Lessons in Teaching

Recollections from a Seasoned Educator:

September 3, 2024 – Olds, Alberta

As the rain softly tapped against the window, Lucille sat comfortably in her chair, reminiscing about her 30-year teaching career that began when she was just 18 years old. Now 92 and residing at a Mountain View Seniors’ Housing lodge, Lucille shared her journey in education and offered valuable insights for the new generation of teachers as they head back to school.

Lucille began her teaching career at a small country school in Manitoba, just after finishing high school in 1950. “You didn’t need university to teach back then,” she recalled. With a shortage of teachers, Lucille took a six-week summer school class and quickly found herself in charge of classrooms within the small school consisting of children grades 1 to 8. “It was a big family. The kids helped each other and all played together at recess,” she fondly remembered.

Lucille’s early years of teaching were followed by a seven-year break to start a family. Her husband’s work in the oilfield took them across the country, moving from province to province. During those years, Lucille welcomed four babies, each born in a different province! Determined to continue her passion for teaching, she attended evening classes in Red Deer and summer school in Calgary, dedicating two years to university studies before eventually settling down and beginning her long tenure at Olds Elementary School.

Over the years, Lucille primarily taught grades 2, 3, and 4 at Olds Elementary School, where she spent 24 of her 30 years in education. She became known for her ability to connect with students who faced challenges, often being assigned children with difficult learning or behavioral issues. When she asked her principal why she always seemed to receive the most challenging students, the response was simple: “They need you.”

Lucille has many stories about the students who left a lasting impression on her. One student she remembered particularly well was a little boy from her Grade 4 French class. Years later, she attended his father’s funeral, and to her surprise, the boy greeted her in perfect French, despite her thinking he might not even remember her. “He lived in Quebec and was taking his family to France,” Lucille said proudly. “He went all the way to the top with it!”

Reflecting on her career, Lucille emphasized the importance of adaptability in teaching. “Grow with the flow of teaching,” she advised. From the early days of handwriting practice and daily French statements on the blackboard to the introduction of computers in her final year of teaching, Lucille witnessed many changes in education. “Teaching looked very different back then,” she noted, predicting with a chuckle that in 10 to 15 years, “It’ll be robots teaching!”

Lucille’s love for music was a constant throughout her career, and she often integrated it into her teaching. She led her students in singing “O Canada” in French, taught them to play recorders in harmony, and collaborated with other musically talented staff to create memorable Christmas concerts and performances. “That music group was perfect. It was like we had a little band of our own,” she said with a smile.

Above all, Lucille cherished the bonds she formed with her students. She spoke of the bittersweet moments at the end of each school year when it was time to say goodbye. “At the end of the year, it’s very difficult to see them go. I get choked up, especially when they come and hug me.”

As Lucille reflects on her career filled with music, teaching, and the joy of guiding young minds, she fondly remembers the uniqueness of every classroom she taught in. “Every classroom you have is special… different, but special,” she says. Looking back, Lucille is grateful for the memories and the impact she had on her students, hoping that others in the field can find the same sense of fulfillment she experienced throughout her years of teaching.

Embracing Love, Laughter, and Lifelong Memories

– Mountain View Seniors’ Housing