Better Farming February 2017

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4 Dig Deeper: Better Farming February 2017
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Andrea M. Gal, PhD 888-248-4893, ext 201
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Jennifer Jackson 888-248-4893, ext 214
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Jim Algie, Campbell Cork, Dale Cowan, Rachel
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The business of Ontario agriculture
Cover photos: Jim Algie photo,
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DEAR READER: LETTERS FROM A FAMILY FARM
Remembering my school
As a child, I attended Innerkip Central School,
which was about a 20-minute drive frommy family
farm. The school was small and had modest enrol-
ment levels.
In my years there, the school typically had only
one class per grade level. (There were a few years
when a given grade level could have a class and a half
– with a grade five class, for example, alongside a
grade five/six split.) I knew everyone in my grade, as
well as many of the other students.
The school’s close proximity to my home meant that my parents could pick
me up after basketball games or musical theatre practices. Mom could serve on
the parent council. My school friends were only a short drive away, since the
school drew students from a relatively small geographic area.
I honestly believe I can thank a number of elementary school teachers for help-
ing me to become the person I am today.
Mrs. Stock, my first-grade teacher, assigned us daily reading homework – and
my mother swore Mrs. Stock’s class fostered my love of reading. (There’s always a
novel or two on my nightstand at home.)
Mrs. McKenzie , my third-grade teacher, helped me to develop self-confidence
as a shy young girl.
Mr. Hall, my sixth-grade teacher, inspired my passion for writing and history.
He hammered home the importance of spelling and grammar. (I think his
teachings might be the reason I shuddered over the poorly-written essays I
marked as a university teaching assistant.)
Mr. Hall also had a remarkable level of enthusiasm for Canadian history that
he shared with his students. His lessons about the War of 1812 came alive with
the rearranged desks and the wooden muskets. (Although I’m uncertain if such
theatrics would still be permitted in schools today!)
Small rural schools – like the one I attended – are currently in the spotlight
because of the provincial government’s proposals to close and consolidate schools.
In this month’s main feature, writer JimAlgie explores these potential closures,
the impact on rural communities and families, and the protest efforts. Hopefully,
rural students will still be able to learn from passionate teachers, participate in a
range of extracurricular activities, and develop a strong sense of community and
citizenship as the nature of Ontario’s schools continues to evolve. BF
ANDREA M. GAL
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
61%
30%
Health & physical
education teachers Music teachers Teacher-librarians
30%
44%
52%
60%
70%
SPECIALIST TEACHERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSSource: People for Education’s 2016 Annual Report on Ontario’s Publicly Funded Schools
urban/suburban rural/small town