2024 Teacher Retirees

I started my teaching career in 1991 in Coronation, Alberta. I next moved to Grassy Lake School in Grassy Lake and from there transferred to D.A. Ferguson Middle School in Taber for three years. After teaching in Taber my wife and I moved to Japan for two years to teach English. Upon return from Japan, I was hired by the Medicine Hat School Division in 1998 and have taught at Crescent Heights High School for twenty-six years. My wife, Leslee, also teaches in the Medicine Hat School Division. We have two children Jane and Quinn. My daughter Jane is currently nursing in British Columbia and my son Quinn is studying accounting in Calgary. I am looking forward to fishing a lot more and hopefully doing some traveling. I would like to thank all my colleagues that I have worked with over the years that have made my job enjoyable.

Mark journey in education began in Olds in 1992, his first teaching position was with grade 5 and 6 students. From there his passion lead him to become a vice principal, first in a small rural school, then expanding his scope at a K-12 school. The year 2000 was a turning point, as he became principal at W.R. Myers High School in Taber. This launched 11 memorable years of leading high schools across three different communities. 

After putting his leadership skills to the test at Alberta Education, Mark was appointed deputy superintendent of Peace Wapiti School Division. It was clear his talents were the perfect fit for MHPSD, where he started as superintendent in April of 2016. 

Education wasn't just his career, it was a family passion. Mark beams with pride when talking about his wife Holly, a fellow teacher, and their four amazing kids, Kiera, Bryden, Ridley, and Ava, who range from young adults launching their own journeys to his youngest daughter about to embark on her post secondary adventure

After 32 impactful years in Alberta education, Mark's ready for a new chapter. He's retiring, but not slowing down! He, Holly, and their youngest daughter are setting off for their next big thing. Mark will take the role of superintendent of New Westminster Schools, Holly will teach and their daughter will start her post-secondary studies. New adventures for the whole family. 

I began my teaching career at CHHS in the fall of 1993.  My first year I had a .26 contract and did lots of subbing at the school.  The following year I was on a full time contract and have been at CHHS for a total of 31 years.  I coached a few different sports but mainly volleyball for 25 years, both the senior high boys and the grade 7 junior high boys.  I was also known as “the voice of the Vikings” as I have been the official announcer and DJ for all of our high school sports home games.

I have a few memorable moments as I went on trips to Québec, Montréal and Ottawa with grade 9 students on three different occasions.  I went in 1994, 2010 and 2016.  I also went to Europe with 25 high school students in 2009 and to Costa Rica in 2012 with 25 different students.  One major highlight actually happened in my last year of teaching.  This year I was given a new class that I never taught before called the History of Rock and Roll.  In this group I had 3 out of the 4 members of a band called the Cruisers.  During the last class of the quarter, I filled up the theater with 300 junior high students and the Cruisers agreed to put on a concert with me as their drummer because their regular drummer is in grade 6 at Connaught School.  The crowd was amazing and the Cruisers put on a great show.  It was a super way to end this History of Rock and Roll class!

My plans for retirement are to try to see my children more often and spend some time with my step grandchildren.  I will be a substitute teacher for the next 2 years until my wife retires from the city.  At this point, as long as we have our health, we would like to continue with our passion for travel.  We can now travel when the prices are much cheaper than in the high season.

In conclusion, my former principal, and now a trustee for MHPSD (Pat Grisonich) always told us that the most important thing is to build relationships.  He was 100% correct with that and I have worked on building relationships with my students, their parents and my colleagues throughout my career.  I feel that I have established good connections with many people that I have built relationships with over my 31 years at CHHS.

In August 1994, I began the cross-country journey from Ottawa, Ontario to the unknown-to-me city of Medicine Hat, Alberta.  I had been offered a position at Crescent Heights High School in a province I had never visited.  Seeing as it was the end of August, with no other job prospects in sight, I accepted.  Little did I know that I would set up my life for the next 30 years in a place called ‘The Gas City’.

