Video Transcription
From the mid-19th to the mid-20th Century, one-room schools were commonplace throughout rural Lambton County where everyone in school, from grade 1 to grade 8 would share one teacher and one classroom. Many of the schools did not have electricity or indoor plumbing, and were heated by wood stoves.
Around the turn of the 20th century, rural one-room schoolhouses began to close. Larger buildings provided better educational opportunities and higher quality instruction. But there remained one common thing from the old one room school house to the new fancy brick buildings.
Many have argued that Teachers are the most important members of our community. They build a warm environment, mentor and nurture students, become role models, introduce students to new ideas and topics, and try to expand their interests.
There have been many teachers through the years of education in Lambton County who have left a lasting impact…and one of those was Dr. Sheila Rose.
Born and raised in Petrolia, Dr. Sheila was a proud graduate of Jubilee School and the Petrolia District High School. While in Grade 8 she won the Lambton County public speaking contest in 1957.
Sheila completed her teaching degree at the London Teachers College in 1969 and started a successful teaching career at St. Philip’s School in Petrolia. As a Grade 4/5 teacher at St. Philip’s she developed the Cana-Kits project to promote the teaching and learning of social studies. Cana-kits are a collection of stories, pictures, taped interviews, newspaper clippings and crafts collected by children to explain their town and life. The nearly 200 classrooms across Canada were twinned so that every year you would learn about a different town.
For her work, she was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1980. The Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation
She completed her doctorate at the University of Connecticut in 1988. In 1989 she moved to the Yukon to take up the position of Director of Curriculum at the Department of Education.
Her Love of community continued in Whitehorse where she was especially active in local, national and international organizations devoted to school feeding programs. For her community-building efforts, Sheila was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Doctor Sheila Rose passed away in 2014.
We salute Dr. Sheila Rose and the many fantastic teachers through the years in Lambton County. You truly are our Hometown Heroes.
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