Former student appreciates compassionate advice

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/11/2019 (2464 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: You were my Grade 7 English teacher at General Byng. You were a fabulous teacher. I have very clear memories of being in your class. I think you were maybe in your early years of teaching then. Forgive me if I tell you that you were beautiful and vivacious. You were fun, and being in your class was fun.  

I remember one day when you played us the song Midnight at the Oasis. Even back then, you were preparing people for romantic connection. I remember your classroom as a tolerant and safe place. As a young man sensitive about my gay sexuality, your classroom was a refuge. Thank you.  

I love reading your column. You strike me as the same kind and compassionate person today that you were then. Work is stressful, but often at lunchtime, I get together with people and we read your column out loud. It brings us together. We are all looking for connection. 

These days, I am a Crown attorney and I have a great deal of responsibility. I got where I am today because of educators like you who helped me understand who I am. You continue to help people today with your kind and compassionate advice.

— Paul Girdlestone, Winnipeg

Dear Paul: Thank you so much for your letter. I was very touched. Although I don’t teach in the classroom anymore — the setting was too restrictive for my free spirit — I do still teach through my Miss Lonelyhearts columns.

I’m so glad to hear you felt safe in my classroom. When you’re a teacher, you never really know how much impact you have on the kids. You often don’t know how they are feeling when they come to school that day, or what happens out on the school grounds. The boys are particularly tight-lipped. 

Kids are often feeling mixed up in junior high — hormones jangling, troublesome skin, always hungry, feeling crushes, struggling with parents for more autonomy. So I found they had a lot of questions for teachers who were open and sympathetic.

I developed a rather informal guidance class once a week, as I received a lot of anonymous notes in my desk drawer from kids who were having problems. I’d read the problems and answer them as best as I could, being extremely careful not to identify anybody. 

Sometimes extra kids snuck into those classes and would be sitting at the back trying to look inconspicuous! I’d chuckle to myself as I ushered them out. So here I am — Miss Lonelyhearts, advice columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press — really enjoying helping people of all ages with their problems. Thanks again for writing, and I am so glad you are successful and happy!

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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