Students mourn popular teacher who died on field trip

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This article was published 12/05/2016 (3447 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

STUDENTS called her “Goz” or “Mama G” — they adored Darcee Gosselin.

A memorial celebration was held Thursday for the beloved John Taylor Collegiate teacher who collapsed and died May 5 during a school trip to Spruce Woods Provincial Park in 34 C heat, a record high for that date.

The circumstances of Gosselin’s death appear to be unprecedented. No other Manitoba teacher is known to have died while on a school field trip in recent decades.

“Some of the volleyball team called her ‘Mama G’ — she was like a mother,” said University of Manitoba student Heather Shaffer shortly before attending the memorial for her former teacher.

“Sometimes, her classes would get a little crazy and rowdy,” but no matter how raucous the classes might become, students could thrive in Gosselin’s biology classes, Shaffer said.

“She understood us on a different level — she didn’t treat us like robots.

“She encouraged me to do what I want and to not give up; I wasn’t alone in that. She was definitely born to be a teacher. “

Gosselin, 40, taught biology and psychology. She volunteered with junior varsity girls volleyball, the Piper Classic basketball tournament and the graduation committee.

The investigation into Gosselin’s death is in the hands of the provincial government. That contrasts with investigations after two children died on school field trips; their deaths launched overhauls of field-trip policies and safety manuals.

The drowning of five-year-old Joshua Harder 14 years ago in a municipal pool on a school outing led to a three-week inquest.

When 13-year-old Kelsey Brewster died after a fall on a school ski trip in March 2015, educators, safety experts, ski hill operators and others revised the rules for schools and ski hills.

Education Minister Ian Wishart said in a prepared statement he is not taking immediate action.

“My thoughts go out to the family, students and co-workers affected by the tragic passing of Darcee Gosselin. I am aware that Workplace Safety and Health is investigating the incident, so it would be premature to comment. If there is anything that can be learned from this tragic event, we will work quickly to ensure that appropriate action is taken,” Wishart said in an email.

Said Manitoba School Boards Association risk manager Darren Thomas: “Workplace Safety and Health is on this. Based on their findings, things will become clearer.”

Manitoba Teachers’ Society president Norm Gould said any further action will depend on whether it’s determined if weather conditions had any connection with Gosselin’s death.

Gosselin, a John Taylor teacher for more than 10 years, collapsed around 4 p.m on a record hot day in much of southern Manitoba.

St. James-Assiniboia School Division superintendent Brett Lough said the principal has interviewed staff members who were on the field trip, but while RCMP were called initially, police have not talked to anyone, and students on the trip apparently have not been interviewed.

“They were on the trails. They were hiking,” he said, pointing out the guidelines use a humidex of 40 as a point at which schools should curtail activities. “Lots of water is provided, a (trained) CPR person was there.”

Environment Canada records show humidex levels significantly lower than 40 in the area that day.

Gosselin was one of three adult supervisors — two teachers and an educational assistant — with a group of 21 grades 11 and 12 students.

“Near the end of the field trip, a teacher supervisor collapsed, and a student got the attention of the other supervisors. Another supervisor teacher assessed the situation and performed CPR, and the other individual (adult) contacted EMS which then took the teacher, as well as the teacher that performed CPR, to Carberry Hospital,” Lough said.

The park is 160 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca 

 

— with files from Ashley Prest