Getting to know Elizabeth Sutherland

Elizabeth Sutherland just retired after 34 years at Big Tancook Island Elementary, much of that time as the school’s only teacher. Although she’s taught as many as 16 students in grades primary to five, she had just two this past year. Her students once beat out 80 schools in four countries to win the “World Reading Challenge” by reading an average of 632 books each in one year. Saltscapes spoke to Elizabeth Sutherland about teaching teddy bears, commuting by ferry and getting stuck in the mud.

 

Where did you grow up?

In a small community called Goshen, Nova Scotia. Part of the reason I became a teacher was because my elementary teacher, Katherine MacHattie, taught primary, one and two in one room. It was more like a home. I loved school. Everybody knew everybody. The older kids looked after the younger ones. At a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.

 

Did you ever get to tell Katherine she was your mentor?

I did. When someone tells you you’ve made a difference, that’s the reward. I told her she was one of the reasons I became an elementary teacher, her and Anne of Green Gables. I loved those books and she was a teacher in a one-room school.

When you were a kid, did you pretend to teach school?

Oh, all the time. I’d line up all my dolls and teddy bears. They’d all have books, papers and pencils. My younger sister and I would take turns being the teacher.  

 

What did you think when you first went to Big Tancook Island?

It’s 50 minutes by ferry. When I got the job, I thought, what did I get myself into?

 

What was it like, commuting by ferry?

I grew up inland. The kids on Tancook understand boats, water, tides. I had no experience on the water. Now I wouldn’t live anywhere else. I find it calming. There’s an upstairs deck on the ferry. After a day at work, it’s so nice to sit up there, close your eyes and unwind.

 

Some days must have been less than calm.

I’ve been on bad trips. Most people check the regular forecast. I always check the marine. One April, spring tides were on and a really bad wind. It was unbelievably rough. I didn’t think I was going to make it. I was scared to death. The captain had to give the boat to the mate and sit with me. When I staggered off in Chester, there was a stranger on the wharf. I ran to her, collapsed in her arms and started crying. I never travelled when it was rough again.

 

What’s different about teaching in a one-room schoolhouse?

I remember all of my students back to 1982. I knew most before they came to school. I would hold them as babies on the ferry. When they came to school, they already knew me. They’re relaxed. And I can’t remember an incident of bullying. If anything, they help each other out. I keep in touch with most of them.

 

What unique things happened at Big Tancook Elementary?

I did a lot of activities and science outside with the kids. One day, one of my kids started sinking in the mud by a brook. He was up to his knees and screaming. I ran to get him out and I started sinking. I told two boys to run back to the school, unlock the shed, get shovels and come back. And that’s what they did. What other kids are going to have to shovel their teacher out of mud?

 

Why did you retire?

It was a tough decision. I really didn’t want to, but it’s 35 years. I had to let the board know on April 1, and I told them March 31 at the last possible moment. I never once got up in the morning and thought, I don’t want to go to work today. I feel blessed that I’ve had a career that I loved for 35 years.