Farewell to my wonderful mentor

Fri Feb 22, 2013

by Rosie McIntosh

I entered the GHS in September 1955, and Mrs Keizer (Miss Ince at the time), was one of my teachers. Mrs Keizer had not long graduated from the GHS herself and took up a teaching post whilst waiting to continue onto university.{{more}}

Mrs Keizer was one of the most compassionate young teachers I knew, soft spoken and patient; she had to be, dealing with a high spirited student like I was. If I did anything in class that was not right (and believe me I did) she would sit there patiently, and in that soft voice say “Rosie, when you a quite finished, please let me know, so I can carry on with the class;” that set me straight. After the class was finished, she would call me aside, and instead of giving me a conduct mark, which most of the teachers did, she would take the time to let me know that I was a bright young lady, with a lot of potential, and I was not putting it to good use. She always took time to encourage me until I left the GHS to finish my education abroad. I ended up working in a school in Canada in the Guidance Office, and a lot of the time when disruptive students were sent to the Guidance Office, I would hear that still, small voice saying “But for the Grace of God there go you,” and so I would use the same compassion Mrs Keizer extended to me to help these students. I worked for the Toronto District School Board for 27 years and many of my students still look me up and thank me for my guidance and compassion.

I visited St Vincent a few years ago, and met Mrs Keizer at a church service, and to my surprise she told me that Miss Bucchan, my head mistress at the time, who was from Scotland, and whom Mrs Keizer had just visited, asked her about me, and she told her that I had turned out to be a wonderful young woman working in a school. I am sure Miss Bucchan, God rest her soul, is still trying to figure that one out.

Mrs Keizer helped me to turn my life around and realize my potential, and I will be always grateful to her for taking the time to guide me, encourage me, and point me in the right direction. I know she was very proud of me, and when I called to speak with her during the last few months, she would always let me know how proud she was of me.

I would like to say with sadness in my heart, farewell to my wonderful mentor, a true Proverbs 31 woman, Mrs Norma Ince-Keizer. May God grant you the rest you so well deserve, and I know that he has welcomed you into His eternal rest with the words “Well done My good and faithful servant, come and enjoy your well-deserved rest.” There is a special place in God’s garden of angels awaiting you. Until we meet again, thank you and Godspeed.