www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday June 24, 2006 - 3 The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday July 1, Not the retiring type After 32 years as a teacher, Dennis Yeo is retiring, but he has a long list of activities planned, including reducing homophobia in By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Retirement for Dennis Yeo is a rebirth. It's the end of his 32-year teaching career the last 17 years at Lorne Skuce Public School and the beginning of his new life. "I've bought myself a kayak as a retirement gift to myself," said Yeo, 53. "I started Rollerblading when I turned 45." His other passions include reading, watching movies and "political stuff." His retirement plans include travel Greece is high on his list of places to visit. "I'm going to adopt a black Labrador to be called Charity and train it as a therapy dog for Alzheimer's patients my mother had Alzheimer's." He's going to tutor children in reading and literacy and volunteer for Food For Life the executive director's wife works at this school. Yeo wants to give back to the community and help others. "I'm going to do all of the things I've been wanting to do, but didn't have time to do. I feel I still have the youth and the energy to make a difference." And, he wants the community to know he's gay and hopes his `coming out' at his retirement party last Saturday will be accepted as well in the wider community as it has at Lorne Skuce. Two years ago on his 50th birthday, Yeo told his colleagues he is gay. "I've been embraced by the Lorne Skuce community," he said. He called Lorne Skuce a "magical place" with a strong sense of community that made him feel comfortable. Had things been different, the community been less understanding and accepting, had he been at another school, Yeo may have remained silent. "For the first 29 years of my teaching career I felt repressed and in hiding," said Yeo of the homophobia that existed at the time and still does to a much lesser extent. "It wasn't safe to be gay in Halton. It fact, it was dangerous. KEVIN HILL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER HAPPY RETIREMENT: Retiring teacher Dennis Yeo is given farewell encouragement by retired teacher and friend Audrey Barnett during his retirement party at Lorne Skuce Public School. "There is this great misconception that if you're gay, you're a pedophile, and that is totally inaccurate. "What I really want people to know and understand is that being gay doesn't mean I'm a pedophile. "I won't hurt your children." In fact, the opposite is true. At the end of a recent interview about his retirement and the launch of an `angel fund' at Lorne Skuce, a young girl ran down the hall to greet a favourite teacher standing in front of his classroom door and rested her head on his shoulder. He gave her a smile. "The kids come first," he said. "That's the way it's been throughout my whole teaching career. "I loved every minute of teaching," said Yeo of his career. "The joy is in the kids. I really care about the kids." Lorne Skuce has about 230 children in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 5. "We have a breakfast program here, I see See Gay page11 ENDS SATURDAY JULY 1ST 0 $ 1291 SPEERS ROAD 905.827.4242 (North side between 3rd & 4th Line) · www.oakvillemazda.com email: info@oakvillemazda.com % PURCHASE FINANCING AVAILABLE ON ALL NEW 2006 MAZDAS PER MONTH/48 MONTHS WITH $4,995 DOWN PAYMENT 2006 MAZDASPEED6 LEASE FROM 379 * - AT - 1.9% LEASE APR 0% APR Purchase financing 36 months is available on all new 2006 Mazda6 - Based on a representative agreement using an MSRP of $38,795 for the MazdaSpeed6 with a financed amount of $35,000, the C.o.B. for a 36 month term is $0. Total lease obligation for the 2006 Mazg p g g , p ,, g daSpeed6 (G4MS56BL00) is $23,187 Lease p y p , payment includes freight and P.D.E. of $1,275 for all Mazda6 models. PPSA registration fee of $51.31 for a 48 month term extra. 20,000 km p y mileage allowance applies; if exceeded, additional 12¢ p km applies. 25,000km g , g , per year g pp ; , per pp , leases also available. Licence, insurance, taxes and other dealer charges extra. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Limited quantities available. Dealer order or trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers available from June 1, 2006 for a limited time only. Lease and Finance on , , approved credit for qualified customers only.