South Bruce branch celebrates 60th anniversary of Retired Women Teachers of Ontario

Lois Davey of Kincardine remembers what it was like to be a teacher in 1956. Having just finished teacher's college, she was teaching at a school in Windsor that had 1,000 pupils.

"I came from a rural one-room school, with 35 kids in all eight grades," she recalled. "I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I taught just one grade of students in my own classroom."

Her principal, Howard Campbell, and school secretary, Clare McLeod, were from Kincardine, as were some of her fellow teachers. "It was a good time to be teaching," she said.

Davey was one of several teachers honoured as the South Bruce branch of the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RWTO/OERO) marked the 60th anniversary of the organization, Thursday afternoon, at Kincardine Baptist Church.

The other retired teachers were Betty Hamilton, Eileen Morris, Eleanor Thompson, Betty McFarlan, Kathryn Campbell, Peggy McCharles, Margaret Ferguson, Eva Wilken and Bev Harris. They all received roses to recognize their teaching careers 60 years ago,

McCharles started teaching at S.S. No. 1, Huron Township. In 1956, she was taking some time off to have her family.

Thompson was teaching at S.S. No. 5 Greenock Township in 1956. She recalled one Halloween, a student came in dressed as a tramp, smoking a real cigar - she didn't say anything to him but his punishment was to finish smoking that cigar. "I certainly enjoyed my teaching days."

Morris first taught at Walkerton Public School, and then Bruce Township Central Public School, before moving to Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School.

Ferguson was teaching in Kingsbridge in 1956 and remembered being storm-stayed at the school. "It was so cold, we took the heavy curtains off the windows and rolled them up like blankets. I enjoyed teaching, and I still meet some of my pupils which is a real joy."

Hamilton was teaching in Niagara Falls in 1956, and didn't move to Kincardine until 2004. She recalled that many of the primary students she taught had never been to the Falls, so she set up field trips and took them there.

Campbell was teaching in Peel County 60 years ago.

McFarlan was teaching in Hamilton in 1956, and then moved to Kincardine and taught all eight grades at a rural school on the 12th of Huron Township. She stayed home to raise her family and then returned to teaching at W.E. Thompson Public School in Kincardine before retiring.

Wilken was in teacher's college in 1956. She began her teaching career at S.S. No. 7 Kinloss, near Lucknow. "Once a teacher, always a teacher," she said. "I have nine great-grandchildren living in the area, and I see them two to three times a week, so I'm still teaching."

Pat Emmerton, president of the South Bruce branch, said the RWTO was formed in April, 1956, to pressure the government to increase the pension for women teachers so they matched those of male teachers. Finally, in 1967, the government agreed that the minimum pension would be $1,200 per year.

Emmerton said the RWTO gave rise to the formation of the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO/ERO) which continues the dialogue with the government on pension matters for all retired teachers. The RWTO continues to look after the special interests and well-being of retired women teachers.

About 30 women attended the 60th anniversary celebration, enjoying a delicious dinner, catered by Nancy and Ken Craig. The money raised through these catered meals is used by the Craigs in their Welcome Home Haiti mission trips.

Shirley Greenwood, RWTO Area 1 director, brought greetings from the board of directors, and congratulated the South Bruce branch on a wonderful celebration. She then cut the cake for dessert.

Emmerton noted that $200 was provided by the provincial office of RWTO for the celebration, and $250 as a charitable donation to the community. The South Bruce branch used the donation to fill shoeboxes for the Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child program.

Judy Watt gave the group an update on the refugee family in Kincardine, which the RWTO has supported. She said the Elahi family (a mother and three grown children) arrived in late August and is living in a home in central Kincardine so they can walk and bike around.

"They have started English-as-a-Second-Language classes in Owen Sound," said Watt, noting that after they finish the two-month course, they will begin studying through the Learning Centre in Kincardine.

She urged the retired teachers to help out, if they can, with the family's studies.