Mr. van Bemmel thanks Mrs. Wismer for her outstanding work
For years, the students of Garneau have come to know an especially friendly face behind the desk of the main office. Ms. Wismer is being moved to another school, and will not be joining those of us who return to Garneau in September, as the board is moving her to another school. Ms. Wismer sat down with us following this year’s TOPS night to speak about her years here at the school.
How did you get into this job?
After my children left home, I had a friend who was a principal at another school. She said that she thought I would like to work in a school. My reaction to her was: “I don’t like kids”. She looked at me for a moment and told me that she thought I would be really good. She asked me to give her my resume, and I didn’t have one at the time – I was a stay-at-home mom. The rest is history.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
It’s got to be the diverseness of the school and the children. Other schools may be different, but there’s something about ours. As I tell parents, I’m the mother here. When they come to the school here I’m mom. I treat each child like they were my own.
What is your favourite memory from your years here at Garneau?
The group hug I got recently in the galleria on TOPS night. Maybe I was a little embarrassed about crying, I came out of the galleria, and there was a gathering of kids. There have been lots of memories, like my trips with TOPS, but this group hug is the freshest one in my mind. I really felt that whatever I had given out, I got back that night.
You bring a certain friendliness to the average student entering the office. What’s the drive behind this?
It’s my passion for the students. I give them the same attention I would give my own kids if they came to me.
What are you looking forward to in the future?
Hopefully to come back to Garneau. My husband’s retired and we have a beautiful home up north, so I don’t need to be here – I could retire. But I have a passion to help the students of Garneau, and the community.
Is there anything you’d like to say to the students of Garneau?
I’m sad to leave, and hopefully I’ll be able to come back. Certainly I’d be happy to come to any events that happen, especially the TOPS Nights.
