University of Alberta Calgary - Evergreen and Gold Yearbook (Calgary, Alberta Canada)

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£vzn fSiee+i Qald ADVICE FROM ONE IN ' 47 Huntsville Consolidated School, Iron Springs, Alta. March, 1948. Dear Class of ' 48:— Now that your term is nearly finished, most likely your thoughts are with your new job, which approaches in seven-league boots. You ask, What is teaching really like? Shall I like it? Shall I make a good teacher? No, I don ' t profess to be a mind reader or fortune teller waiting to have her palm crossed with silver. A year ago, I walked the same halls and lost at the same ping-pong tables as you are doing now and those questions were common to al l of us. Let ' s look at teaching. I won ' t bother with the trite though true topics of underpay, public censure, and overwork of teachers. Instead, let ' s talk about the smaller things that make or break you. On the Strictly Horrible side of the ledger I would place the firsts: first night before the first day, first clash of opinion with parents, the first time you really stand up for your own principles (and or against principals!) Maybe the loneliness of a strange community ranks here. There are, too, the endless problems of the schoolroom; trying to teach facts as well as the principles of society, plus the planning necessary to make interesting, in¬ formative lessons. I think, too, we all find the step between the carefree conduct of teen-age and the necessary dignity of teaching a little hard to take. Now a glimpse of the Credit side which I shall label Rays of Hope. Education is being recognized as a profession, and that feeling permeates the community making your position pleasant. As for the work itself, an energetic teacher will find it difficult to become disinterested. There are a hundred challenges each day, as well as marvellous opportunities for public speaking and personality study. The teacher is a learner in a busy classroom. The little things—the small surprises the class plans (the favorable variety), the whole gang running to meet you on your way to school, the funny feeling you get on the last day of the term. So are my impressions of teaching. The night before you go to your new school, take another glance at this letter. (If your Yearbook, as mine, follows you with its dear familiarity, Where e ' er You Walk. ) You are in the same position as all your class¬ mates pictured in that treasured volume. Remember, you are the product of a fine educational system and by now well-fitted for your job. If you are a bit shaky and (let ' s be honest) just plain scared, get some sleep, for you will find every staff and class ready to help a new teacher. You ' ll be surprised how eager your class is to tell you,— how we did it with Miss Kettledrum. I do hope you can glean something from my rambling. May I close with best wishes for a successful happy career. Sincerely yours, JEAN PEACHEY, Class of ' 47. Page Twenty-six

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£ jiznxyiee i. Cjold Class “A Class A is, of course, predominantly masculine, but none the worse for that. For some reason which appears to be rather obscure, six ladies were included; possibly it was something to do with morale, or perhaps these six girls were particularly deserving types. At any rate, they have man¬ aged to create considerable havoc one way and another, but we wouldn ' t part with them for the world. Almost all types of characters are to be found in this class. There are those quiet, reserved, hard working students who give the class its stability. There are also some of those people who can never pass un¬ noticed; their actions, their voices, their hair, or perhaps their physiques, single them out as marked men. It would probably be no more than the truth to remark that there isn ' t another class in the Faculty so versatile as Class A , and certainly no class has given quite so much trouble one way and another. Our Students ' Council Representative, Deraid Willows, who has great personal charm and is ex¬ ceptionally capable besides, has on more than one occasion been at his wits end wondering how he should cope with trying situations involving the honour of the entire class, yet for which the class seemed to show no en¬ thusiasm at all. Deraid always persevered and has upheld the Class motto which appears to be: If B and C do it, I guess we shall too . One member of Class A has what amounts to a positive genius for skipping lectures—apparently unnoticed. We also have a bridge club made up of both males and females who pursue their fascinating, if dubious hobby, in whatever room happens to be handy. The wrath of both janitors and staff has been hurled upon them, but at the time of writing, the bridge games continue—in secluded corners. Class A besides being versatile, is talented as well. Among its members may be found several men who are particularly gifted actors, especially in the expression of low comedy. There are a number of instru¬ mentalists, two or three good singers and even a couple of artists. Class A has its share of brawny athletic young men, but on the other hand, there are several who as yet, have been unable to perform what is commonly known as a forward roll with any degree of grace or even competence. The girls are athletic—more or less, though we regret to report that one lady has what appears to be an absolute aversion to all forms of physical exercise. But she excels in other fields, notably in the field of languages, so we cannot condemn her for her lack of interest in sports. Although good looks and intelligence rarely go hand in hand, Class A seems to have achieved the impossible and secured a combination of both. It has been a pleasant group from the first, with a blending of character that is harmonious, but not at all dull. We can state with jus¬ tification that Class A is, as the name implies, truly an A Class. ALLAN CAMPBELL, HENRY THOMASSEN. Page Twerty-seven