them , and use what fit our classes and our teaching styles , but I didn ’ t see any sense in throwing the baby out with the bathwater .
From my mom , I learned the importance of rhythm and rhyme , of labels with words and pictures , of repetition , and of endless stories . ( If I didn ’ t read three stories aloud each day , I could hear my mom ’ s voice in my head .) I learned to encourage parents to think of themselves as their child ’ s first teacher and best advocate , which meant I had eager parent helpers in my classroom right until my retirement . My mom also showed me to set the tone of the classroom : to model cheerful , helpful , respectful , and active behaviour .
My daughter is also a teacher , following in the footsteps of her gramma and mom . She , however , chose secondary education , with a major in Social Studies and a minor in Mathematics . She started teaching a week after she finished university and has been ever since .
She has had a more diverse career than either her grandmother or me . Her career took her to different communities , whereas Mom and I had always taught close to home . Still , my daughter saw the value of community , and always tried to live where she taught so she could build relationships both inside and outside of school . She brings a lightness to her classroom — she frames assignments as missions to be taken on by her students , and her long practicum supervisor said he had never had anyone dress up in a hat , boots , spurs , and chaps to deliver a lesson ! But along with this levity , her expectations are consistent , help is given , and respect is mutual . She ’ s had to adapt often over her career , catering to many boards and administrators , the ever-changing Ministry of Education expectations , and of course , COVID-19 .
During the school lockdowns , she was forever asking me how to say “ I ’ m here , I ’ ll listen , I ’ ll help ” in different ways . Her most vulnerable students disappeared , even when on screen . In a classroom she could quietly drift over to reteach , motivate , comfort , help , whatever was needed , but not through a screen , and vulnerable students will rarely , if ever , risk asking for help when others can hear .
Teaching has changed a lot over five generations ( and counting ): from one-room schoolhouses with nine grades to Individualized Program Plans , from Gestetner copiers to digital scanners , chalkboards to smart boards , and notebooks to Chromebooks . Yet despite these changes , the connection between teacher and student remains . Even with all the technology , only a teacher can share a love of learning , support a fragile child , turn failure into progress , or excite students into giving their best . Only a teacher can open the door to a future of possibilities — one inch at a time .
Eileen Hines taught in Marwayne , Alberta , for her entire career , where she also raised her five kids , who gifted her with twelve grandchildren . She still lives on the family farm , is deeply involved in the community and grandmothering , and frequently shows up in a classroom .
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