2003 Induction

At a cermony held October 3, 2003 the executive and members of Timberline Local No. 9 formally inducted the new members of the local.

There are 10 new teachers in Wild Rose School Division, 8 were inducted at Rocky Legion. The Alberta Teachers' Association deems it desirable that all persons entering the teaching profession for the first time be called upon to participate in a ceremony of recognition and acknowledgement of their professional responsibility to pupils, parents, colleagues and country. Timberline's induction ceremony also included an honour to last year's ten retirees, two of which were present.

Another professional new to the division, Deputy Superintendent Bev Hammond, delivered the speech to the new inductees and retirees. Timberline Vice President South Kathy Budd officially inducted the new members.

Inductees	Retirees
Matt Dickinsin - Caroline Sandra Wilkie - Caroline Darlene Ferris - David Thompson Alanna Cellini - Will Sinclair High Adriene Hodgins - Will Sinclair High June Fong - Will Sinclair High Debby Schmidt - Aurora Elementary Rosemary Bell - Frank Maddock High Kim Barker - Frank Maddock High Jody Schmidt - Drayton Christian	Elaine Blezard - Lochearn Elementary Lana Palmer - Lochearn Elementary Chris Kelly - Evergreen Elementary Donna Kelly - Aurora Elementary Alfred Von Hollen - Pioneer Jacquilene Harty - Pioneer Wally Heinrich - Frank Maddock High Alan Day - Frank Maddock High Russ Gold - Caroline Robert Jones - Caroline

Deputy Superintendent Bev Hammond's Speech

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my distinct honor to address the inductees and retirees of the Timberline Local No. 9 this evening. Thank you Russ for that introduction…

When I was invited to speak with you this evening I thought about what message I would hope to convey. I believe it most fitting that we honor both our retirees and our inductees on the same evening…and my message to you is simply…What is past truly is prologue…Now what exactly do I mean by that…well, let me give you some examples

I’m sure all of you can recall a certain teacher who inspired you to learn… that special teacher who touched your heart and your mind, who gave you a glimpse of what you might achieve or who you might become…and, here you are….a teacher

Now, as the teacher you have the ability to deeply and profoundly affect the life of a child as a teacher may have once affected your life. The fire you light for learning will affect your students for a lifetime just as your learning has shaped you. You have experienced the reward of knowing that you have made a difference just as your teachers have.

Think back to your first days of school (as a student), your wide eyes and your insecure grin…a whole new world…both exhilarating and intimidating all at once. Now think of another first day of school and the sudden realization; I am the teacher…and then the looming question: What do I do now?

Yes, indeed, what is past truly is prologue…

All teachers, new and veteran, or inductees and retirees share a special bond - the bond of a unique and noble profession and the bond of our shared passion for touching the lives of our students. We possess the awesome responsibility and the distinct privilege of standing before our students not only as educators but also as care givers, counselors, mentors, guides, motivators, protectors and nurturers to name just of few of the teacher hats we wear.

These are the bonds that enable us to understand each other like no one else can. And through this understanding, we are able to offer each other mentorship, guidance, expertise and strength.

To our inductees, remember that all of your successes may not show up in the classroom. Sometimes they show up when you expect them the least and yet, need them the most. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or glean from the wisdom of seasoned teachers. Look to the experience of others who have gone before you. They are there to comfort, to mentor and to guide.

To our retirees, close your eyes and recapture that moment that inspired you long ago…remember how it felt to be a new teacher and offer our inductees the benefit of your experiences, your wisdom, your passion and most of all your encouragement…they now walk a path you once walked.

On occasion, I have referred to the school year as a 10-month tango – a complicated series of steps we take to get through the intricate “dance” of each school year…The music that stirs our hearts is what has been taught and learned. Each gliding step an opportunity for insight and reflection.

And as we dance, we sashay from apples to chalk dust (or dry erase markers these days), skinned knees to bruised egos, bathroom breaks to grade books, kindergarten centers to graduation gowns…memorable moments that may break our hearts, try our patience, bring us laughter and sometimes tears…Some are anticipated, some are totally unexpected, some are easily solved while others tax our ingenuity and creativity but these moments always inspire, uplift and motivate.

And as we dance, complications in our successful performance of that “tango” are often caused by the myriad situations, dilemmas and circumstances that arise in any given school year. All are issues that have been faced by our retirees and yet to be faced by our inductees.

And as the changing crescendo and tempo of the orchestra’s music heralds the transition from one dance to the next…We know that the new dance will be a blend of the quiet wisdom of the experienced, our retirees and the enthusiasm of the new, our inductees. The past, the present and the future are intricately linked!

Indeed, what is past is prologue…

10 of you here tonight are leaving a most noble calling and profession. You have had such a profound responsibility…pause for just a moment…reflect upon your dance…the difference you have made for the children whose lives you have touched over the years and how your life has been touched… your contributions, achievements and service to education…may you be reminded of the fine nuances and distinguishing essence of that proud word teacher…and as the orchestra’s tempo changes your work lingers like a quite harmony providing a foundation upon which bold new notes are played for our inductees.

10 of you here tonight are just embarking on this incredible and rewarding journey…as you dance, may you be reminded of the tools you have at your command. Because of your talents, your traits, and especially, your heart…you chose to become a teacher. Pause for a moment and ask yourself…what difference will you make for the children whose lives you will touch, what legacy will you leave with your students, their parents, and your colleagues…The music has begun to play…How will you dance?

Teaching is so much more than a job…it is both an art and a science; both a mission and a passion and it is a most profound calling. Anybody whoever became anything was taught something by somebody who was a teacher.

Always remember…We do not teach for us…we teach for them! And like you, I am a teacher and I am proud and grateful for that every single day!

It is also fitting that today, October 03 is World Teacher’s Day, a formal opportunity to thank teachers everywhere for their significant contributions. And as a gentle reminder I have brought each of our inductees and retirees a copy of the poem “I am a Teacher” by John W. Schlatter.

And I leave you with these few final thoughts….

To our inductees,
-Teach Proudly for the countless live you will touch
-Teach Proudly for the impact and influence that you will have on our future and,
-Teach Proudly because, you are proud to be a teacher
But also…
-Teach humbly for the countless ways in which you will be touched
-Teach humbly for the difference that teaching may make in your life and,
-Teach humbly for the realization that on this journey the greatest change may, in fact, be within yourself.

To our retirees…
-Retire proudly for the countless lives you have touched
-Retire proudly for the future you have helped shape,
-Retire proudly for the service you have given and the differences you have made and yes,
-Retire proudly because you have been proud to be a teacher
but also…
-Retire humbly for the countless ways in which you have been touched and,
-Retire humbly for the difference that being a teacher has made in your life.

Thank You…

I am a Teacher

I am a teacher.
I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.
I have been many people in many places.
I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions.
I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.
I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth through countless stories.
I am Marva Collins fighting for every child’s right to an education.
I am Mary McCleod Bethune building a great college for my people, using orange crates for desks.
And I am Bel Kaufman struggling to go Up the Down Staircase.
The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity… Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.
I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students.
I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies far too young.
Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician and a keeper of the faith.
Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.
I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students.
Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents and in my constant search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.
I am the most fortunate of all who labor.
A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment. I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships.
An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.
I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy. But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.
And whom do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, your children.
And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventurous and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future. I am a teacher….and I thank God for it every day.
John W. Schlatter