Many words have been used by parents and teachers to describe Debbie Pritchard, including ‘inspiring’, ‘compassionate’, ‘supportive’ and ‘empowering’.
The educational assistant (EA) at St. Joseph Island Central School has touched the heart of two generations of students, including her two children and later her five grandchildren.
In the past few days, the Richards Landing resident attended her last Grade 6 celebration and her last school assembly after 38 years at St. Joseph Island Central School.
The school will always hold a special place in her heart as she moves into a new chapter of her life – retirement.
The last scheduled day of the school year – an emotional day – saw numerous well-wishers, current and former students, teachers and principals including Paul Rowe who, in October 1984, hired Pritchard.
The surprise afternoon program included "guess the guests." Pritchard tried identifying the 12 mystery guests who were hidden, dropping one-liners as hints.
But it was "You three stop growing" and "I'm your favourite announcer" that stumped the guest of honour.
"My mind is not 100 per cent these days," Pritchard said as siblings Jenna, James, Carter Fleming stepped out onto the gym floor, followed next by Spanky Robinson, announcer for the Soo Greyhounds.
Each of the classes presented their own skits, from Good old hockey game, to To all the kids you've taught before’ holding sheets of paper expressing how ‘Mrs. P’ has touched their young lives.
Students said they will miss Pritchard's smile, advice, coaching, humour and laughter, her passion for track and field, her personality and generosity.
Pritchard started working for Central Algoma District School Board in 1981 as a noon-hour aide, said current principal, Pat Aelick. At that time, she was responsible for cleaning a portable that was at the school and was hired as an EA three years later.
Notes from her original interview were recently found and one of the questions she was asked was, "Are you okay with getting dirty”” Pritchard responded, "Yes."
"Anyone who has worked with her would say she does a whole lot more than that," Aelick said. In her speech, Aelick described Pritchard as an energetic, enthusiastic worker whose concern for the students is apparent in everything she does.
"She treats each child as a capable individual with inherent human worth," Aelick said, adding she has an ability to connect with the hard-to-reach students.
"Debbie's support is invaluable to staff. She facilitates the flow of lessons, is not intrusive and complements a variety of teaching styles. She anticipates staff needs and often has completed a task before its need has been fully realized by staff. Her flexibility, sense of humour, stellar organizational skills and her desire to be a team player all play key roles in her abilities to effectively undertake her responsibilities."
Pritchard has routinely assisted with volleyball, basketball, track and field, cross-county and fundraisers such as the Terry Fox Run and Jump Rope for Heart.
One of her proudest career moments was receiving the Central Algoma Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario Support Staff Award for 2000-2001.
Several former students and staff shared fond memories from bygone days. Guests included Nelson Ingram, Jo-anne Entwistle, Paul Rowe, Pam Cooper, Pauline Rait, Spanky Robinson, Terry Johnson, Kelly Cudmore, Joanne Jenny and Viviene Burns.
"How do you thank someone who has travelled down the ups and downs of life with you," said Kim Coulter, holding back the tears. "There will never be enough words to tell you how much we appreciate you. If not for you, I know the educational part of my children's life would have not had the same positive results they have now. You were and still are their mentor, their safe person, their cheerleader."
"They know you will always be a part of their lives," Coulter went on to say. "They cherish your opinion and advice – in other words, they love you. Through good times and bad times, you were there. You never faltered, you persevered to make sure my children and others were successful."
Former student Tristen Stevens battled many challenges in public school and by his side when needed, was Pritchard.
"We had our moments, but over all they were good," Stevens said. "Sometimes they were bad and I said some things, then I would see you at a hockey game and all was good."
With the exception of two months she spent at Arthur Henderson Public School in Bruce Mines and recovering after she donated a kidney to her husband Eric, Pritchard's career rested at the St. Joseph Island elementary school.
In a recent interview, Pritchard took a trip back in time when there were 290 students in the school, down in numbers today to about 100. The first day she walked into the school, she was a noon hour supervisor, a position she held for three years. She also cleaned one of the portables. Then in 1984, she was hired on by Paul Rowe.
"At the time, we had a student that was legally blind," Pritchard said, adding it was also her daughter’s kindergarten class. "I had volunteered now and then. The job opened and I was hired. I have been fortunate to be there ever since."
Over the years, there have been many challenges and Pritchard was there through the struggles, strikes, claw backs, reduced class sizes. Never once did Pritchard ask herself, "What am I doing here?"
There were also changes in faculty, the introduction of the intermediate class of Grade 7 and 8, changes in the curriculum and reduced funding to a wide range of special needs students. There are more kids on the individual education plan now then when she started. The need is more, due to identification and testing than before.
When she started, EAs worked along side the student, then students were removed from the classroom to get them the help they needed. Today it has come full circle.
"I feel a student got a lot more out of the studies with a teacher and EA in the room," she said, adding that's all gone now. "They are integrated into the classroom now.” Technology for students has been very beneficial.
Never once did Pritchard give up on a student, she said.
"You could always find something they enjoy and teach them through that avenue," she said. "You give respect, you get respect from a student. I'm really going to miss everything about St. Joe School."
Will Pritchard really walk away from the school and its students?
"No," she said, adding she will ask to be put on a supply list due to the shortage of EAs. She will also continue working with students during track and field season.
Pritchard was one of three EAs and with a large class size expected for the 2019-2020 school year. She can foresee a need for help as the school will be down by one EA – one in a classroom is not enough.
If there was one student who touched her the most it was Connor Coulter, she said.
Pritchard started working with Connor, who has Autism, in Grade 1. Working with Connor did not happen overnight.
Pritchard is discouraged on where the education system is heading.
"Some of the changes will be a disservice to the education system," she said. "It's not about the student anymore, but money. So, why was I there for 38 years? The students."
Accolades bestowed upon her also included when she was part of a group who formed a union with CUPE and got EA's their first contract in 1994 with the then Central Algoma District School Board, later joining the Ontario Secondary School Teacher's Federation.
Living in a small community like Richards Landing, Pritchard has been able to maintain a social connection with many of her former students.
When she is not in class, Pritchard enjoys gardening, golfing and spending time with family and friends, attending her grandchildren's hockey games and is a season ticket holder to the Soo Greyhounds.