One of Drumheller’s beloved teachers is bidding farewell to full-time teaching.
Lynn Hemming has been a teacher that any high school student, in the past 31 years, of Drumheller Valley Secondary School would not forget.
She has impacted students with more than just teaching the bare minimum. She goes above and beyond by teaching students not only English, but also about life.
Hemming reflects on being a teacher and mentions some of the highlights.
“Honestly, after 33 years there are too many memories to name. Some highlights there have been are the great students. Whether they have been academic students or struggling students, it doesn’t matter, just some really great kids and great relationships. It is hard to summarize 33 years.”
Many students will recall their time in Hemming’s English 30 class. A time where they were soon to graduate and leave the familiar.
Students would walk through her doors, into a highly decorated classroom and feel safe and excited to learn.
Hemming created her famous “snack days” every Friday, where students would bring in a small snack item to share with the class.
This is just one of the traditions Hemming began with her English 30 class.
“Those traditions have been very good memories. If you create some good, interesting traditions, they take on a life of their own. Those are little things that, along the years, have been special.”
The Mail asked Hemming why she thinks these events are so important to her students.
“I think teaching is about two things, building relationships and building a community. When a classroom has positive relationships between the teachers and kids, it becomes a safe place. It is a good place where a classroom becomes a community of learners and not just individual people. It’s not that we learned anything from snack days, it’s the fun about being excited about it that builds community.”
Hemming’s impact on her students can be seen through out the community.
Kortney Giffin, a DVSS grad of 2014, owes part of her decision of pursuing a career in education to Hemming.
“She was a great mentor for me. She was instrumental in showing different ways of teaching and for understanding that every student learns in a different way. Mrs. Hemming played a role in guiding me towards education and I hope to model her teaching methods in my own career as an educator. She will be missed at DVSS,” says the 3rd year, U of A education student.
Hemming not only impacted her students but her colleagues as well. Curtis LaPierre, principal of Drumheller Valley Secondary School is sad to see her go.
“I have worked with Lynn Hemming for 27 years. We, as a staff, are very excited for her to take on new adventures, but also very sad for ourselves, as selfish as that is. She masters everything she does. She is great with teaching English and at counselling. She is also a very strong part of the community. She goes over the top of what needs to be done. It is why she is Citizen of the Year. She has brought so much to this school.”
Hemming plans to substitute and tutor in her time off. She might even volunteer teaching children in Africa.
One thing is for sure, Drumheller Valley Secondary School will miss her bright and cheery smile.