I taught French Immersion at CHHS from 1994-2010.  I coached Cross Country running and became the French Immersion Lead Teacher.  After 16 years, it was time for a change.  I transferred to Ecole Connaught School, where I went from teaching young adults how to prepare for Diploma Exams to teaching Grade 3 students how to log into Google Classroom.  This year will mark my 14th year at Connaught.

Now it’s time for a new chapter in my life.  I will be moving to Victoria, BC to be closer to my children (who both attend UBC in Vancouver).  I plan on filling my days with running by the ocean, paddleboarding, going to the gym, surfing and hiking.  Oh- and visiting my aforementioned children!

I want to thank my family, friends and colleagues who have supported me through the trials and tribulations of this wonderful, exhausting, rewarding and ever-changing career of teaching.  I have appreciated my journey, and am ready to see what life holds in store for me!

Ed Kruger started his teaching career at Montreal Street School in September of 1995. The school was closed in June, so Mr. Kruger was relocated to Elm Street School.

How fitting it is that he ends his career at Elm Street School this June. Mr. Kruger is looking forward to continuing to see the amazing children and wonderful staff of Elm Street School next school year when he returns to classrooms in the division as a part time substitute teacher.

I began my teaching career with Division #76 in 2014. Before earning my degree from the University of Alberta, I had been an employee of the Division since 1995. My teaching adventure began at Ecole Connaught School, where I dedicated nine wonderful years nurturing Grade 3 learners. I am truly grateful for the unwavering support given by my family and friends. I am certain that none of this would have been achievable without each one of you standing by my side, encouraging me every step of the journey. I am grateful for the unforgettable moments and experiences shared with my colleagues. I will truly miss all of you and will keep you in my thoughts. I am looking forward to spending quality time with Michael, seeing our four children, and enjoying time with our seven grandchildren. We have some exciting travel plans ahead and will treasure the moments we have together. It has been an incredible journey, and I will always cherish the memories created during this chapter of my life forever close to my heart.

Sue convocated from the U of L with her BEd on May 27, 1994 and her MEd in Inclusive Education and Neuroscience 20 years later on May 29th, 2014. 

She had the privilege of beginning her teaching career at Montreal Street School in the fall of 1994. At that time, It was the oldest operating elementary school in the city. It opened its doors to the many children of the Flats community in 1904 and closed its doors officially at the end of June in 1997. She taught a Learning Assistance Program and music there for 3 years. 

In the fall of 1997, Sue and her LAP program moved with the crew to Elm Street School. With the closure of Montreal Street,  Elm Street became the oldest operating elementary school in the city, opening in 1911. Elm St. is currently still operating, doing amazing things to serve the River Flats community.  Sue taught music for a few more years and LAP for another 16. When the flood of 2013 hit Medicine Hat, Elm Street was in the evacuation zone. The school year and her LAP program that was scheduled to close at the end of June, was suddenly over 2 weeks before the end of that year. That was a SAD day. When school resumed that fall, Sue taught grade 4 and then filled the roles of Learning Coach and Classroom Support Teacher at Elm until June of 2023. As those roles were only .5, Sue became a jack of all trades teaching a variety of classes, subjects and grade levels to cover preps for the rest of the school. She also taught .5 Kindergarten and .5 Grade 2 during that time. At the end of last year, she was told that she would be moving from Elm St. to River Heights for her final year. After not being in a classroom full time in 8 years, she has spent the year in grade 2 with 24 students. She says the experience has been fantastic BUT has quickly been reminded of how busy 7 and 8 year olds are and has admitted that Friday has become the earliest night of the week to be in bed.

Sue says she will cherish the many memories she has from the past 30 years. There was never a dull moment or day! The smallest steps made by students were always the greatest rewards! She worked with hundreds of kids over her career. Some were tough but were incredible in their own special and unique ways. Some went on to experience great success and others just couldn’t overcome the barriers or situations that they were in - most, not by choice. Regardless, she was on their team, their cheerleader, and their number one fan!

