As the school year comes to a close, so does the 20-year teaching career of one of MCI’s most impactful teachers: Ms. Feller. Having spent her entire time as a teacher at Martingrove, Ms. Feller has been involved in countless school clubs, sports, and activities, and has truly bettered our school community.
Ms. Feller grew up in Toronto, and received a masters degree in Physical Education with a minor in English from Western University. Although she had always wanted to become an educator, it was tough to get a job as a teacher at the time. Instead, she moved to Ottawa, where she worked in the Fitness and Amateur Sport department of the federal government. Following this, she worked for the provincial government as a Probation and Parole officer in Belleville, Ontario. It was in this role that Ms. Feller describes the way she got to understand the broader scope of young people, and became interested in social work. Then, she moved back to Toronto, where she owned a lighting store and worked as a freelance tour guide on the history of Toronto and Niagara Falls. (Her favourite recommendation to visit: the Toronto Islands, as they’re often undervalued, and it feels like you’ve gone somewhere completely different in your own city!).
It was not until later in life that Ms. Feller went back to school to get her teaching degree. With 3 kids and multiple careers under her belt, she “had a longing and a sense of fulfillment” to become a teacher. She hoped that it was a better time to get hired, and luckily got a contract right out of teacher’s college to work at MCI.
While most people know her as the dedicated librarian, Ms. Feller began her time at MCI teaching English and Phys-ed.. She was a then the main drama teacher for 7 years; she taught classes, put on various musicals such as Grease and Chicago, and helped slowly grow the drama program throughout these years. Ms. Feller says her first impression of our school was that it was big, and she felt somewhat out of place. “I felt a bit lost, much like a grade 9 student! It took some time before I found my groove.”
In terms of her school involvement, Ms. Feller has done it all. She started the TEDx club, providing an opportunity for students to speak and be heard, which was unlike any other school clubs at the time. Ms. Feller has also worked with Me to We, coached sports teams (curling and archery), and been a staff advisor for Leadership. She has been the staff advisor for the Beacon for a few years, working to help nurture student writing and advocating for the idea of voicing ideas and opinions. Finally, she has been the head of the library for over 10 years, having found a great passion for it. “Once I got here, it was like where have you been all my life! I finally found a place that I believed was so important for the whole school.. The concept that a place is here to serve the whole community is something I find very gratifying. I will really miss the library.”
The best thing about working at MCI for Ms. Feller has been working with students. She explains that working at the school became her life, and part of her identity. “It is such a blessing to to go somewhere everyday and have a purpose. I’ve found this job very personal, that you show up and you’re a somebody.” She has loved being part of school groups that amplify student voices and highlight student work, because, “when [students] speak about what’s important to them, it teaches me what’s really going on in the world. The opportunity to hear what they really want to say about anything is a gift….We’re all learning and growing with all this new information. We need [young people] to help us understand the world.”
Upon asking if Ms. Feller had any advice for students, she said this: “If you’re not sure where you’re going, that’s okay. If you’re like me, try a career, then switch gears and try the next career.. There are no rules anymore! Maybe you’ll just fall into something, and it ends up being what you wanted or what you’re meant to do. This tremendous stress of what you’re going to be- gosh, I never knew and I just figured it out anyways. If you like it, stay. If you don’t, go. If anything, I’m the poster child for being curious and open to living your life!”
Ms. Feller doesn’t have any concrete plans for herself during retirement, and simply wants to see what kinds of doors open for her! She would also like to do some volunteer work, and possibly travel. Ms. Feller has been a dependable and influential member of the Martingrove community for many years, and we wish her all the best in her retirement!