for the past twenty years, Mary Gillard, for her ongoing support and for becoming a role model of the best qualities of a teacher.

Jim plans to remain in the field of music education and hopefully continue to be a mentor to future teachers. He is looking forward to a little more flexible time to play ‘gigs’ and golf and also to be more involved with his family (wife-Susan, children-Lynne, Scott and Erin), friends and in his church community.

Joe Stefina - Saunders Secondary School

I was hired in 1973 by Bill Traut. He and I talked about farming and how his son-in-law was starting a pig operation. I mention this because Bill Traut was a good principal and the first at Saunders.

I will miss the students and the people that worked with me. I performed many exciting science demonstrations that students still recall as adults.

I plan to move to the family farm in Blenheim. My mother is in a nursing home and I want her to live on the farm with me.

The following quotation offers advice to all people:

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Strive to be happy.”

David Swanson - Strathroy District Collegiate Institute

Dave Swanson views himself as a blue and gold Strathroy Saint. He started teaching at Glencoe for the former Middlesex County Board in 1975 but taught the last thirty years at Strathroy District.

Over the years he has coached a variety of sports beginning with field hockey and gymnastics to cross country and for the last number of years girls’ soccer. Dave was part of the launching of Interschool Christian Fellowship in Strathroy as well as Campus Life. Dave said he found these contacts refreshing as well as rewarding as they allowed him to see and work with the students in a different realm. Dave was also involved for a number of years with OSSTF as school representative in the former District 41.

Dave states that he has always enjoyed helping students although that is not to say he didn’t have challenges along the way. Seeing students understand and move forward in their thinking is something a teacher can truly appreciate. He looks back with fondness to the fellow teachers and students he was involved with at Strathroy. The relationships and friendships developed will stay with him in retirement.

The future will bring new learning and challenges and hopefully continued involvement in sports. Perhaps he will see an improvement in his golf game! Dave also sees himself working and doing some volunteering to keep busy.

As for advice to new teachers he would tell them to see themselves as part of the education system. Do not think you can help everyone but rather do what you should to the best of your ability, in the time you are given.

Karen Sweitzer - Westminster Secondary School

After graduating from Althouse College, I began teaching young adults at Wheable Secondary School. Over the next six years I taught night school at Beal and Wheable and also taught at the adult day school at Wheable. I was a graduate of Wheable, so it was time to move on!

The next two years were spent at Saunders where I coached Volleyball and Senior Boy’s Football. I moved a few blocks over to Westminster where I taught business and computers for fifteen years. Again, I enjoyed coaching, especially the Junior Football squad.

We had a great Business Department where I learned the best lessons for life from my Department Head Gary Weiler.

One of the highlights of my time at Westminster was getting to know three Australian exchange teachers who made our six week trip to Australia extremely memorable.

The best part of my move to Westminster was meeting my husband Dan and also having the opportunity to teach my daughter.

Carol Talbot - Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School

Carol began her teaching career in 1962 in Waterdown. Over the years she has taught Girls’ Physical Education, Social Science and English and coached track and field and basketball teams. During a hiatus from teaching, Carol had such valuable experiences as an Ontario Human Rights Officer, a folk geographer and a Black Studies Coordinator at the Cross Cultural Learners’ Centre.

During her years at Clarke Road, Carol was a staff supervisor for the Student Council, coached the debating team worked on "Fourfront" and later was a staff representative on the Status of Women Committee continuing the latter for a number of years while at Laurier.

In addition to the publication of Growing Up Black in Canada, Carol has had a short story and several poems published in various anthologies and she received a Theater Fountainhead Award for the play, The Gathering. Her love of writing was further rewarded when the Writers’ Craft course was introduced to the Ontario curriculum and Carol enjoyed the opportunity of nurturing the skills of many aspiring young writers through this course for many years.

In her retirement years, Carol will be busy with writing and quilting projects and "grandmothering" activities.

Don Taylor - Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute

Don grew up in St. Mary’s, Ontario. A graduate of Queens University, he went on to receive his Bachelor and Masters of Education from the University of Western Ontario. He has lived in Oxford County for the last thirty-one years. Don’s wife Beth is currently vice-principal at Woodstock Collegiate Institute. They have three children - John, a mold maker; Randy, a graduate student in medical physics; and Amy, a doctor.

Don spent his first eleven years teaching Math in Ingersoll, Norwich, and later as head of Mathematics at Glendale High School in Tillsonburg. After three years as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Curriculum in Oxford County, Don took on vice-principalships at Hickson Public School, Huron Park Secondary School and Woodstock Collegiate Institute. Don was also the principal at Norwich District High School. For the last five years, Don returned to his first love...the kids...and teaching mathematics at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute.

As an active supporter of OSSTF, Don chaired the Negotiating team in Oxford for one contract and was chief negotiator for another.

Professionally, Don is very proud of the role he played in creating the Huron Park Children’s Centre and in establishing the Young Parents in School Program.

He will always value most the gift of teaching.

Robert (Bud) Wilson - Medway High School

Robert (Bud) Wilson is putting down his chalk after thirty-one years of teaching in Middlesex, Oxford, Peel and Simcoe Counties. He started teaching Math and Physical Education at T.L. Kennedy in 1975 and went on to become a Physical Education Department Head for thirteen years at Clarkson, Erindale and College Ave. In 1991, he landed his current job at Medway as a Math teacher.

As a teacher and coach, Bud has made many positive contributions to education in the province. He has coached football, basketball, cross country, track, field, and alpine skiing. He has served as President of the Peel and Peel Halton Athletic Associations and chaired many committees in Oxford and Peel. Bud acted as convener of OFSSA soccer, COSSA track and field, WOSSA cross country as well as county badminton, football, soccer, track and cross country championships. As a teacher, he has contributed to many writing teams and committees focusing on fundraising, attendance, discipline, and curriculum implementation.

Bud has been supported by his wife Susan and two children, twenty-one year old Kyle, a recent graduate of Colgate University and nineteen year old Lauren, attending the University of Waterloo. He would like to thank OSSTF for their leadership and the hundreds of teachers and thousands of students and parents who have enriched his life for the past thirty-one years.

Kaye Wood - Strathroy District Collegiate Institute

In September, 1975, I was one of 14 new faces to join the Strathroy teaching staff. (No wonder that District 41 hosted an annual "new teacher night" at that time!) The plan was to stay at S.D.C.I. for 2 years! Here I am finally leaving in "06!!

i) A few tips from an ol' goat: i) At some stage of your career, become involved extra-curricularly. For myself, activities have included Key Club staff advisor, assistant volleyball coach, Reach for the Top/School Reach coach (16 years), assistant house manager for several school plays, and assisting at numerous Commencements. Helping out in such capacities is a rewarding experience- furnishing one with a wonderful opportunity to really get to know students well.
ii) Support your federation. I was fortunate to have had the chance to serve as a Councillor with District 41 for a few years. It was a great way to meet other members from the county. Other positions held included school BIO rep, and retirement gift committee member. Because of my part-time status it was necessary more than once to call upon the Federation for assistance on sorting out pay mixups. Always, they came to the rescue promptly. Thank-you!
iii) Recently, I spotted these worthwhile words on a garden stepping stone:

Keep your eyes to the skies,
your feet on the path,
your heart in the moment.

All of the best, District 11 members! Now where did I leave those gardening gloves.......

Peggy Wood - Huron Park Secondary School

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