Calgary Normal School - Chinook Yearbook (Calgary, Alberta Canada)

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THE TRAINEE TEACHER (Genus 1941-42) Oh a teacher’s life is the life for me! Out on the prairie where the winds blow free, Carrying tumble-weeds and dust. It’s a wonderful tale, and tell you I must! ’Twas Friday morn that I was sent From Normal—and never a greener gal went Out to teach the Golden Rule To twenty-two Germans in a one-roomed school. I lived all alone in a stuccoed shack, With the road in front, wood piled at the back. To the west were hills where the coyotes roamed; To the east was the school—when I saw it I groaned. ’Twas filthy—not swept since the end of June. So I set to work and had it cleaned soon. A lonelier week-end there never passed. Then Monday approached and my heart beat fast. “Will they like me? Can I take it?” I asked myself. If I couldn’t, I knew I’d be put on the shelf. The great day dawned, and ready at eight, I tripped to the school, laid a fire in the grate. (All you who are skeptical, you dare not say I had to use coal-oil, for I knew the way To build a good fire—I came from the farm, And so I knew better, please take no alarm!) The children came early—not ’til nine went the bell. They whispered in corners; of course I could tell I was getting the once-over, the old one, two, three! Thought I—“Slip showing? Seam straight? Hair all right? Are my hands clean? Shoes shining? Lipstick too bright?” One girl came forward (my body went numb), “Are you here waiting for teacher to come?” An innocent question—but I shook my head. “Oh, no, you see—I’m the teacher,” I said. Somehow the day passed—I shall never forget How I struggled with names, and ages, and yet I knew from the first that ’twould be hard to part With those twenty-two pupils, for they’d captured my heart. The weeks flew by swiftly, just crammed to the top With visitors, lessons, a party, a hop. And speaking of hops, if you do get the chance, Just take it, and go to a good country dance. From nine until midnight—an hour out for lunch, Then one until four—if you’re not full of “punch!” A rural school teacher meets all sorts of guys, Some pretty classy, and some not so wise. There were Mounties and cowboys, a teacher or two. There was really no time to get lonely or blue— We went skating and shooting, and for joyous car rides All over the country—with singing besides. As for life in the schoolroom, ’tis needless to say, There was endless variety—scraps every day, And laughing, and singing, games at recess. Learning was slow, but they studied. Oh yes! Mathematics was easy, and art; and what’s more, They wrote compositions, though their English was poor. The daily improvement was cheerful to see, And they wanted to do all the work for me. How they’d carry in coal and water, and wood, And sweep up the floor if they weren’t so good. The pleasures were many, and sorrows were few. ’Twas with heavy heart that I bade them adieu! Alas, friends, it’s all over, that pleasure so rare! And tell you I must—’tis only but fair: Now I can’t settle down, for I long to go back To the kids at Snake Vale, and my wee stuccoed shack! MARILYN LE BARON—Class “C”. Page twenty-nine

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ON COMING TO NORMAL O N September 15th I walked into the assembly hall in the Calgary Normal School, where a sea of unfamiliar faces confronted me. What influence would this new adventure have upon my future? I did not demand that this vocation would hand me a set of golden rules, which would tell me exactly how I could emerge a qualified teacher. Rather, I came to develop in mind and character in order that I would be a person worthy of teaching the boys and girls of this country. My high ideals were not knocked from my hands. I still have them and they have now become re al and significant. Normal School has helped me to realize that there are many more people in the world besides myself. There are thousands of interesting individuals who are capable of advancement and success if they are only given the chance to try. I can see that life has much to offer, if we only have the will and fortitude to seek for it. Nothing comes easily which is worth while. The members of the Normal School staff have tried to show me what goals are truly worth striving for. By their unselfish sacrifices for all students alike, they have won my admiration and thanks. Although we do not know ' the teachers intimately, I am sure that they will be interested in our futures. It is my wash, that every one of us may live up to the high standards of citizenship and of teaching that have been set before us. Work and play alike have been enjoyable, because every member of my class co-operated in both. Studies do not become tasks if everyone confronts them as interesting problems to be solved. By approaching them in that manner we grow in understanding and confidence. No matter what looms ahead, we should challenge it; and emerge from the experience wiser than before. I have derived much pleasure from extra-curricular activities, such as the Choral and Dramatic Societies, and from sports. All my classmates entered into their amusements with the idea that they did not need to be entertained; rather, they enjoyed just being together and discovering how interesting every person was. We should not ridicule others for their char¬ acteristics, but we should feel that their differences make them outstanding individuals. We had such a short period to be together! Tomorrow we shall be scattered in all directions. All of us shall have different futures, but whatever we do, we must rise, not fall. Let this year at Normal help us to go out into the -world w ' ith a determined goal in view. In the words of Agnes Lee: “Follow the trail on, hourly, yearly, Over the dark in the willow-brook, Over the dawn; and look and look, And close your eyes, to see more clearly.” MARGARET FATH—Class “B”. ☆ ☆ ☆ CLASS A has three much appreciated members: Sister Edward, Sister Francis and Sister Beatrice. Sister Beatrice (Gaudette, I. M.)—In French, Sister Beatrice surely holds sway, and her merry smile enlivens our way. An excellent student—really no less, in the teaching profession she’s bound for success. Sister Edward (Bakos, K. C.)—A born teacher is Sister Edward, her skill and tact are surely the word. Her vast experiences among the Missions enriches our class discussions, and lessons. Sister Francis (Donworth, E. J.)—A few years ago from that Emerald Isle came Sister Francis with her winning smile. As a teacher she’ll do her work well, a story of sucess will be her’s to tell. Page twenty-eight

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DEBATING CLUB ☆ ☆ ☆ T HE Debating Club was organized last October under the sponsorship of Dr. Swift. The motive behind the formation of this organization was a desire on the part of a number of the students to gain some experience in oratorical work. The officers for the first term were: President, Mr. J. C. Speelman; Vice-President, Miss C. A. McCarthy; Secretary, Mr. B. Moore. After Christmas our President betook himself to the Far North to teach t|ie Eskimos—or somebody—consequently a new slate of officers had to be elected. These were: President, Miss B. MacRae; Vice-President, Miss A. Ackroyd; Secretary, Mr. N. Sidjak. Meetings were held ever} Tuesday evening, and the interest maintained by having different types of programmes. These consisted of round-table discussions, panel discussions, open forums, semi-impromptu speeches, and formal debates. A great deal of entertainment was obtained from these, and though some produced rather warm arguments, no cases of hair-pulling or chair-throwing are on record. BEATRICE McRAE—Class “D”. Page thirty