The Learning Curve: Meet (Madame) Lisa McIlmoyle

Those flashing lights can only mean one thing: summer break is over and school is in! Teachers are busy getting to know their new students and students are getting aquainted with their new teachers. A lot of parents are probably breathing a sigh of relief…

Within the walls of the many local elementary schools are undoubtedly some pretty awesome teachers. Outstanding educators who go above and beyond to enrich and inspire today’s young minds. These teachers effortlessly impact the lives of their students because they have a genuine love for kids and learning. Lisa McIlmoyle is one of those teachers. This is an account of why she decided to devote her life to teaching and how she’s planning to go out with a bang as a Grade 2 teacher.

Every year, when September rolls around, Lisa McIlmoyle can feel it. She gets the butterflies and the goosebumps just thinking about it. And then the excitement sets in.

“There’s lot of hugs and rekindling of friendships,” she says of the first few weeks back to school. “It’s such a fun time. There’s so much sharing. The kids always want to talk about what they did with their family and we always talk about their pets. Kids seem to love animals.”

For Lisa, being able to teach for the last 31 years has been a dream come true. It’s also a blessing that the career path she chose has filled her with immense joy. Every day still feels like the first year she started teaching, a sure sign that her passion hasn’t dwindled the least bit. She’s got style and grace and the best smile and there’s a youthful glow to her. The way she interacts with her students, it’s so apparent: Lisa loves kids. She always has. That’s why she wanted to be a teacher in the first place. She just gets them.

Madame McIlmoyle surrounded by her adorable Grade 2 students. She is big on teaching the kids about kindness and respect and strives to let kids know they each have a special gift.

To see her in action, surrounded by 19 of her Grade 2 students at Riverside Public School, is something to marvel at. From the moment she enters the classroom she’s at her best. She’s made Room 11 a home away from home for her students. (It is lovingly referred to as chalet onze and Lisa’s good teaching buddy Janice Roy is in chalet douze. They are constantly team teaching and have a blast with the kids.) Something eye-catching is neatly tucked away in every corner of the classroom. Lisa went to great lengths to create a loving environment where kids will thrive.

Whether they are in Grade 2 or intermediate students, they need the same things. They need to feel loved and safe in an inspiring environment. I always try to get some little hook in them to connect. If they like dogs and I like dogs, there’s something. And I also try to encourage them to know they have gifts. There’s something special in each of them.

Lisa strives to be kind and to teach her students that kindness matters as much being respectful. She has adopted a successful method of positive reinforcement for her students. Regular shout-outs are encouraged daily, where students acknowledge the efforts (speaking French, for example) of their classmates. The kids in her class are focusing on stewardship as well as the importance of caring for the environment. Riverside also boasts a fully implemented school-wide compost program, which the Grade 2s help with.

The month of September is a crucial one, says Lisa, as she gets to know her students and they get to know her. For the next couple weeks students will focus on building positive relationships. And the whole time something else is going on, too. The students at Riverside are learning all about Terry Fox. His legacy holds a special spot in Lisa’s heart. Kids have much to learn from this Canadian hero.

“At Riverside and throughout our board we talk about character traits and each month we have a different trait. This month is all about goal setting where students are trying to set their own personal goals just like Terry Fox. Students love his story. He wanted to help children. His traits are something kids can learn from.”

Lisa is part of a Terry Fox committee at Riverside along with a handful of other Terry-loving teachers who have worked together to make sure all things Terry are going on at the school right now. Events like Toonies for Terry, Terry Fox t-shirt sales, a raffle for kids to win fun Canadian prizes and healthy Terry treats are offered to students and staff. The funds that are raised go to the Terry Fox Foundation.

The thing about Riverside, says Lisa, is that it truly is one big, happy family. There’s a real unity among the staff and students. And while her teaching career has allowed her to work in nearly every grade at various schools around Ontario, when she came to Riverside back in 2007, that’s when Lisa knew she was home. Her mother had fallen ill and the support she received from fellow teachers made her feel so embraced. She continues to have special friendships with other teachers and says school life wouldn’t be so wonderful if it wasn’t for them.

I work with a lot of passionate teachers. That’s why I love my colleagues. I’m always learning from them. It’s all about the team. The big learning curve for me is always tech. We got some young staff and if I need help I go to them. That’s a pretty great thing. There’s always someone who knows anything you need help with.

The cat is just starting to come out of the bag. Lisa’s at “the retirement age,” although she certainly doesn’t look it. That means this will be her last year at Riverside Public School. She’s inspired, mentored, and ignited a passion for learning in the hearts of many children over the last 31 years.

Can’t you tell Lisa has an affinity for dogs? There’s many stuffed animals in her classroom, great conversation starters as the kids continue to get to know her.

In a way, her final year is bittersweet. She’s not exactly ready to say goodbye but she’s also aware of the fact that life is short. She lost her brother-in-law to cancer (tragically on her birthday last December) and that has really made her reflect.

“It brought clarity,” she says. “I do focus a lot on school. I look forward to my retirement years.”

But even when she does close the door on a long career as a teacher, she will never forget the lessons she’s learned. As she was busy teaching those young minds, she was learning just as much. And she will breathe a sigh of relief knowing that she did her best and gave it her all when it came to enriching those little minds.

Many thanks to Riverside Public School principal MaryLou Lefler for suggesting Lisa McIlmoyle as an extraordinary teacher.

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