From the Branches
Mel Deydey | President , MHADRTA
Medicine Hat and District Retired Teachers ’ Association
MHADRTA 2020 Volunteer of the Year : Vicki McCaig
When life hands you lemons , you make lemonade — or perhaps a delicious lemon dessert ! The pandemic was a lemon and soured our plans to recognize Vicki McCaig — our 2020 Volunteer of the Year — at our April 8 general meeting , but we still wanted to hold the event in 2020 . With a small crowd that included members of the MHADRTA executive and Vicki ’ s immediate family , we presented Vicki with her certificate and ARTA clock during a surprise ceremony at our October 13 executive meeting ( with social distancing ).
Vicki joined MHADRTA after retiring from a successful and rewarding career with the Medicine Hat School District # 76 . Vicki was born to be a teacher . She began her teaching career at Crestwood School in 1965 , and in 1973 she took a break from teaching to stay home with her two young children , Heather and David . She continued substitute teaching and returned full-time in 1983 at Ross Glen School , where she taught until her retirement in 2002 .
Math was Vicki ’ s passion . She established a Math Facts Club to help students who were struggling with math and planned enjoyable and creative math games . Many student teachers got their start in Vicki ’ s classroom , learning from a very creative teacher . She was an active member of the Alberta Teachers ’ Association and served on Local No . 1 committees for many years .
When volunteering in the community , Vicki and her husband , Bob , are a team . They are very active with the
Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Board . Vicki sits on the Pioneer Village Board where she looks at improvements for Pioneer Village and ensures that it is maintained for future generations . Vicki and Bob are involved with the Grandstand Committee and help with the horse races and chuck wagons during the Stampede , and Vicki is involved in organizing and running one of her favourite events , the Stampede Family Christmas .
Vicki joined MHADRTA and ARTA after retiring and volunteered as the liaison for Local No . 1 . She is always quick to volunteer . Vicki organizes and coordinates school tours to the McKay
Creek Schoolhouse , where MHADRTA members greet visiting classes . During the four-day Stampede in July , she coordinates volunteers for the thousands of visitors to Pioneer Village and the McKay Creek Schoolhouse , and opens the schoolhouse for the Old- Fashioned Christmas event in December .
Vicki and Bob also volunteer with the Santa Claus Fund and Prairie Gleaners , and Vicki volunteers at Crescent Heights High School , where her daughter teaches . It was truly a pleasure to honour
Vicki at our first COVID-19-era meeting since February . We will formally recognize her at a future general meeting when permitted . Vicki McCaig is a most deserving and worthy recipient ! I am proud to be her retired teacher – colleague and friend !
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