As students, we often forget to appreciate our teachers. We forget how much time, effort, and dedication they put into each lesson and how day after day they show up to class with a smile on their faces, ready to tackle yet another topic. One teacher who needs appreciation for their twenty-five years of service and teaching in our school is Ms. Higginson.

Ms. Higginson fell in love with St. Paul’s while working here as a student teacher in 1999. Originally teaching math, she later transitioned to teaching science, primarily chemistry. She says that she loves St. Paul’s because the school treats teachers like they are professionals and because of the supportive coworkers here, many of whom she has become close friends with. Over the years, Ms. Higginson has also come to enjoy how St. Paul’s develops their students from the time they are in Grade Nine to the time that they graduate. 

Ms. Higginson’s time here has not been without excitement. She recalls many mishaps that have occurred over the years, including electrocuting herself twice in front of her class, exploding a beaker, having ceiling tiles catch on fire, and best of all, creating the “modern art piece” in room 142 in which a hole was burned in the countertop. It is the funny (or not so funny) accidents like these that make a lasting memory in the minds of students. Unfortunately, not every day is full of exciting explosions. Ms. Higginson describes how difficult her courses can be, especially Grade 12 chemistry. She is always reassured that when many of those students return to St. Paul’s, after university, they will thank her for pushing them as hard as she did. 

After all this time, Ms. Higginson says she still feels like a “newbie”, something that is surely a testament to her dedication as a teacher. Looking forward, she is constantly trying to improve how she teaches topics. 

After twenty-five years, Ms. Higginson looks back fondly on her time at St. Paul’s and can’t wait for what the future will bring. We can say confidently that it has been a pleasure to have you here and we truly do appreciate everything you do for us. Thank you, Ms. Higginson!