As the last bell of the year rings it will mark the end of a 22-year career for Drumheller Valley Secondary School senior high social studies teacher, Owen Neal.
Over these 22 years, Neal has taught in Taber, Vauxhall, and lastly but not least, Drumheller, teaching social studies to junior and senior high students.
“I’m going to miss the staff and the daily interaction with the students who kept me young and somewhat vital all these years,” said Neal, with a bit of a chuckle.
Neal said he got into teaching because of his fascination for events of the past.
“History was really my first love. Growing up I used to listen to stories from old homesteader’s and war verterans. I loved learning their values and how they developed and fought for the Canada as we know it, and I always tried to communicate [these lessons] to my students,” said Neal.
Obtaining his history and education degrees at the University of Calgary, Neal also worked in the banking world, with Scotiabank, between teaching positions. Taking some business in school in Lethbridge, Neal has been able to bring this knowledge to the classroom.
“I’ve done a lot of business work with my students. I helped develop a financial management course at the school. My two sons, who have degrees in computer science, and I created an online stock market program, which I am considering marketing,” said Neal.
He said the changes in technology has been incredible in these 22 years, but he finds it nice in the classroom for everybody to be able to participate in an interactive way.
“The biggest challenge of my career has been keeping up with these little buckaroo’s, staying relevant and remaining patient,” said Neal.
Neal said he doesn’t have any special plans for retirement but he will probably be popping in at DVSS to substitute teach from time to time.
“We had our goodbye and we were all very sad. He was an excellent social studies teacher,” said Curtis LaPierre, Principal of Drumheller Valley Secondary School. “Mr. Neal was always looked up to for his intellect and humour and he had a different way of looking at things. We are really going to miss that.”
