Cumberland NSTU local honours six retiring teachers

The Cumberland Local of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union recently recognized six retiring teachers with a reception at a downtown restaurant.
Kelly Parker of Pugwash District High and Patty Shanks of Cyrus Eaton were recognized along with Don Gamblin of Advocate District School, Pat Hillier of E.B. Chandler Junior High, Trudy O’Neill of Spring Street Academy and Dale Porter from Amherst Regional High School.
“Once you decide to do it there’s a lot of paperwork that has to be done, but once it’s done it puts a whole new perspective on the last few months. I’ve had a great career. I’ve worked with a lot of great people and fantastic students,” Gamblin said. “I have absolutely no regrets.”
Gamblin, who taught for 36 years, said he has no regrets with his decision. He said he began compiling a list of things he needed to do in retirement.
“The list is pretty long and I’m looking forward to getting started,” he said.
Hillier, who taught for 37 years (including 17 years in Cumberland County), said she’s looking forward to retirement. She said she’s most looking forward to being able to read a book from start to finish when it’s not July and August.
“It’s a busy profession. Just having more than three or four days in row to do something when it’s not July or August is going to nice,” she said.
Trudy O’Neill admitted she found the decision to retire very difficult.
“Every day I go into my job and I love it,” she said. “I love the gift I get from all those little people I work with every day.”
Porter started teaching 32 years ago in Guysborough and eventually made his way to Parrsboro, to E.B. Chandler and then finally to ARHS.
Porter, who retired in February, said he misses working with the students and the friends he made on staff at ARHS.
“I’m going to miss scaring the crap out of Charlie (Chambers). I’m going to miss our talks in the doorways and those discussions about the education system today,” he said. “There aren’t many careers you can say you enjoyed going to every day, but this was one of them.”
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