Teaching, a work of heart

Sarah Letourneau (left), Beulah Eagles, Karen Osborne and Merle Robertson.

     "Teachers are the torchbearers of humanity, showing the way forward to the leaders and innovators of tomorrow."   

     

     "School days, school days, dear old golden rule days. 

'Readin and Writin' and 'Rithmetic,

Taught to the tune of a hickory stick."

"You were my queen in calico, 

I was your bashful, barefoot beau. 

You wrote on my slate, 'I love you Joe,'

When we were a couple of kids." 

     
     Reminiscent of our school days in a bygone era, my sister Merle and I shared some nostalgic moments as we sang this little ditty. 

     Recently, we presented a program we called School Daze at a weekly, community drop-in for seniors. 

     We recalled stories of how we had to walk several miles together, enduring all kinds of weather, to arrive at our one-room, country school. Just one teacher back then, teaching eight grades. 

     

     At the beginning of my own teaching career I found myself in a very similar rural setting. 

     As my sister Merle questioned me of those early days teaching, I re-told my experiences in those early classrooms. 

     It was extremely challenging first year: one classroom, 38 pupils scattered amongst eight grades; some pupils were taller than me and nearly as old; outdoor bathroom facilities, (we called them biffys); and the challenge of keeping a pot-bellied stove stoked, for warmth. 

     

     Thankfully, as time went on, the modest country schools became a thing of the past, as regional schools were built with children bussed from various districts. 

     During our presentation, we were delighted to be able to include two visiting teachers as a part of our program. 

          None other than my daughter Karen — who recently retired from a long career with Kelowna Christian School — and my granddaughter Sarah, who is a beginning her teaching career with the public schools in Kelowna. 

     Choosing teaching as a profession, seems to run in our family.  

     I am proud of Sarah, carrying on this family tradition. It was a likely choice, having followed in her mother's and both her grandmother's career footsteps. 

     

     Sarah briefly shared with our group of elders, that her initial plan was to find work in the field of sports therapy, after receiving her Bachelor of Kinesiology degree. 

     Yet, it seemed God had other plans for Sarah. 

     The satisfaction and joy Sarah experienced from her involvement in educational activities, such as: teaching Sunday School, directing youth at summer camps and her varied sporting interest, redirected Sarah's thoughts about her career. And so, she found herself pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree. 
     
     After last year's busy schedule as a substitute teacher in Kamloops, I've no doubt Sarah will soon be a much sought-after teacher-on-call within our Kelowna schools. 

     I'm proud to pass the torch on to Sarah, who has already shown herself to be a teacher with heart — one whose creativity, organizational skills and passion, will make a difference in our world. 

     Children learn what they live, so looking back I am not surprised that both my daughter Karen, (and later her own daughter Krista) became a part of our family's "teacher gene pool." 

     The life of a teacher is a busy one, full of endless lists of important details. 

     As a young woman starting out in the world, Karen helped out in the classroom of her teacher/mom's household. The initial experience made the idea of choosing teaching for a career, unattractive to Karen. 

     
     But once she began volunteering to work with children, it took no time at all for the teacher bug to bite her. Karen pursued her education, receiving her teaching qualifications to begin a life-long career.

          Here are a few excerpts from Karen's talk, she shared with the group of seniors.

     "It's been said that, 'teaching is a work of heart' and as a just-retired teacher of 30 years, I can certainly attest to this fact. I have no doubt that God had me pegged for this profession from the very beginning.

     He used my early experiences with children, the mentorship of my teacher-mom, and even some of my personal struggles to form in me a heart for learning that would, over the years, inspire and give impetus to my teaching. 

     Being a part of the Kelowna Christian School community was a wonderful, wonderful gift that enlarged my heart over the past 28 years. I thank God for the privilege I had of being able to study and memorize God's Word with students in the classroom; for vibrant chapels as we worshipped together; for prayer times with students, colleagues and parents; for our school motto, "God First, Other Second, Me Third;" and for the variety of hands-on mission projects each grade was involved in; for the challenge and joy of integrating life, learning and faith on into the 21st century.
     


     Lastly, Karen challenged us seniors to regularly pray for teachers within our communities — that they will seek God's wisdom in their many responsibilities and decisions; that they would have the inspiration to teach with "heart" and foster compassionate classrooms, where all students are respected and helped to work towards their potential. 

     Karen reminded us that we are all teachers in our relationships as parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, friends — no matter what our age or stage, we all have gifts we can share as we impact others by the positive, helpful way in which we live. 

     

     Then, our lives will truly be a work of heart. Therefore, Karen, welcome to a new phase of your life! 

     No longer will you associate numbers with grades, bells with classes and a marker pen with a whiteboard. We know you will never cease to impart your wisdom and important lessons of life to those children around you. Your grandkids will now the focus of all your love and attention.
    

"To teach, is to touch a life forever."

This beautiful, handmade quilt, lovingly created by Mrs. O's class, together with Mrs. Melody Campbell, (parent and former student) was presented to Karen on her final day of teaching.

      

     The words the children chose to write on the quilt, describing their teacher... "encouraging, kind, patient, generous, welcoming, cheerful," are golden strands we all can weave into the fabric of our lives.   

Life is a work of heart.
  










— beulah