Torch - 2021 Edition

Farewell

SANDRA NELSON / HEAD OF LANGUAGES

Chers collègues, I am filled with joy, delight and deep

of those magnificent corridors the spirit and presence of all of us and all of those who danced through the halls before us and those who will come bravely and happily and freshly after us. On those evenings, I would stop and wonder at the details of the tremendously talented student art on the walls or at snow falling silently in the North Quad. I would nod a soft goodnight to the night Staff. Still lingering in the air for me were the echoes of morning Prayers and its incredibly beautiful music that often moved me to tears. I did adore my morning walks to school, in crisp autumn, dark winter or tender spring, arriving well-oxygenated and humming the nursing role at Havergal challenged me to broaden the scope of my practice as the range of conditions and situations that cropped up on any given day was so varied. Working independently but with the support and guidance of doctors Bennett and Desson, I’ve become a better nurse. I learned so much over the years, especially related to mental health, anaphylaxis and concussions. I’m proud of the Return to Learn Plan that we have developed at Havergal over the past 8 to 10 years. The Boarding community has a special place in my heart. I enjoyed working closely with the Boarding School Staff, caring for the brave and Math, while coaching sports teams and leading clubs. Her favourite role, however, was as a proud parent to her daughter Ariel Shetzen, Class of 2013. Sindy was an enthusiastic teacher who was always willing to go out of her way to provide extra help for students. Early on, she developed an innovative program in Middle School that focused on writing about mathematics. In later years, she taught senior math classes, including AP Calculus. She will be remembered as a teacher who encouraged her students to believe that they could do math, especially if they didn’t believe they could; who helped make math accessible to students and imbued confidence in their abilities; and who piqued her students’ curiosity about math, as well as their desire to embrace challenges. She enjoyed a great rapport with her colleagues in the Math

for the new day. But at school day’s end, as now at the end of this 30-year teaching career, I feel such wonder and gratitude for

appreciation for my 10 years at Havergal. It was truly a privilege to teach and learn, savour and celebrate amongst you, to support our gifted Languages students in and out of the classroom, in Toronto and abroad, and to witness our community’s many victories, small and grand, as we adventured on, adjusting the sails along the way. My most precious moments at Havergal took place regularly at the end of very long days when I would leave 1451 Avenue Road, which by then had grown strangely quiet and crepuscular. I would feel in the gloaming SHARON MILLER / SCHOOL NURSE When I dropped my daughter Stephanie (Class of 2009) off at Havergal on her first day of Grade 7, I had no idea that the school would become such an important part of my life, too! The role of a School Nurse intrigued me, so I jumped at the opportunity to work part-time at Havergal in 2004. Sixteen years later, when I reflect on my time at HC, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I feel grateful for the many wonderful colleagues and students who I worked with and cared for and who in turn taught me. With a background in cardiac surgery and infectious diseases,

the great collective purpose that teaching gives us and for the myriad of fleeting, meaningful, simple, profound and unexpected human connections that each of its days affords us. Lucky us. Lucky me. À la prochaine, chers amis.

adventurous girls from all over the world who chose to call Havergal their

home away from home. It is always so exciting to hear from them years after they have graduated and moved on. Even though I’m retired and a new grandma, Havergal is never out of sight or mind. I drive by the school almost every day, always with a sense of pride that I am part of its community.

SINDY (VERTLIEB) SHETZEN / UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY By Kelly Elder and Sandra Langdon When Sindy Shetzen came to Havergal

Department and the many special connections she made throughout the school. Her positive approach and concern for others will be missed by her colleagues and students alike. In 2009, her pedagogical journey was recognized when she received an award from Stanford University in recognition of her exceptional teaching. Sindy has treasured the music, marvelled at the art and delighted in all the community celebrations. She is eternally grateful for the many wonderful colleagues she has had the privilege of working with over the years and for the dear friends she has made along the way.

College in 1988 as a teacher of mathematics and computer science, little did she know that she would inspire so many students over the next 32 years. With a love of mathematics, philosophy and education, perhaps it was inevitable that Sindy became a teacher. Early in her career, she side-stepped into the fields of educational publishing and educational software development, but then realized that her heart was in teaching and soon returned to the classroom. Over the years, Sindy rose to Ellen Knox’s challenge of “What are you going to do?” by contributing to the school community in multiple ways, including being the long-time Head of Agnes House and Interim Head of

34 HAVERGAL COLLEGE