Miss Churchill’s last day

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Elizabeth Churchill has worn many hats over her education career, all of which she’s worn with a smile. For her, retirement is a bittersweet moment. “Don’t get me wrong, I like my snow days like everybody else,” she said. “But I truly enjoyed getting up and coming to work. I know I’m going to miss it phenomenally.” Chad Feehan photo

Elizabeth Churchill has been Elizabeth Park Elementary’s principal ever since it opened its doors in 2011. The lifelong educator had already spent half a career in the school system before taking on the top post in Paradise. Now she’s rounded out 35 years in the education sphere and will be officially putting away her ruler and chalk at the end of this month.
Before settling into Elizabeth Park Elementary, she began her career as a teacher at Upper Gullies Elementary in 1989 and would eventually move on to teaching and administrative roles at St. George’s Elementary in Long Pond, and Assistant Deputy Minister of Education with the Provincial Government.
Churchill wanted to be a teacher as far back as her earliest childhood years, when she would nearly idolise her teachers.
“I don’t know a day that school and education hasn’t been a part of my life,” she said.
Among the educators who would fuel Churchill’s passion for teaching were Mrs. Frances Toll who taught music and put in many extracurricular hours at Bishops College.
“She was phenomenal in giving her time and dedication to students, so I always looked up to her and learned a lot from her,” Churchill said.
Churchill said she also learned a lot from her fellow teachers, and the students themselves, especially when she was teaching children in the early grades.
“I’ve had many, many opportunities to learn and grow,” she said. “I’m the principal but I’m probably the biggest learner here. Every child I meet teaches me something.”
Churchill cited the Golden Rule as one of the most profound life lessons she’s absorbed from her 35 years in education, and always tried to have a cup-half-full attitude about the many challenges and circumstances she found herself in.
Considering herself lucky to work in a “wonderful school with wonderful families,” Churchill said she tried to focus on students’ strengths and finding the good in every situation and every person.
“Every person wants to do well,” she said. “No matter how big the problem or challenge it can be solved, but do it in a respectful way.”
As she moves into retirement, Churchill reflected on the benefits of giving students responsibility in the classroom, from setting classroom rules themselves to how they present information.
She said what may work for one student doesn’t necessarily work for another, and she’d give her students even more decision making abilities if she was to do it all again.

Nothing affects learning, she said, more than the feeling of ownership.
“We don’t give credit sometimes to little kids. They’re quite intelligent when you ask them for their views,” said Churchill. “Content is one thing, but more importantly we teach people how to learn and how to understand themselves.”
Retirement is going to feel like a vacation at first, which will certainly be spent travelling and spending time at the cabin with her husband Jeff who is also retiring this year.
Beyond that, Churchill aims to remain involved with the community by continuing to volunteer at the Autism Society and working with children in one form or another.
So even in retirement, she’ll be making children an important part of her life.
“I still have tons of books I want to share and read with children,” she said. “I’m not sure how it’s going to look, but if anyone is looking for someone to work with children, I’ll be there.”