More than 530 years worth of quirks, foibles and downright zany antics of 25 teachers from High Prairie School Division were under the microscope in Slave Lake last week when the division saluted (and roasted) all those years of service.
East end trustees Neil Deas, Duncan Fisk of Slave Lake and Kinuso’s Linda Duchesne took turns zeroing in on the highs (and lows!) in the careers of their teachers that were at the same time being recognized for 10, 15, 20, 25 and even 40 years of service.
C.J. Schurter teacher Vicki LaFrance and her E.G. Wahlstrom cohorts Debbie Reid and Barbara Sargunaraj were recognized for a decade of service to the division, while Kinuso’s Marlene Applegate, Roland Michener Secondary’s Audrey Emes and Brenda Laboucan for EGW were applauded for 15 years apiece with the division.
The trustees also took turns thanking – and poking fun of – eight of their employees who have worked 20 years for the division. Those included RMSS’s Stephen Beare, Annellen Eiserman, and Blain Zimmer, Kinuso’s Doreen Beaupre and Ione Robinson as well as Susan Frigon, Cindy LeBlanc and Donna Melvin from EGW.
Betty Adamkewicz and Barry McMeekin from Roland Michener, Wahlstrom’s Claire Atkins (“our motherly pitbull”) and CJS teachers Karen Carleton and Laura Lokken, meanwhile, were applauded for a quarter century of service with the division.
And in a first for the division, Duchesne presented a retiring Natallie Dow with her award for 40 years of service, all of them at the Kinuso School.

Retirees heading for door
The trustees also paid tribute and heaped accolades on a handful of teachers who are retiring from the division.
After 34 years with the division, Tom Bergersen was applauded as a “dedicated (Industrial Arts) instructor.(who)took his position very seriously promoting fairness, hard work, honesty and above all, the need for learning.” He was remembered for his many years for his work outside the classroom coach (at EGW and RMSS) basketball, volleyball, badminton and later golf. An “accomplished athlete, he passed on many of his talents to his players.
“He always promoted good sportsmanship, hard work, fair play and a positive attitude.”

Two year plan wraps up after 33
With almost as many years to her credit—every one of them at C.J. Schurter — Margaret (Bambie) Killeen (“a.k.a. Miss Halfhide, Mrs.Clean, Aunty Bambie”) was recognized as a teacher “who has taught almost every grade and subject in the school in virtually every classroom possible.”
Recognized as being ‘legendary’ for her ability to absorb and remember trivia, the Grade 2 teacher, however, was just as famous for losing things.
“Don’t ask her where her car keys, glasses, watch, student bookmark, ATA binder, purse or a million other everyday items might be. She won’t have a clue!”
And as integral as her example for living the school’s ‘I care’ mantra has become, the feisty ‘Bambino’ is just as legendary for her readiness to “go toe-to-toe with the best of them.”

Lady with lots of heart
Heather Labrie began her tenure with the school as an ECS (kindergarten) teacher in 1976, then temporarily left the division to take up a job as Special Needs instructor at the Centennial Daycare. Three years later she was back at CJS to head up the special needs program there, becoming famous for her “incredible understanding and knowledge of early childhood development.” In that capacity she developed and adapted an aquatics program that continues a dozen years later.
“She also promoted a wheelchair awareness program designed to educate staff and students about the challenges faced by students and adults who use a wheelchair.
“Heather has certainly left an important legacy for future special needs students in the community.”

Teaching staff, then students
Neither Arthur Mah or former EGW vice- principal Allan Wahlstrom were at the event, but prepared notes on the former say the Kipling, Saskatchewan-born teacher was on holidays in 1974 when he got ‘the call’ from HPSD. He began his tenure with the division in High Prairie before moving to Faust, and eventually Slave Lake to take up a spot on the EGW staff roster.
On his own time he quickly became known for his love of photography, but as the computer age settled in he turned his sights in that direction, carrying his passion to work.
“He started computer labs at school and integrated the computer into classes, giving all pupils the chance to learn and create on the latest technology.
“He took the time and patience to instruct others in the way of the computer” even if it meant “pull(ing) the EGW staff resisting and screaming into the computer age.”

Losing school’s ‘heart and soul’
Perhaps Allan Wahlstrom was too shy to show up at one last roast – make that Long Service Awards ceremony – hosted by High Prairie School Division last week.
And while she admits he’s shy and withdrawn in many ways, Pam Morrison says the fomer vice principal spoke volumes with his support – loud and clear – when it came to standing up for support workers at the school.
“He was wonderful, absolutely incredible,” the teacher’s aide recalled last week.”Nobody was as supportive as him, every day there were comments, sometimes witty and sometimes encouraging.” “He was the best -- my rock”
The accolades were echoed by long-time friend, and fellow administrator, Harry Bartlett who said Wahlstrom was first and foremost, “a very, very, very loyal friend.”
Bartlett and Wahlstrom went to school together in the 1950s and ’60s, graduated from Grade 12 and headed to University of Alberta to obtain their education degrees in tandem.
Harry finished his degree first and returned to the old stomping grounds in 1969 to take up a job at Roland Michener Secondary, followed closely by Allan who began working for the High Prairie School Division at the school in Faust.
Still the two remained close friends, says Bartlett, “and he’d stop by my place every Friday to tell me stories for the week.”
Eventually the two held very similar positions, with Bartlett the principal at RMSS, and Wahlstrom the vice principal at the community’s first school – E.G.Wahlstrom, named for Allan’s dad Gunnar who lobbied for the original school.
The junior Wahlstrom, says Bartlett was “a very effective teacher and communicator. And he was also known to the staff as Mr. Fix-it, because he was always (ensuring) things were done and working properly.”
As vice principal, Wahlstrom was also responsible for setting up the timetable for many years, recalls Bartlett. “He’d make up the timetable, then pick up what ever(classes without teachers) was left over, and teach those himself.
Often seen walking down the halls with a somber, serious face, the former vice-principal had a “joking, mischievous side,” Bartlett says.
“He was great at one-liners.”
That thought was echoed by teacher Debbie Reid who said the vice-principal was also a supporter and friend.
“It was a shock to everyone when he said he was retiring,” Reid said, adding that she had very mixed feelings when Wahlstrom delivered his news.
“I was happy for him that he was retiring, but sad for myself. I was very confused, but suddenly it came to me several days later.
“I told him, ‘We all came to you like babies. We were the new teachers, and you were not only a teacher, but a father figure too.
“You taught us right from wrong, gave us that guidance.
“But at the same time, he was always in your corner,” says Reid, “but he was also there to give you that push when you needed it.
“It was effortless for him. That was just who he was – and I miss him terribly.”
It’ a sentiment that’s obviously shared in the staffroom and hallway since the vice-principal’s departure earlier this year.
“Like somebody said, ‘We’ve lost the heart and soul of the school.’”

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