It鈥檚 an opportunity that Rutland Senior Secondary (RSS) teacher Carrie Devlin has been waiting six years for.
A chance to walk in the footsteps of Canadian soldiers who fought in both world wars and pass the experience on to her students. Devlin is a participant, with 20 other teachers across Canada, in the Juno Beach Centre Summer Institute and Battlefield Tour from July 29 to August 5.
They will travel through Belgium and Northern France for professional development training on the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. Participants were selected based on their applications and how their teaching of Canadian history will be enhanced in their school and community.
鈥淚鈥檝e been inquiring about it since 2018 or so,鈥� she said.
The program was put on hold during the pandemic but was re-established for 2024.
Devlin has been an educator for 33 years in School District #23, spending the last eight at RSS teaching Grade 9-10 Social Studies. She has a passion to see the places she teaches about and bring back her experiences to her students.
鈥淭he best teaching comes through sharing stories. I can tell the kids what this place was like and how I felt when I stood on those beaches.鈥�
There is also a personal connection.
鈥淢y grandfather served in the First World War,鈥� Devlin explained. 鈥淲alking in some of the same areas that he did is exciting to me.鈥�
Devlin noted that it鈥檚 important for younger generations to understand the significance of both wars and their effects on the world. She specifically referenced the First World War poem written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.
鈥淭hat poem was a calling to Canadians to rally together and the whole idea behind it is passing the torch on.鈥�
With a diverse student population at RSS, including Syrian, Afghan, and Ukrainian refugees, Devlin said they often tackle difficult subjects such as war and racism.
鈥淚 try to give kids a sense of, there are people in our school your age, who are experiencing difficult things. To teach empathy and kindness is important.鈥�
Another teacher from RSS is also participating in the tour. Kayla Kenzie teaches Grade 9-12 Social Studies and English.
鈥淲e鈥檙e planning on putting something together in the fall to teach other teachers in our district what we鈥檝e learned,鈥� Devlin said.
