South Peace Historical Society

    • Home
    • About / Contact Us
    • About Dorthea Horton
    • About This Collection
    • Bibliography
    • Brief History of the Peace
    • Credits
    • South Peace Historical Society Archives (External Link)
  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

  •  

10-017: Annie Bray Retires After 28 Year’s Service

At the end of this 1970-71 school term, Mrs. Annie Bray will retire from teaching. She has been teaching in this area since 1943. Mrs. Bray, a highly respected teacher presently teaching in Rolla School, says she has taught long enough — 28 years. She would like to do some extensive traveling to see the world that she has been teaching about.

When asked if she would recommend a student attend a one-room school as in the old days she replied, “Oh no! The present system provides a much better teacher to student ratio and the student learns more thoroughly when only one grade is taught in the room. I feel, if one had a choice, that it would be better to close country schools and spend the money saved by transporting students to larger centres for schooling where the child can benefit from new systems of education.”

School board chairman, Rudy Landsfried presented her with a farewell gift. In her farewell talk to the board Mrs. Bray harked back through the years and recalled she started teaching in Progress in 1943 in a little log building in which there were more mice than there were children. She said she loved teaching and “doesn’t regret even one day of it”.

Mrs. Bray’s record is a long one, showing her starting at Progress in 1943 – 44, moving to Central Pouce Coupe School 1944 – 45 and to North Dawson Creek School 1946 – 47. She was then at Fort Nelson in 1947 – 48. She had a brief rest from 1952 – 53 then returned to teaching at East Pouce 1955 – 56, Doe River 1956 – 57, South East Dawson 1957 – 58, Parkhill School 1958 to 1967 school years and finally at Rolla from 1967 – 71.

Many residents of the Peace River Country will undoubtedly have memories of being taught by Mrs. Bray and they, along with the School Board will wish her well on her retirement.

 

« 10-016: First Teacher at Kelly Lake

10-018: Mrs. Wesley (Jean) Gething »

© 2023 South Peace Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.