The Thompson Teachers Association (T.T.A.) held its annual retirement dinner June 12 in celebration of members who are retiring from the teaching profession in the School District of Mystery Lake. Held at the Thompson Golf Club, T.T.A. honourees, membership, family and friends, most of whom are previously retired colleagues, enjoyed the evening amongst the beautiful surroundings of the golf course with many in attendance noting how the venue was well-suited for the celebration.
Serving as the evening's emcee, T.T.A. President Donna Johnston commenced the speeches by bringing greetings and best wishes from the association. Noting how, in the profession, teachers are often too busy to take a moment to reflect on the lifelong accomplishment of their peers, Johnston took the opportunity to highlight each retiree's contribution to learning, youth, the association, the school district and the profession. Celebrating the life-long contributions of retirees Linda Wilson, Judy Whitton, Guyanne Chaddock, Mardelle Poulin, Irene Tapley, Anne Shifflett and Dr. Jerry Markley, Johnston then concluded her speech by thanking the honourees for their years of dedicated service and bidding each of them best wishes in their new endeavours.
Celebratory speeches and presentations for each honouree were presented with a unique sense of style and flair.
Mardy Poulin, affectionately known as the "mother of Deerwood" was given a humourous and highly delightful rendition of Swedish pop group ABBA's "Dancing Queen" by an entire choir of her peers. Guyanne Chaddock, one of the first teachers to help establish Mystery Lake School District's successful French Immersion program at École Riverside, provided her own speech with the good humour and vitality of a stand up comedian. Burntwood School's Linda Wilson, this year's recipient of the T.T.A. Distinguished Service Award, took the opportunity to share some reflections on her career, reminding membership to keep active with T.T.A. while sharing other nuggets of wisdom with attendees.
The Thompson Teachers Association officially congratulates this year's retirees on their retirement and is grateful for their many years of dedicated service to the teaching profession and to the City of Thompson.
