A Teacher's Insight - Susanne O’Brien

Good Evening,

How nice it is to see so many teachers and those working in the education field here this evening. Thank you all so much for being here.

I was asked to speak to you this evening about Paula as a professional and do so with much love and pleasure. However, before I get that far, I have to take you on a quick walk down memory lane, so that you might get a better understanding of who Paula was as a girl, and how the past influenced the teacher she became.

I knew Paula all my life. Some of my earliest memories were of her and I playing Barbies together as most young girls do. She would come to my house with her little blue suitcase full of meticulously maintained doll clothes and her Barbies with their hair well groomed and set in braids, and wait patiently while I pulled my Barbie from under the bed, hair askew and knotted, then help me give the doll a haircut so it once again looked presentable. Patience….Understanding….Tolerance….virtues she demonstrated that would later help her in her chosen career.

Then there were the days spent re-creating “it”, or “it it”, our code of course for our two favourite shows, Dukes of Hazard and Fame. Fame was our ultimate favourite, and we’d sing and dance for hours, with our record player, Paula as Coco and me playing Doris. I thinks this speaks to the professional she became – a teacher dedicated to teaching through the Arts. Creativity….Drama….Flair....again, traits necessary for an effective teacher.

As she grew up, Paula stayed active in dance and art – skills she would hone to be the creator that she was.

I wasn’t at all surprised when Paula chose teaching as her career. She spoke passionately about the philosophy of education, the methods courses that were so important and continued to add a spark of creativity so vital to the profession. A teacher was born.

I didn’t have the opportunity to work directly with Paula, but that didn’t stop me from getting a very clear picture of the professional she became. When we did come together, discussions about learners, funny stories, successful students and a clear passion for work, was obvious.

Aside from the influences in childhood, the creative opportunities available to her from home, the course work at school and the passion shown at work, I can stand here tonight and easily reflect on the empathetic, passionate and professional teacher that was Paula. You see, after her horrific murder, my Mom helped Lynn one day in Paula’s classroom. Not knowing who to bestow with some of her precious materials, to my utter joy, Lynn and Mom filled a tub with resources from Paula’s classroom, resources that to another teacher, spoke volumes about who she was in the classroom. I was elated to become the recipient of many Math and Language Arts resources, books that motivate, correct and allow for so much creativity amongst the students. I was able to share these within my school and teachers use them frequently. Then I pulled out posters, decorations and notepads. All of these spoke to enhancing the classroom, making it a colourful, fun, cooperative place to be. The most beloved and telling thing to me though were the stamps and stamp pads that now take pride of place on my desk. Every theme, occasion, character and motivational thought you can think of, are represented. Here was a teacher who thought so much of her students that she had multitudes of simple yet effective items to motivate and strengthen their school experience. A dedicated professional, who showed with simple tools her dedication, empathy, strength and passion. Now, I only have to look at them to stay motivated, inspired and committed, just as Paula was.

Thank You.