HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-05-03, Page 10School's out
Teacher and former principal Clem Steffler of Brussels was
honoured at a retirement open house in Bluevale on
Sunday. Mr. Steffler and his wife, Phyllis have seen a good
deal of the world, having lived for a year in Australia and for
several years out west. He most recently taught in Dublin,
while Phyllis, a nurse, does home care work for some local
seniors.
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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1995.
Retiring teacher shares lifetime of experiences
By Bonnie Gropp
It has been a professional life full
of change and new experiences,
one that began in rural Morris Twp.
and concluded this past weekend at
a retirement party in Bluevale.
Clem Steffler, teacher and princi-
pal, along with his wife Phyllis
were the guests of honour at an
open house on Sunday.
Born and raised on a farm just
outside Cranbrook, Clem graduated
from Stratford Teacher's College in
1958. "I bought a '59 Chev car to
start teaching that cost me one
year's salary. Now, I could buy
three to four cars for what I make
annually (as a teacher)," he says.
That first teaching job was at #8
Morris "Brownstown", a one-room
school where Clem taught eight
classes for the next four years. He
rhymes off the names of students,
still familiar to the area. "There
were McLellans, Craigs, Warwicks,
Mathers, all good students. And
Johnston. I guess I must have done
my job well, I see one of my stu-
dents, Keith, is a deputy-reeve
now."
Clem recalls how important the
school was to the community in
those days. "It was the centre of the
community. I was invited to the
euchre parties and house parties. It
was easier to teach when you had
formed a bond with the families."
In 1962, Clem and Phyllis, who
was a nurse in Wingham hospital,
were married. In June of that year
Clem made the move to Goderich
where he taught Grade 8 at St.
Mary's Separate School. "That was
my first urban school," he says,
adding that while he enjoyed the
experience he preferred rural life.
"I couldn't talk farming with those
kids."
In 1965 Clem became principal
at St. Mary's then in the fall of
1967 he went back to his rural roots
as principal of a school in Kings-
bridge, where he remained until
1976. During those years Phyllis
nursed at Goderich hospital and the
couple also had a farm, which grew
at one point to a 200 cow operation.
Clem said that the time in Kings-
bridge was longer than he had
ways considered best. "I have
always felt that a teacher or princi-
pal has done all they can do in six
years. After that it's time to move
on."
"Teaching in one school for so
long is a drag for me and a drag for
the kids."
On Halloween night 1974, he had
purchased 160 acres of land in
Alberta over the phone. Two years
later, when he decided to move on,
that seemed as likely a spot to settle
as any.
Though Phyllis was reluctant
about pulling up roots, the family,
which by that time also included
four small children ages six to 11,
went west. "We felt a bit like pio-
neers," said Clem. They built their
new home in Fairview, a place in
the heart of cattle and grain country
six hours north of Edmonton.
Phyllis said that the western peo-
ple made the transition easier.
"They just adopted us. They were
so friendly." Clem noted that that
part of the country was quite
young, having only been settled in
the 1930s, so people were enthusi-
astic about new arrivals.
Phyllis found work at a geriatric
hospital, while Clem took on the
position of teacher at a junior high
school. "Farming was my interest. 1
didn't really have time to be princi-
pal."
In 1982, Clem was ready to move
again, so set an exchange in Aus-
tralia, after consideration and dis-
cussion with Phyllis and the
children. They went there in 1984
and immediately became involved
in community through the Rotary
Club and other organizations.
At that time, there were differ-
ences in education between Canada
and Australia, Clem said, most
notably the drive to be educated.
"There was not as much initiative
in Australia in 1984 to get an edu-
cation. It was much like where we
were in 1964. But now, their econ-
omy's tighter too, and everyone's
going on to university and college."
When they returned to Fairview,
Phyllis, who had resigned as home
care co-ordinator for the county
health unit when they left, took a
position at the local nursing home.
Teaching positions were scarce,
however, so eventually they decid-
ed to sell the farm and look for
something further south.
In 1990 they found themselves
back in Australia, this time to visit
their daughter who was now mar-
ried. When they returned to Cana-
da, Clem was approached by his
brother, a principal in Wingham,
about taking a teaching position in
Dublin. He has been there until this
past Jan. 31, when he officially
retired.
