Cecile Gerwing has been called a lot of things by parents—all of them good. “Kind,” “patient,” “loving,” “compassionate” and “borderline superhero,” just to name a few. Parents admire her grace under fire and ability to calmly direct a buzzing class of three-, four- and five-year-old kids, all of whom have some level of behavioural challenge, learning disability, English-as-a-second-language need or gifted classification—one happy parent even called her an “air traffic controller.” They also note her almost superhuman ability to organize special events. In addition to studying for a master’s degree, raising her own four kids and including the individual learning styles of every child in her teaching, Gerwing also takes her class on multiple field trips and this past year hosted a Mother’s Day tea, family fitness night, Father’s Day event, pajama parties for parents and kids, and other events. And she also enjoys doing the little things that make a day special: One St. Patrick’s Day she painted tiny green feet all over the classroom while the kids were out at recess and told them that a leprechaun had come to visit. “The children loved this!” says Melissa Major, whose son Joshua, 4, was in Gerwing’s class last year.
But most of all, parents appreciate the individual attention that Gerwing gives to their children and the unbelievable progress they experience while under her instruction. “My son went into Pre-Kindergarten not being able to communicate very well at all… With the help of Mme. Gerwing, he no longer needs a speech therapist,” says Major. And Sherry Skocylas, mom of Charlene, 5, adds, “I have been so amazed at the amount of knowledge that my daughter has gained from just 10 short months of Pre-K that I cannot even begin to list off all the jaw-dropping information she has come home with and shared with me.” Jennifer Wasner notes that her son Koen, 4, has been able to succeed in his struggles with focus and concentration and a frontal lisp. “With the patience, love and understanding of Mme. Gerwing, Koen has been able to overcome the large majority of our concerns.”
Cecile Gerwing on Play, Plans and Perspective
CF: What is your general perspective and approach to teaching?
Cecile Gerwing: As a teacher, you are many things to the children you teach. My greatest desire is to engage each student on a daily basis and to instill curiosity, creativity and learning into each lesson. I try to learn as much from my students as they will learn from me. It is vital that the children see me as a learner as well, (and) I understand that they have something worth teaching to others.
CF: What do you love most about your job?
CG: I love how excited children are about learning. The simplest activities often develop into grand adventures. You never know where you might end up when you view life through the eyes of a four-year-old.
CF: What was your most eye-opening teaching moment?
CG: My husband once answered a knock on our door at midnight. Standing in the doorway was one of my Grade 1 students. He wanted to know if Mrs. Gerwing wanted to go skating. At the time I lived across from an outdoor skating rink in a small community. I heard my husband telling the child, “I’m sorry Mrs. Gerwing is sleeping.” Here he was, six years old, out skating at midnight with some cousins. It was then I realized I needed to look at the whole child not just the academic child. Sometimes our agenda and plans need to be put in perspective. How important is learning to read when you have bigger things—like taking care of yourself at the age of six—to worry about?
CF: What makes a good student?
CG: It’s important to raise kids who are not afraid to take chances, who are curious and want to explore. Don’t give your children all the answers—guide them, yes, but let them make discoveries on their own. Help them become critical thinkers. We have access to amazing technology, but children need time to entertain themselves with toys or objects that do not need to be plugged in.
