PREECEVILLE — The week of Feb. 9-13, four staff members at Preeceville School were honoured for achieving milestones in their teaching careers. The school acknowledged the staff in front of a full-school assembly on Feb. 10, with Leslea Hanson, vice-principal, and Mindy Meadows, principal, speaking briefly about each staff member’s career and Lorissa Petras, SCC president, presenting gifts to each recipient.
Tammy Heskin, administration staff, was acknowledged for her 25 years of service.
After graduation, Tammy Heskin attended Parkland College, enrolling in the Office Education program, as well as a few other courses over the years, including a Medical Language course and Firearm Safety Instructor Course, while belonging to a variety of volunteer groups and committees. She ran a daycare out of her home for a while and taught three-year-old nursery school for a few years, as well as waitressing on and off, before finding her career path.
Heskin started by acquiring work experience subbing with the Timberline School Division (as admin assistant, EA and caretaker). This was prior to Jan. 25, 2000, when she started her full-time job with the Kamsack School Division as administrative assistant at Fort Livingstone School in Pelly.
During that time, a lot of changes were happening; Kamsack School Division amalgamated with Timberline School Division and became Eastland Lakes School Division, and then a third amalgamation happened to become what is now Good Spirit School Division.
Between 2015-17, she worked part time at both FLS in Pelly and KCI in Kamsack. After Fort Livingstone School closed, she worked full time at KCI until 2021, when she transferred to Preeceville School, where staff have enjoyed her presence in the office for the last few years.
“Along the way, she has met many wonderful staff, parents and students and is thankful to have acquired many amazing experiences and a lot of memories,” stated Heskin. She has been blessed to have belonged to wonderful Wildcat, Spartan and now Panther communities and hopes to continue with her career as long as possible!”
Calla Erickson was acknowledged for her 25 years of service.
Erickson started her career with two temporary positions in what was then the Potashville School Division in 1999. Her first job was a Grade 5 position in Esterhazy, doing a maternity leave for her Grade 4 teacher right next door to my dad, who was also a Grade 5 teacher. Then she taught from February until June in Langenburg, Grades 7, 8 and 9 social studies and work experience.
In the fall of 2000, Erickson secured a permanent position in Norquay (Crystal Lakes School Division) teaching Grade 6. Her position in Norquay was cut at the end of that school year, so she was transferred to Preeceville to Grade 5, where she has primarily stayed since 2001. She has also taught modified math, elementary phys. ed., and Grade 6 arts ed. Crystal Lakes SD became Eastland Lakes SD and then Good Spirit SD in 2006, and she remained through all that. Mrs. Erickson has been involved in many extracurricular sports — junior boys volleyball, junior golf, Grades 4/5/6 soccer, volleyball and curling, Milk Program, SRC and cross-country running.
“I always wanted to be a teacher from a little girl, and even though my dad, who was a teacher for 35 years, tried to deter her from becoming a teacher, I stood my ground and fulfilled her dream and she has loved every moment and challenge along the way,” stated Erickson.
She says, “Teaching keeps you curious—every year brings new students and new challenges. Our job is the base of every other career. We are so integral to the future of every one of our students. We build connections with students, families, and colleagues creating a a sense of community and purpose. Teaching isn’t just a job, we as teachers are so much more than that in many student’s lives. It is absolutely unbelievable to me that I have been teaching for 25 years.”
Donna Hamilton was acknowledged for her 20 years of service.
Hamilton started teaching in 1993 for the Wadena School Division for two years. She then moved to La Loche and taught at Dene High School for five years. She later moved to Vancouver, where she taught at Fraser Academy, a private school for students with learning disabilities. In addition, she taught Mathematics 12 at Vancouver School Board summer school. While in Vancouver, she completed her Master of Education at UBC.
In 2009, Hamilton moved back to Sturgis and taught at Sturgis Composite High School for one year and since then has taught at Preeceville School. Throughout the years, Ms. Hamilton has mostly taught high school mathematics, physics and computers but has also taught Environmental Science 10, sewing, Mental Health and Wellness, and Indigenous Studies.
During her years teaching at Preeceville School, Ms. Hamilton has coached cross-country running (for all 16 years), curling and badminton. She has also been graduation and yearbook advisor and volunteered in the Breakfast Café.
She is a believer in lifelong learning and has recently completed the courses for a Master of Counselling Psychology.
Hamilton stated “that she really enjoys the students that she teaches. When many people hear that she teaches high school, they comment that it must be really hard, but she always replies that teenagers are great to teach and that she has really nice students. She has been blessed to share the beauty of mathematics with students for many years.”
Leslea Hanson was acknowledged for her 20 years of service.
Hanson started her teaching career in southern Saskatchewan, in Coronach. After five years there, she decided to move back up into the trees and found her place in Preeceville. Miss Hanson spent many years as a classroom teacher, teaching senior ELA and other classes, including Psychology, Commercial Cooking and Mental Health. She also spent five years as a distance learning teacher for the division.
Not being at all athletic, Miss Hanson volunteers her time in organizational roles around the school such as SRC and grad advisor. She has also helped out with the newsletter, Breakfast Café, Education Week, Remembrance Day, Awards Day and other events.
Paying it forward to younger teachers just beginning their journey, Miss Hanson has also hosted three interns during her time at Preeceville School.
Because she enjoys challenging herself and expanding her personal growth, Miss Hanson became the vice-principal at the school in 2019.
Hanson stated, “Even after teaching middle years and high school students for 20 years, she still feels excitement and passion for her chosen career. She is invested in improving the learning experience of students and loves to learn alongside them. Miss Hanson is constantly inspired by the brilliant and creative voices of her students.”
Staff and students concluded the assembly with a fun game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a staff-and-students version. Winners received a free lunch at the Preeceville School’s Panther Café.
