White Bear Education Complex has welcomed four new teachers to their family this year, including two veterans and two rookies.
Hailing from Canupawakpa Dakota First Nations, Noella Eagle is in her 27th year of teaching.
Having started as a substitute, Eagle slowly worked her way into full-time teaching, and moved from there into administration.
After several years administering in the education system, Eagle decided it was time for a break, so she has returned to the classroom, a place she admits she has always loved.
"I came back to teaching to get a break from administration," Eagle said. "After years of administration, deciding on books for students, designing programs and curriculum, you get kind of tired, and kind of separated."
"I came back to teaching to remind myself why I wanted to be in that role in the first place," Eagle said. "In the end it's about the children, and their educational needs."
"It is always all about the children for me."
Along with Eagle, another veteran teacher who joined the WBEC staff is James Herceg.
With 11 years of teaching behind him, Herceg had been working for the Ile' a' La' Crosse school for the majority of those 11 years.
"I enjoy eating Chinese food, and short walks downhill," the grinning Herceg joked. "Downhill, never uphill."
When told his photo would not be taken on a beach, the jokster said he felt he had wasted his time wearing his speedo to work that day.
"I thought we were going to be taking the photos at the beach," Herceg laughed. "That's why you should always ask before you pack your speedo!"
Definitely a teacher who will be keeping his students smiling, Herceg said more seriously he has so far been enjoying his new post and the students he is dealing with.
One of the two newer teachers to join the staff is Cynthia Pelletier.
Pelletier is now in her second year of teaching, having taught at the school at Onion Lake for her first year.
Asked how she found her way down to this corner of the province, Pelletier said that her husband, who is from the Yorkton area originally, had much to do with making up her mind.
"He said the area was beautiful, and there would be a lot of great things to do," Pelletier said. "So far it has been great, much better than Onion Lake."
The last of the quartet of new faces is Raeanne Donaldson from Flin Flon, MB.
A brand new teacher just into her first year of teaching, Donaldson said the decision to come to this corner of the province was an easy one for her thanks to her desire to teach.
"I didn't want to go the usual route of subbing for a few years first," Donaldson explained. "I really wanted to be in the classroom, and coming here to White Bear offered me that opportunity to get right to teaching."
"I've always wanted to teach, and now that I'm done school, it was great to have the opportunity to dive right in." Donaldson said. "I'm really enjoying the kids, and the community has been wonderful and very supportive so far."
