Jim Thomas
Columns
December 04, 2008 08:06 PM
Jim Thomas
When it comes to education, Stouffville’s extremely fortunate. Two new schools opened their doors for the first time in September.
Staff, parents and children have every right to be proud.
But bricks and mortar don’t make a school. It’s quality within that creates an atmosphere for learning; a sense of achievement; a record of success.
The key to each is leadership. In principal Beverley Madigan, Stouffville District Secondary School has unearthed a jewel.
In only a few months, SDSS has taken giant strides towards attaining the ultimate in knowledge and integrity, that, thanks to Ms Madigan, is plainly perceptive 10 steps inside the front door.
I hear it everywhere. From staff and custodians, from students and parents. It’s a welcoming place where visitors, strangers or friends are received with smiles and handshakes. With Beverley Madigan first in line.
Two weeks ago, I walked down one of the halls just as our national anthem was being played. No one moved. Minutes later, announcements were broadcast over the school’s PA. Again, all stood still. Hard to believe but true.
Last week, I attended a student gourmet dinner hosted by teacher Bill Edmondson and 15 student helpers. It was a marvelous evening with all receipts directed to providing a similar service at Stouffville’s Parkview Home. Again, Beverley Madigan was front and centre.
Who is this superlative principal who so swiftly has placed Stouffville Secondary on a pedestal of education excellence?
Born in Timmins, Beverley Roe, then aged four, moved with her parents, Neil and Ruth Roe, and sister Allison to Sault Ste. Marie. Following graduation from Mount St. Joseph College, she attended Laurentian University in Sudbury where she received a degree in mathematics and business. Later, she obtained an education degree at the University of Toronto, followed by a master’s degree also at U of T.
As far back as she can remember, teaching was her chosen profession.
“I recall, as a little girl, walking up and down the halls of the high school in Sault Ste. Marie where my father was a guidance counselor and saying to myself ‘this is what I want to do’”
Aided by the fact her father and sister were teachers, she never lost sight of this goal.
Beverley’s first position was in Aurora, then Middifield Collegiate in Markham where she served as the computer science department head. In addition, on Saturdays, she was the school administrator for the international language program.
At Sir William Mulock in Newmarket, she was York Region’s first female department head of technological education.
Before coming to SDSS as the school’s vice-principal, Beverley taught at Huron Heights in Newmarket and Alexander Mackenzie in Richmond Hill.
She is passionate about Stouffville “where neighbours know one another and see their school as an important resource”.
She’s equally passionate about people, young people in particular.
“I strongly believe in a philosophy of working together to achieve success,” she said. “We continue to build a professional learning community at Stouffville, where we support each other. Together, we can significantly influence positive change.”
Beverley describes the student body at the school as “amazing”.
While difficult to imagine, Beverley does have a life beyond the walls of SDSS. She and husband Kim have traveled, to Africa, Switzerland, California and Arizona.
Their family circle includes a Chesapeake retriever and two rag-doll cats. Both Bev and Kim are avid photographers. They enjoy each other’s gourmet cooking. Kim’s also an enthusiastic angler. A desk photo of hubby holding a 36-lb. salmon is proof positive of his skill.
But for Beverley, watching a future generation parade before her eyes is satisfaction enough.
“They’re polite, they’re respectful,” she said. “I’ve never seen their equal.”
Jim Thomas is a Stouffville resident who has written for area newspapers for more than 50 years.