Two teachers in the Hanover School Division have been well remembered by their students.
Recently, outstanding graduating students of the University of Manitoba were nominated by their faculties to recognize the role of two teachers that made important contributions to their education: One from between kindergarten and grade 12, and the other from their university years.
At the 33rd Annual Students' Teacher Recognition Ceremony, Janine Lavallee of Stonybrook Middle School, and Margaret Wiens of Green Valley School, were given this honour.
Fiona De Guzman was the graduating student chosen to represent the U of M's faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, and a student of Lavallee's.
"I would love to honour Janine Lavallee, who was my seventh-grade homeroom teacher," she said during the ceremony. "I have no doubt that she is the teacher who provided the most positive impact during my K to 12 years."
She remembered hearing how tough Lavallee could be, but discovered the teacher prioritized fairness in grading, tough love, as well as time management and taking school seriously.
"Little did she know that this was the beginning of meeting and setting high expectations for myself. Because of her class I kept up with small, healthy habits that she had instilled in me to thrive in my education," De Guzman said, thanking Lavallee for helping her become the kind of person and student she wants to be.
Lavallee says she is incredibly honoured by the recognition.
"You're not in this job to get accolades like that, right? So when you do get something like that, it's so emotional. It just touches your heart, and you go 'Wow. That was amazing. I can't believe she thought that way,'" the teacher says.
She has been teaching at Stonybrook Middle School for 17 years—as long as she has been a teacher for.
"I did always want to be a teacher. When I was in grade three, I used to force my siblings into rows and pretend like I was one. But life got in the way, and I couldn't do it for the longest time," she says.
It wasn't until her son was in university, and realized he didn't understand how to write an essay. The realization re-awoke her calling to be a teacher.
"I can help kids with that," she explains.
It's been easy for her to stick with it.
"Sometimes, you are the person they need. Sometimes they, for whatever reason, are missing pieces of their life," Lavallee says. "You can be a neutral person, yet still give them that discipline, accountability...and they need that structure."
In that atmosphere, she says she has watched as kids realize they can do things they never thought they could do.
"Can't is one of my banned words," she says.
Over the course of her career, Lavallee says she has developed incredible connections with students who have later invited her to weddings, graduation ceremonies, invite her to lunch, and visit her from high school regularly.
"Those kinds of things mean a lot, especially with the kids that have left," she says. "It's heartwarming, and feeds your soul."
Rita Rebizant, principal of Stonybrook Middle School says the kind of recognition Lavallee has received is inspiring for educators as a whole.
She explains teacher's impact on students is not always seen or felt, even years down the road.
"It really inspires us as educators to continue doing what we do. These kids are so precious and we really love seeing where they go, and what they do with their lives," she says.
The principal describes Lavallee as a master teacher, who is invested in her students and has a gift for connecting with them—much like a grade seven math teacher she had growing up.
"Those connections with kids is vital," she says. "It matters because our kids deserve it. Every single kid that comes into our building deserves care, and to be valued, and to be respected, and to be nurtured. When you have teachers that instill these values and push them to succeed and to do well, you're setting kids up for success."
Lavallee encourages educators who may feel lost in the grind, wondering daily if they are having an impact on their pupils.
"You are making an impact," she asserts, and urges them to celebrate the small victories.
"Teaching is a challenging profession. It's really hard. But if you keep going through it, it doesn't get easier, but you feel better about it. You feel more confident. It just becomes a part of you," she says.
"It's all about the kids."