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PAGE 2, WITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1990 School's otfrsuperrntend ent, Wy Trudie Zavadvovics Wlien Bob Martin started teaching in 1953, he emabarked on a career that would span 31 years sud that can traiy be described as a labor of love. Ou Dec, 3 1, lie fluishes the final cbapter of bis illustrious career that teok hlm from rural school teacher th superintendent of schools. Martin lôooka forward te charting a new course for bimseif lu bis retirement. Martin exudes enersy sud entliusiasm from every inclh of bis 6-ft, 4-lu. framne. That enthu- siasm, aloug with a hearty senne of humor and iron-ciad commit- ment te education and learuiug, bas had a marked influence on those with whom he worked, be it student, faculty or administ- ration, sud has served te make signficnt srids i the field of As a student, Martin attended a rural echool outside of Clark township. His high school years were s plit between Newcastle High School sud Bowmanville Higli school. To attain lis teacli- ing credentials, Martin attended wbat was tlien known as normal school in Peterboroughi. Exoept for a one-year jaunt te the uorth where he tauglit in Iroquois Falls, lie lias remained in Dur- bamn Region. "I came teWitby in 1959," say Martin, "been here ever since. When you find soniething For suite dreams in the bedroom, invite Rousseau's.. Collectible solid cherry furniture by Harden glows with an 18 step, hand rubbed finish. Quality neyer goes out of style, so you can add pieces over years of proud ownership. Rousseau's designers wilI be there to help you each step of- the way to create the bedroom suite of your dreams. I.'.. -- Y -- I~ ~.1....- BOB MARTIN WATCH FOR L OUR OPENINQI OP -letà-e was the quality of people I wor- ked. with. It was very reward- mthou¶& lie sees the Durham bor saving made great pro- gress. lu the field of speclal edu- cation, lie doesn't ee it as a frontrunuerlin the field. "I don't see us as being pioneers. We teok existing ideas looked at tliem sud modified tliem te meet our needa." Aithougli the Durham board lias worked teward lutegration as mucli as possible, Mrti maintains the need for alterna- tivs sud flexibility lu the area of speclal needs oducation. "Our feeling lias always been te look at the needs of the student sud how te balance those needs tegether. We encourage as mucli as the student eau liandie sud wsut students where they can beet realize their*ptential." tgration lisas been a learning experience for teachers. "I think were at a point now where teachers have su under- standing of a child with speciai needs . Thy are better equipped te handle more students integra- ted inte the classrooms." In 1986 Martin was appointed superintendent of schools for Brock Township and Scugog. His climb up the educational adder served as an eye-opener. "As superintendeut, I have more of a global understandiug When you're working lu a sehool, you can ouly sSe your owu school. Good things happen in al AMAEUS - SEAFOOD and STEAKII 1180 Shncoe St. N. Oshawa 436-9333 * Rsat Prime Beef (Canada Grad New York Steak sud Shrimpi *Broiled Seafood Plate a week *Banquet Facilit IOUSE e436-9065 le A) Lies Available- schools. The shaning of ideas between achools is the crucial thing. Each sehool la different. It ia the reflection of the pr incipal, teàichers aud needs of the stu- dents. "As a principal Il tbought if only I were sujperitendent, I would correct thee thiugs. It doesu't aiways happen." One of bis major focuses bas been lu the area, of co-operative le'. "We h ave been focusing on co-operative le in tring to manimxzegroupwork..in. sehols as a teaching strateqy. I amn really pleased at how ît's work- mng out. The focus is on the student aud the balance between the needs of the student and the prg ,. Mensays that if there's one thing above ail that stili hasn't been ironed out to everybody's satisfaction, it is the issue Of geori to parents. «]v always hojed we'd corne Up with a magcal cure with repr cards. We haven't." For as long as Martin can remember adults have always maintained that kids don't read, write or do math as well as theT used te. Although he doesin t agree, he feels that will always- be the case. «I don't agree. Studeuts are writing better, doing math better and readlnig better than they used te. One of the highlights for me as a student is that my teachers read te the cians every 'ILere's no doubt ini Martin's mmnd that the teacher doem make the difference. «Over the yearsI've really been amazed at the number of ? uality teachers and students. It's uubelievabie. They make it what it is.» What did Martin offer his stu- dents iu bis classes? "A. love of learning, reading and histery. And a sense of humor. We ail have te be able te laugh at ourselves. «I also try te find something lu every student that you can com-. pliment tliem for. «rve always. been lucky iu teaching.rvenoe every job. I StIi1l forward te coming te work. Everyone's great. I will miss the contact. It's very easy te look good when you have good People working for you." Aithougli part of him,-welcomes retirement, for the most part Martin has mixed emotions. "]Pm looking forward te retiring but it's gong te be a shock. rmi not marking off the days. rm going te enjoy what rm doing tili the very iast day.» '"Iil miss it. I gave it (retiring) a lot of bard thought. Ive done ail the tbings in education I really wauted te do. It's nice te leave a position when you're feel- ing very positive about it, with good memorles." Martin plans te take some ime te pursue his interests in histery, antiques sud genealogy. Travel is also on his agenda. Martin says he's been touched he 1 - . s-- 1's retiring. school's aIl about. If it's really what you want, it will be rewar- ing. Don't take yourself too seri- ously. And make use of other teachers on staff." Martin, the man, may be retir- ing Dec. 31, but his influenc inspiration and bis essenoe wil linmer on. I WOOD CRAFT e Woodstoves e Inserts eInsulated Chinneys & Liners Stoves from $395.00 amftzInserts from $495.00 Cerfjied Instailation BROOKLIN (416) 655-8945 $ ~ 7 -Mrs j, , '»t 'WÇ,?WLon't bema4ersQld' you like, you stay with it.» Martin remembers «neyer hav- ing a bad te acier," sud, admit- tedly, it was the positive lu- fluence of bis own teachers that inspired hlm te take up the profession bimself. .He reminisces about bis eariy years as a teaclier wvhen «ail you needed was a couple of booksand yourself. Today you need a istack this higl (lie raises-biseliand about 10 luches above bis desk), just for one subject.» The firet achool he taugit at lu Durham Region was the 'old Dundas St. school,' today known as Fiorence Heard. Heard was prnial of the school when MWýfin was, there. She was te have a lastingf influence on bis professionailhife. "Florence Heard showed me how you could be su administra- ter and still be a teacher. Her whole way of dealing wlth people and kids was important." Iu 1964 Martin went te R.A. Hutchison, and for three years was principal of that school. He went on te be principal of four other schools -- E.A, Fairman, Whitby Senior (now known as Leslie MacFariane), Dr. C.F. Camnon and West Lynde public schools- until 1981 when lie was appointed superntndent of specialeéducation for the board. 'They were just startiug the special education prograin. It was just after the legisiation of Bill-81,b remembers Martin. "What made it most satisfying FA-MW-.ý-