Retirement Celebration

2013 — 2014

ADETFO wishes Randy Butcher

Nancy Eckford

Mark Hopfgartner

Diane Solomon

Many people may not be aware that, when I was first hired by the Sault Ste.

Marie Board, it was as a Teacher-Librarian at East View and Alex Muir. I also

taught in the primary grades at Etienne Brule and Rankin before teaching

Junior and Senior Kindergarten for 20 years at Pinewood. At Pinewood, I

enjoyed working with two, and in some cases, three generations of children,

parent and grandparent volunteers, as well as five principals and a variety of

classroom pets. I have especially fond memories of the

many nature, science, environmental and cultural activities

that I was involved in, over the years. I must admit that I do

not regret no longer having to organize turkey dinner for two

hundred, although I do miss cooking Stone Soup. (Not

enough to come out of retirement, though…) My last two

years in the Early Learning Kindergarten Program at Anna McCrea have

been very happy, working with a new community and a great staff.

My plans for the future involve sleeping in, reading, sitting on the dock at

camp and travelling. If you want a companion to walk through Hiawatha Park

or the waterfront boardwalk, give me a call. Not too early, please.

Kathy Babijowski, Anna McCrea PS

Family, Duty and Dignity

Kim Carter, Superior Heights

Teaching Kindergarten for the last 24

years has been amazing! I have loved

listening to their stories, singing through

out the day, and being a part of the joy as

they learn.

It is always great to hear from former

students as they share their successes

and favourite memories.

Building friendships with fellow teachers,

networking, dinners and supporting each other has been wonderful!

I am looking forward to travelling, more family time and an open

calendar to fill as I wish.

Veronica Cinelli, Kiwedin PS

Who has time to sit and reflect on their teaching career as they still have lessons to plan,

marking and I can't believe I'm saying this but "one more set of report cards to write". I can say

that my "Awesome Book of Memories "is bursting with memories and it will keep me very con-

tent and smiling for many years as I reflect on it.

I consider myself very fortunate to have fulfilled my childhood dream of wanting to be a teach-

er. My family has been with me every step of the way and my constant support (whether they

wanted to be or not). Friends suggested that I shouldn't wait until the last month to start going

through my collections that span 30 years or more. So I took their suggestion and have spent

the past year going through most of it. It has allowed me the opportunity to look back, to re-

member and to reflect on my teaching career. More importantly it has allowed me to remem-

ber many people who have come into my life because of teaching such as: colleagues, all staff

members I have worked with, my students and their families.

I started my teaching career almost 30 years ago (hard to believe) when my brother dropped

me off in Sioux Lookout (yes, that's right no car or Greyhound bus in case I wanted to leave!)

where I had accepted my first teaching job for the Dryden Board of Education. This great ad-

venture lasted 6 years. During that time I was fortunate enough to work with a staff that also

became "my family of the North".

I moved back to Sault Ste. Marie ,as I had accepted a position with the Central Algoma Board

of Education. Once again, I consider myself very fortunate to have worked along side a staff

that inspired me and encouraged me to always strive to do my best. Each one holds a special

place in my heart. I didn't move too far and I am extremely content to be completing my career

at Echo Bay Public School where I am honoured to work along side an incredible staff.

In Antoine de St. Exubéry's book Le Petit Prince, the fox talks to Le Petit Prince about the im-

portance of taking time to make connections and establish relationships. "Créer des liens",

these words have stayed with me since I first read Le Petit Prince in high school. Throughout

my own schooling and teaching career, I have had the opportunity to make connections and

establish lasting relationships and for this I know I have been truly blessed and this has made

my journey so far very satisfying. I look forward to continuing to "créer des liens" as I continue

on my journey. Maria Gallo

I have been worked in Education for 32

years. Although I have experience teach-

ing in regular classrooms, it has been my

passion as an Educator to work with

special needs students.

For the last 25 years, I have worked as a

LEAD teacher, a SERT, and a Special

Education Coordinator. I have had the

opportunity to work with students from

Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 and/or

age 21. It has been especially rewarding

for the last 12 years of my career to work as part of the Special

Education Department at the Algoma District School Board.

I have had the opportunity to facilitate Professional Development

opportunities, to work with agencies and school personnel, and to

strategize with Principals and Teachers to program effectively for special

needs students..

Marilu Horton, Special Education Coordinator JK-12

Eastern and Northern Regions of ADSB

As a teacher, my goal

everyday was to encourage

individuality, foster creativity

and nurture my students in a

safe and fair environment.

I am very thankful and

blessed to have experienced

such a rewarding career!

Dianne Jarrett,

Parkland PS

Au revoir les amis

I leave my teaching career of 31 years with only fond memories. My journey as a junior French Immersion teacher was very fulfilling. There were challenges but the rewards were always greater.

I was blessed with respectful students who were appreciative of their education. They enjoyed learning a second language and their enthusiasm inspired me. I learned much from my students.

What I will miss most is their daily cheerful greeting of Bonjour Mme Juuti.

Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian author, says, "If you are brave enough to say good-bye, life will reward you with a new hello".

Upon entering my life as a new retiree, I plan many things. However, gone fishin' during the week days will be the most awesome. My success is mostly due to much love and support from Rob and Kari, much strength and comfort from my parents and siblings and much understanding and empathy from my colleagues. Mille mercis à tous! Michelle Juuti, Esten Park P.S.

“I look forward to going at a slower pace through

each day and taking time to enjoy family and

friends.”

Chris Kitzman, R.M. Moore

My teaching career began in Nunavut, continued into Northern Manitoba, and

finally extended to three different locations in Ontario. Each location provided a

different type of landscape. But the things that were constant throughout all

locations were the students that I taught.

I believe all students are basically the

same; particularly when they show a

zest for learning. Some of the happiest

teaching memories I have are from

when I have seen passion start to

twinkle students’ eyes. Springing from

student curiosity, this passion has

caused excitement of new discoveries

to exponentially grow in everyone,

including me. For that, I send out a

gigantic THANK YOU for all those

electrifying opportunities that I have

had.

I also appreciate the true friendships

I’ve gained with many of my colleagues

and I’ll miss that interaction with them.

Now, I am looking forward to being able

to engage in other passionate pursuits

with my family and friends.

Bonnie Lloyd, Ben R. McMullin PS

Who is Gladys? Not only is she one of the most caring and gentle teachers

in our board, she is also a poet. Whenever you want to find her, you just

follow the art! Her classroom is colourful, vibrant and full of student creations.

The jungles, oceans and spaceships inspire young minds and create a room

ready for adventure and learning.

Gladys is also an actor. She directs

and performs plays, one of the most

memorable being the Kapok Tree.

Gladys will be missed by everyone.

She has inspired countless genera-

tions of children. No one ‘falls through

the cracks’ in Gladys’s care.

G – GREAT!

L – Always Laughing

A – Award Winning Teacher

D – Dreamer

Y – Youthful

S - Sunshine

Gladys Sanchez

Teaching has been a very big part of my life. It has definitely had its

challenges and rewards.

I have enjoyed working with and meeting many talented and resourceful

people through out my career.

I have enjoyed all of the

performances over the years and

going to the Finnish Rest Home.

I enjoyed coaching and being the

Character Lead Teacher.

I am now looking forward to more

time with my husband and, my

grand children, spending more

time at camp and doing more

travelling.

Patricia Smith-Niblett,

Kiwedin PS

“The concept of freedom is never truly realized until one

settles into retirement mode.”

— A. Major