Another school year is coming to an end for students and teachers at Davidson School this Wednesday, but this time the usual jubilation is tempered with heavy hearts.

Longtime Grade 1 teacher Norma Gregoire is retiring after spending the past 32 years at Davidson School. Gregoire said she had to retire sometime and this will give her more time to spend with her family.

“Although teaching has been my calling and I feel I could teach many more children to read, it’s the right time for me to retire,” said Gregoire. “I have a new grandson, Elliot, in Yorkton and my husband (Mark) is happy that I am going to spend more time with him.”

At the school’s annual awards presentation last Wednesday afternoon, current students at the school showed their appreciation for her help in teaching them how to read by lining up to give her one last hug.

“That was so amazing,” she said. “That wasn’t even planned and I fell apart. It is just amazing to get all those hugs.”

In addition to the hugs at the awards presentation, Gregoire was given a “memory box” that included notes from past and present students which detail the many wonderful moments they have spent in her care. A few hours later at the School Community Council’s annual end-of-year potluck supper, she was also presented with a honourary bookshelf filled with her favourite children’s books that would be placed in the Davidson School library.

“I love books,” said Gregoire. “One of the memories I got in that little memory box from one of my kids is a thank you for teaching (her) how to read books. I love children’s books and I love reading to kids. It couldn’t have been a better gift.”

In a funny way, the bookshelf actually serves as a bookend to Gregoire’s career. After graduating from Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba, in the mid-1970s she was presented with the Grolier of Canada Award, which was given to one graduate at each education department in a Canadian university for being the most promising teacher to be. The award was three sets of encyclopedias in a bookcase, so it seems her career has come full circle.

To read more please see the June 24 print edition of The Davidson Leader.