Did you known that today is National Teacher Appreciation Day. It lands on the Tuesday during first full week in May as a reminder to show the appreciation for Teachers everywhere! A day to say, thank you for guiding, teaching, and educating our students, because Teachers are molding our most precious asset, our kids! Thank you!
My favorite Teacher, and I say this unbashfully, was my Dad, Samuel Yaremchuk. Mr. Yaremchuk was my 7th and 8th grade Teacher, and my Principal at Baldur Consolidated School. So, if you think I had it easy, having my Father as my Teacher and Principal, think again! If I was in hot water at school, I got it twice as bad at the dinner table from the Dad and then my Mum. Nine times out of 10, I deserved, I was always sited for talking too much, hmmmmm, not much has changed hey?
Dad was my favorite Teacher for many reasons, but this example always stays with me. It was a really hot June day, and most all the students, including myself, were not understanding this complex math lesson in Grade 8. So Dad, closed the blinds, shut off the lights, to keep the June heat down, and he asked us to move our desks to the back of the room, and we all sat on the floor in a big circle. Dad then grabbed his guitar, and sat with us on the floor, and “sang” the math lesson. Wow, it was like the lights went on for all of us, we finally understood. Music solved our complex math problem, by singing the solution! This was the late 70’s, long before studies revealed just how important music is for children-teaching them literacy, math, and everything else in between. Dad was also my soccer, track and baseball coach. He was everyone’s favorite Teacher in Baldur, I still hear that today when I visit my hometown. Mr. Yaremchuk was my favorite teacher too, it was just a little more special, because he was also my Dad.
Thank you to all the Teachers in Westman that give their heart and soul to our children, we appreciate all your efforts, thank you!
Cheers,
Shelly and Tim
