Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-06-26, Page 2BRUSSELS UPHOLSTERY For all your upholstery needs • Furniture • Auto • Machinery seats etc. Sample and estimates free of charge Brian & Sandy McKnight Mill St., Brussels 887-6056 • Jamest pwn Pick Your Own STRAWBERRIES ***NEW PATCH ' • Orders taken for picked strawberries Hwy. 86 Brussels NORTH HURON GARDENS Brussels (519) 887-6870 * Call first to be sure that our strawberries are ready PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1996 Teacher brought love of music to love of teaching Multiple Sclerosis SOCIETY OF CANADA 1-800-268-7582 By Bonnie Gropp This will be the last year she will play ukelele and sing "Columbus" for the students. Emily Cousins, a teacher at Brus- sels Public School has decided to exercise her 90 option for early retirement and will not be returning to the classroom in September. Having come to Brussels in 1962, after graduating from. Strat- ford's Teacher's College, Emily feels that though her work has been rewarding, she has given to the many students she has taught, all that she has. "Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I am still of the old school. I think we have to let the next generation carry on. I feel I have given everything I can to teaching and I don't want to keep going until I burn out." What has been the most reward- ing in her years as an educator, has not been noticed so muchin the classroom, but in the years after the students leave. "It is gratifying when you see kids you haven't seen in years and you find them happy, successful. That makes you feel good." One special conversation that comes to mind for Emily happened a couple of years ago. A former student, now married and living in Alaska, called her on the phone one day. "She said she had just thought of me and had to call. That was really something." What prompted the call, Emily said, was social studies. " Laura (her daughter) still has people ask her, 'Does your mom still play ukelele and sing Columbus?' The kids loved that song. It was some- thing they could move to," she says of the creative idea she came up with to put a history lesson to a familiar tune. For a teacher who began when the focus was on reading, 'riting', 'rithemetic, Emily, says this being creative is what's needed in today's changing world. Education now,. she says, is based less on the basics, than on writing and creativi- ty. "Technology is changing so quickly. Today's students have to know where to find things, experi- ment and take risks. For Emily, choosing to become a teacher, meant taking a chance her- self. A Grade 12 student in Hanover, she took up the challenge after a recruiter from Stratford's Teacher's College visited the high school. She took a six week sum- mer course in Toronto, then taught in a one-room school in Greenoch, Twp., north of Walkerton for one year. This was followed by another six-week course, a year back in Greenoch and one year of Teacher's College. "I was 17 when I taught my first year, and very lucky because I only had eight students. We were one, big happy family." When a job offer came from the Brussels School after college, Emily, who had never heard of the village before, thought, "what have I got to lose?" In those years, Emily says it was nothing to have 38-40 students in a class. That is only one of many dif- Brussels Decoration Sunday Service Brussels Cemetery at 2 p.m. Parade forms up at 1:45 p.m. ferences which liave occurred over her 30 plus years of teaching. The arrival of computers has made a big difference in schools today. "They're out there in the world today. Schools have to pro- vide students with that education. They have to keep pace with a changing world, but still give stu- dents the basic tools." Relating a story on the different abilities of the duck and the squir- rel, ("No one expects a duck to climb a tree."), Emily wishes edu- cation was less generalized. She would like to see some way stu- dents' strengths could be empha- sised without pressure put on them to succeed in subjects they will, because of preferences, never use in the future. "Students all have dreams. They have to do the cur- riculum, but are we shattering some of the dreams?" "The best we can give them is to teach them to get out there, follow their dream and keep their eyes tn their goal." Brussels Melville WMS met at the home of Helen Elliott for their June meeting. It was convened by Leona Armstrong. She read a poem, "God has Need of You". A WMS song was repeated in unison. Rev. Cathrine Campbell read the scripture and Leona had the meditation, followed by prayer by Ruby Steiss. Leona had a reading, "My Up Days". and a poem "Take Time to Pray." President, Helen presided for the business. The secretary's and treasurer's reports were given and approved as read. Members were reminded of the bus trip on Sept. 17. There was some discussion pertaining to meetings and topics for meetings. These will be discussed further at next meeting which will be at Isobel Gibson's home on Sept. 9. • European and Foresis Facials • Waxing • Manicures • Pedicures Brussels People Jill Christina Smith, daughter of Janet Smith, Owen Sound, and Brad Smith, Brussels, grand- daughter of Ralph and Edna Pearson, Brussels and Joe and Bev Smith, RR 3, Brussels graduated from Fanshawe College, London June 13 with a diploma in Finance Investment. A luncheon in her honour was held at the home of Neil and Joyce McLean, London. Don't let the routine and stress of daily life interfere with your health and beauty. President hosts WMS Experience comfort, warm personal attention and gentle care from a certified Aesthetician with 8 years experience. A totally professional concept in Aesthetics for men and women Aesthetics By Bonnie Bonnie Sallows 503 John St., Brussels 519-887-6661 By appointment only Bringing music to their years Emily Cousins, a longtime teacher at Brussels Public School has always brought her love of music to the classroom, first as a Grade 5/6 teacher, then this year as a music teacher. BRUSSELS VARIETY Photo Developing 2ND SET FREE For 35mm & 110mm Films, 12's, 24's & 36's until June 30th 24 COLOUR PRINTS $7.99 JULY & AUGUST POOL HOURS MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 8:00 12:45 LESSONS 1:00 - 2:00 Moms, Pops & Tots Moms, Pops & Tots Moms, Pops & Tots Moms, Pops & Tots Moms, Pops & Tots 2:00- 4:00 1:0 1;131.10 SWIMMING 4:00 - 5:00 Moms, Pops & Tots Moms, Pops & Tots 6.00 - 7:00 Ern Aquabics 6:3° Aquabics 6.30 7:00- 8:00 I* OLIO SWIMMING 8:00 - 9:00 Adult Hour Adult Hour 8.30 8:30 8:30 * Moms, Pops & Tots - an enjoyable opportunity for parents to spend with their children in the water - toys, flutterboards, balls and woggles provided * Aquabics - includes 45 minutes of exercises in the water, similar to aerobics, the rest of the time is free to swim. * Adult Hour - a time set aside for only adults to use the pool - a lane rope is provided for those who want to swim lengths