The Last Word

Thirty four years. It’s been thirty four years since Alison McGillivray was hired by Sister Roberta Madden to cover a six month maternity leave.
When Ali took the job as a teacher librarian, she was certain her stay would be brief. That was 1981.

What’s remarkable about Ali isn’t that, to look at, she’s hardly changed. What’s remarkable is that she is as vibrant, engaged and excited to teach her students today as she’s ever been. This June, she will be “retiring” every bit the blessing to her students today as she’s been for the past three decades.

Alison started in the 1980’s as the teacher librarian. It was only in the early 1990’s that she moved over to teaching Social Studies. She laughs at it now, reminding me that even as she retires, she’s still the “junior” member of the Social Studies department to colleagues Maureen Lyons and Matt Coady.

For more than 25 years, students at LFA have known a special kind of Social Studies experience. Dressed as a Viking and re-enacting Freydis and the demonstration of the Bering Land Bridge from the top of her desk will, no doubt, be etched on the memories of many. Re-enacting took on a whole new level in recent years when Ali realized that the school’s courtyard could vaguely be construed to represent the geography around the Plains of Abraham: the concrete path was the St. Lawrence River, the Grotto was Quebec City, the gate was the entrance from the Atlantic Ocean, and the wall on the side of the courtyard was where the washer-woman was deceived by the British soldiers. Armed with whiffle-balls, a sense of imagination, and a passionate teacher, the girls diligently walked through the whole scenario that led to the death of Wolfe. Where, of course, everyone poses for their picture as close to the original painting as can be achieved.

When asked how long she’s been organizing the Medieval Feast for the Grade 8 students, Ali pauses. “Since the Middle Ages. Maybe the 13th century?” she replies dryly. She won’t commit to the authenticity of the mead in her cup.

The passion for teaching young adults has never stopped at the classroom. Ali’s involvement in extra-curricular enrichment at LFA has been extraordinary. Twenty years as the teacher sponsor for our tennis team. Four weekend Encounter retreats. She sponsored Cross Country. By volunteering to support the public speaking program, language trips and Choir trips, she has chaperoned students to Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York as well as Mexico, France, and Spain. She’s also been a key volunteer in mentoring the Grad Committee: a volunteer activity she loves dearly because it, “allows me to be closely involved with the Senior students as they plan their final year.”

Of course, it’s the field hockey program that she’s best known for. Coaching, recruiting, umpiring, organizing tournaments, taking athletes away to play at Bridgman or Provincials: it’s been a labour of love that has resulted in one of the largest field hockey programs in the country. In addition to three Provincial Championship banners and qualifying for the Provincial tournament for eleven of the last twelve years, Ali also led the effort to take a team on tour to the UK for the largest and most ambitious international athletics opportunity the school has ever offered.
When asked to reflect on her experience at LFA, Ali protests: “It’s been fun! That’s about as introspective as I get.” She then pauses and thinks. “It’s amazing to have former students as colleagues. Katelyn, Sue, Diane, Sarah, Tara and Meghan. Richard Cannon’s extra effort to make field hockey successful has been amazing. I really enjoy seeing alumnae on the hockey pitch in town. I saw Val the other day as I was umpiring and was teasing her about calling me ‘Ali’ and not ‘Mrs. Mcgillivray’. I really enjoy seeing my former students coming back as parents. The kids are so much like their moms in many cases. I’m so grateful to Sister Jo for always supporting the field hockey—not just the Sister Jo Cup, but for making it out to games at Bridgman for as long as I can remember.”

Ali looks around the auditorium, where she’s taken her class this block. “I’m just so very grateful to the Sisters of St. Ann for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this.” In the background, her class is broken into groups. They’re making up their own “French Revolution protest songs”. Ever LFA, they’re choreographing dances to go with their songs. Ali grins at the girls. They’re marching. Singing. Learning. Sadly, this coming September, they won’t get an extra mark for learning to spell “McGillivray” correctly.
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