Greetings from the

Gordon Cumming

“ What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived . It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead .”

— Nelson Mandela

Calgary Retired Teachers have a great project under way to celebrate ARTA ’ s 50 th year . Entitled Remember an Inspirational Educator , CRTA is collecting anecdotal stories about Calgary educators who , through their exemplary service , inspired students and colleagues during the past fifty years .

I have to apologize , because I have not done my homework yet , but I have been thinking . There is a long list , and it ’ s hard to narrow down ; but here are some of the major impacts on my teaching and career : R . B . Walls , my first principal , 1966 . He was nine feet tall and a legend , and I was a humble and uncertain beginning teacher . “ What do you teach ?” “ Math and Science , and I could do Social Studies .” And then came the thundering response … “ In this school we teach children !” Norm Holden , my second principal , 1973 . He encouraged us to innovate and take risks . And when we met with success , he was quick to give credit … and on those rare occasions , when an idea cratered , he shouldered the blame . He also taught me that

the best way to handle an introduction to an irate parent is to smile , give a warm handshake , and hang up their coat — being a welcoming host dissolved many a problem , and made many a new friend . So many colleagues impacted my practice and thinking . I wish I could acknowledge them all ; but as space is limited , I will highlight just two : Sharleen Kapp and Doris Barber , Grade Seven teachers , 1981 . It was my second school as principal , and my first real experience with a high-needs community . It was so easy to echo the chorus , “ These kids can ’ t …!” However , these two teachers , in the early years of their careers , just assumed that their students would be successful , and that was the only outcome they would accept . With commitment , caring and expectation , they made a difference ; and they were rewarded , every day by smiling eager faces and active learners . The principal learned a valuable lesson too . Garfield Anderson , 1983 . ( I was his assistant superintendent .) On those days when the phone was ringing , and there seemed to be a line-up of suspensions , new policies , and upset parents , he would say , “ When you applied for this job , this is what you wanted to do .” It was a great line , and it still echoes during the occasional meeting or debate . Chuck Rose , long-time colleague , and CRTA President in 2005 taught me to telephone late at night when volunteers are most vulnerable … tell them there will be only three or four meetings a year , and that you can launch them into a great ‘ second ’ career working for retired teachers . Seven years later , both of us are still engaged in ARTA pursuits , although I do not know what happened to the three- or four-meeting limit . And finally , my dad , a small town doctor , but in his own way a philosopher and teacher , influenced my career as well . Again , many thoughts echo through my head . One thing that he taught me was the greatest rubric for evaluation :“ Is it worth the wear and tear on the chicken to lay the egg ?”

When we look back on our careers , it is those people we worked with who dominate our memories . When we speak , we hear the echo of their voices . When we act , we know they would approve . Above all , their impact continues because we are now on the lists of our former students and colleagues .

All the best for the holiday season and the rest of our anniversary year .

ALBERTA RETIRED TEACHERS ’ ASSOCIATION News & Views Volume 19 21 , No . 32