Holy Cross Collegiate educator retires after nearly 20 years at the school

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

Long-time Holy Cross Collegiate (HCC) educational assistant, Shirley Boiteau, has announced her retirement after nearly 20 years at the school.

“It is (a big step), but my husband retired from his job in December and I just thought, maybe COVID-19 was edging me along a little,” said Boiteau. 

“With COVID-19 over the past couple years in the schools, it’s been a little more of a struggle for everyone.”

Boiteau explained that she has been residing in Strathmore for nearly 27 years and was pleased to have seen the town go from not having a Catholic education option, to a full complement of Catholic schools and Catholic education.

Boiteau said her beginnings as an educator were quite humble, but she expressed that over the course of her career she found working with the local youth was something she loved doing each day. 

“If you can find that one love of a job, which is what I’ve been blessed to have, it makes it all worthwhile. Twenty years has gone by so fast,” said Boiteau.

“Being able to work with so many faith-filled teachers … faith is a big component for us. And one of my daughters graduated through this school.”

Prior to starting at HCC two years after its opening, Boiteau worked with Sacred Heart Academy (SHA). Before taking up that position, she was employed at a local daycare.

She explained that she made the transition to HCC out of a joy for working with the junior high age group. 

Though Boiteau did not get into particular specifics, she said her career was filled with highlights and being able to take students under her wing.

“I can’t remember what year it was, but I did have two students one year who I did really a lot with and they just had many challenges. After seeing them go through Grades 7-12, they both managed to get their high school diplomas, so just seeing them cross that stage,”Boiteau said was a highlight. 

“You take them under your wing and you’re like a mother hen and you (guide) them as they go through the system.”

Going into retirement, Boiteau said she and her husband hope to connect more with their family and hobbies and potentially even travel when the process becomes easier.

“(My husband and I), we both hope to get more into golfing, we both love to golf. And, go back to Manitoba, we have a lot of family there that we still visit and it will be a couple years before we venture out of the country.”