Monday, April 1, 2024
I started the very first day of my teaching career at Wayoata School in Transcona- Springfield. I was twenty- four years of age and climbed the stairs to the open area classrooms found at the top of those stairs. Prior to students arriving - I had spent the previous two weeks getting myself and my classroom ready for that first day. I found out where my classroom was located, where to find the text books, chalk,etc. and where the other open area teachers were located. In total - there were six classrooms plus a resource teacher classroom to be found upstairs. As one of the newbies on staff, I could not have asked to be in a better school surrounded by superb teachers. They were kind, enthusiastic and so willing to share information and techniques. One of the open area teachers was Brenda Johnston. As the year progressed we came to know that we both lived in Transcona and that we would be taking extra courses at the University of Manitoba - together with three other Wayoata teachers. Carpooling was a hit and I never had to guess whether Brenda was outside my house because she drove this massive green Ford Thunderbird - and I mean massive. When I first saw it, I thought it was a school bus. Brenda was totally committed to giving her best to her students and wanting the best for them. However, teaching was second place on her list. Number one were her boys Keith and Kyle- she loved them with her whole being! Brenda and I were also part of the Bernie Wolfe staff. At both schools she took on extra curricular activities. One of those activities was jam pail curling which both Brenda and the students loved. Not everything at school was serious and there were countless times of gut-wrenching laughter - Brenda had just the best laugh. We had the good fortune to do some out of school socializing as well as socializing after retirement. I, together with so many others, miss her. Rest in peace Brenda! Dennis McGavock