Sue is full of gratitude for the many amazing colleagues she was fortunate to work with and was mentored by. These people are inspiring and extraordinary. There is no way that she could have made it this far without them, as we all know, this is a profession that can’t be navigated alone.

To my fellow retirees, Congratulations! I hope you are able to relax a little at first, and then go full throttle doing all of the “Things” and “Stuff” that make you happy!! 

Final Words: What a ride it has been! Let the next leg of our journeys begin, and may they be full of fun, games and shenanigans!

Sheldon began his teaching career in the fall of 1992, teaching Math and Science on a temporary contract at Medicine Hat High School (the same school from which he himself had graduated in 1985). That was followed by a couple of months of substitute teaching, a little over two years facilitating independent studies in the Evening Learning Lab at MHHS, and two more years of teaching Science. In 1997, he finally got the opportunity to begin teaching in his primary area of interest, Social Studies. Apart from three very interesting and rewarding semesters as an interim guidance counselor, Sheldon remained in the Social Studies Department for the next twenty-seven years. In addition to teaching Social Studies, Sheldon was also involved in the co-curricular life of MHHS, working for a while with the Speech and Debate Club, advising the Peer Support Team for several years, and, most significantly, helping to organize the MHHS graduation functions for the last three decades. What Sheldon always found most enjoyable and rewarding about his career was simply being in the classroom with his students, having conversations with them about history and society, and watching them become more informed, engaged, and responsible citizens. After a 32-year career, however, he is eagerly anticipating the promise that retirement brings to liberate his evenings and weekends from planning and marking responsibilities, and to finally having more time to spend with his family and other interests. Sheldon is profoundly grateful for the opportunities afforded to him throughout his career, and for the relationships built with students and colleagues. They will all will be missed.

As I contemplate a new chapter in my life, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and reflection. For nearly four decades, Crestwood has been more than just a workplace for me; it has been my second home, my sanctuary of learning, and the canvas upon which I have painted the story of my career. My journey began 1989 when I stepped into Crestwood as an Educational Assistant. Those early years were foundational, shaping my understanding of education and instilling in me a passion for helping students realize their full potential. Every day was a lesson in compassion, patience, and the transformative power of education. But life is an ever-evolving journey, and I felt the call to take the next step in my own educational odyssey. So, with determination in my heart, I embarked on the pursuit of my Bachelor's degree in Education at the University of Alberta. It was a challenging yet immensely rewarding endeavor, one that expanded my horizons and equipped me with the tools to lead in the classroom. Armed with newfound knowledge and a steadfast commitment to making a difference, I returned to Crestwood, this time as a certified teacher. My time at Herald School teaching Kindergarten marked the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with laughter, curiosity, and the boundless energy of young minds eager to learn. Who would have thought my first teaching position would be next door to my sister Lori. But fate had other plans, guiding me back to Crestwood, where I spent 17 fulfilling years in the senior LAP classroom. It was here that I discovered the true essence of teaching—the art of unlocking potential, nurturing resilience, and fostering a love for learning that transcends the confines of a classroom. And then, in my final act as an educator, I embraced the challenge of teaching grade three—a role that brought new joys, new triumphs, and new memories to cherish. These past four years have been a testament to the enduring power of education to shape lives and inspire greatness. As I bid farewell to Crestwood, I am reminded not of endings but of beginnings. For while my time as a teacher may be drawing to a close, the legacy of love, learning, and laughter that we have built together will endure for generations to come. To my colleagues, thank you for your unwavering support, your boundless creativity, and your tireless dedication to our shared mission. To my students, past and present, thank you for teaching me as much as I’ve taught you, for your curiosity, your courage, and your unbridled enthusiasm for life. And to Crestwood, my second home, my sanctuary of learning, and the place where dreams take flight—thank you for the memories, the milestones, and the moments that have made this journey truly unforgettable. As I embark on this new chapter of my life, I do so with a heart full of gratitude, a mind filled with memories, and a spirit forever inspired by the transformative power of education.

Thank you.