Over his years as an educator
Clem has seen many changes. The
one that disturbs him most is a cur-
riculum today that "is cluttered by
so many other things that we can't
teach the basics."
"Teachers are doing more and
more in school, picking up things
that used to be done and taught by
the family, and doing them less
well."
So 35 years and 1,500 children
later, Clem is considering a future
without teaching. "We'll stay in
Brussels for two or three years, at
least until our youngest son is fin-
ished school (he's at the university
of Guelph, two others now live out
west). After that I don't know what
the future holds, but life's too short
not to take the opportunities pre-
sented."
"Meeting people is what makes
life worthwhile. Moving broadens
our horizons. It is as good as any
textbook education. I don't feel like
a wandering spirit, but I don't like
to feel fenced in."
Walton Public School news
H. Crocker, new principal
were thankful that she helped on new position as principal of Walton
Hall dance
Doug and Marg Fraser had guests
this weekend. His sister Iva and her
husband Frank Marshall were down
from Bramalea.
After 12 weeks the Bible Study,
'Jesus Then and Now' came to a
conclusion last Wednesday. Rev.
Randy Banks finished the study by
playing his Tiaze music for the
group to hear.
Mary Lou Johnston from
Bluevale, who is known for
remembering friends' birthdays
with cakes, brought one out for
Margery Huether. The group sang
to her and after making a wish she
blew out the candles and she shared
the cake with everyone.
They also sang happy birthday to
Rev. Banks who celebrates his day
on May 5.
Congratulations go to Blair and
This Sunday, May 30 was pulpit
exchange and Duff's United
welcomed Rev. Judy Barker of the
Victoria St. (Goderich) Benmiller
Pastoral Charge. Judy has worked
as a chaplain at Bluewater Youth
center for quite a while.
Her children's story told how
badly both Peter and Paul had made
mistakes but Jesus showed them
how loving and forgiving he was
by giving them both another
chance.
In her sermon she talked about
a success
Debbie Fraser on the birth of their
new daughter on Friday.
Yet another successful dance
took place on Saturday at the Hall.
Generation II, (Keith and Gloria
Wilbee) was the band and they
played music that all ages could
dance to. Spot dance winners were
Lorne and Helen Fell from Staffa
and Ron Stacy and partner.
Around 75 people attended and
enjoyed the music as well as the
lunch that was provided. The next
dance will be on Friday, May 5
with the Tiffins providing the
dance music.
Well kids will be scrambling to
get their baseball gloves broken in
as ball season begins in Walton,
May 15. Jo-Ann McDonald is the
person to call if you need any
information about playing in
Walton.
her life as a chaplain in the
corrections facility and how she
came to understand how badly the
inmates needed to know that they
are worthy of being cared for
emotionally, physically and
spiritually. She said that she didn't
condemn or condone them but tried
to understand them.
May 3 will be the next UCW
meeting, starting at 8 p.m. Rev.
Bruce Cook will be the guest
speaker. Members are reminded to
bring craft supplies for camp to the
As you know this past week has-
been Secretary Week and Mrs.
Johns has certainly been the
recipient of some very special cards
and songs. The kindergarten class
made her some handshaped flowers
with a note that said, 'Thanks for
the hand'.
Grade is made het a special
booklet which each child did a page
in.
The Grade twos made her some
beautiful egg-shell flowers and
gave her a 'Secretary Extraordinaire
certificate.'
Mrs. Elligsen (Tyler's mom)
brought in a cake decorated in pink
and white for the Grade 3s to give
to Mrs. John. The class then sang
'Happy Secretary Week' (sung-to
the tune of Happy Birthday) to her.
Last but not least the Grade 4
class made up a rap song and
performed it. The teachers all noted
what nice things the children said
when they thought of Mrs. Johns.
Such things as, 'She always smiles
at us.' She's there to give us hugs
and bandaids when we need them.'
They also mentioned that they
meeting.
Also next Sunday people are
reminded to bring Canadian Tire
money which will be collected for
the church camps.
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Self-sufficiency through
literacy in the developing world
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Hot Dog Day.
Kids and Teachers alike
congratulated Helen Crocker on her
School. The kids said that the only
thing that would make them
happier is if they could stay in
Walton for Grade 5.
Rev. Barker speaks at Duff's