When June rolls around, schools begin to focus their attention on year-end activities, award assemblies in elementary schools, and graduation in high schools. It is an exciting time of year as students complete their grades and prepare for summer vacation.
Graduating students anticipate their “big moment” of receiving their diplomas. It is the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next stage of life.
While the focus at this time of year is rightfully on the students (after all, it is their education that so much time, energy, resources, and effort go into), there is another group of people we may miss.
This group is connected to schools. Their place in the education system varies, as do their roles. They could be classroom teachers, educational assistants, custodians, bus drivers, and so on. Some will work in a specific location, others in multiple places. Some work throughout the school division. The length of time in their role varies from a few years to decades. Yet, they have one thing in common – they have reached the point where they are retiring from Mountain View School Division.
Like the students who reach a milestone in their learning, these folks are also reaching a milestone. They are coming to the end of a career, a service, and a formal commitment to assist students so they can achieve their educational goals.
Our school division has made a point of recognizing all of our retirees. After all, those who have committed themselves to work for the benefit of students need to be celebrated. They have contributed to their success, whether it is providing the environment for them to learn in, getting them to and from school, or instructing them, each plays a vital role in seeing students find success.
Each year the Board of Trustees has an evening to recognize our retirees.
Some years we have a small number. In other years, more than 20 people have chosen to retire from their roles. While the number fluctuates, so too, does the makeup of the retirees. Each one has served our communities by helping to provide an education for our students.
Last week, the Board recognized this year’s retirees. This year’s “class” was equally diverse with retirees coming from 9 different roles within our division. Each served different lengths of time in these roles. As part of our honouring these retirees, we take the opportunity to share a brief biography of their time working in the division and their plans for the future. What has always struck me in listening to their stories is the unique paths each has taken.
Some came to their path into the school division early on in their career and spent decades impacting the lives of students. Others came to Mountain View after working in other fields for many years. Each brings their own life experience to their role and provides a valuable perspective for our students.
The highlight of the night is to provide a heartfelt “thank you” for their service. They have given their time and skills to help our students find success. As a community, we are grateful that they have. After all, it takes a village…
We wish each one all the best in their retirement.