My classroom is a small space, but well suited to teaching a group of newcomers intent on learning English. Two mornings each week, we make the McCauley Rink shack our school. The African students are surrounded by ice skates, hockey sticks, and shovels. As it turns out, they love the rink as much as I do.

I placed a notice for free classes last summer. By September, I had students. Germay, Mehari, and Samson are from Eritrea and all live in McCauley. Before my class, they didn’t know each other. They also have different long-term goals. In 10 years Samson wants to drive semi-trailers, Germay wants to be in nursing, and Mehari wants to speak perfect English.

When the snow fell in December, my students hit the sidewalk with shovels. The group included mom Tigist and son Nahom, who live in nearby Delton. Back in Ethiopia, Tigist was a welder. Nahom is a young man and proud son with plans to launch his own company one day, just like his mom did back home.

I am retired, having worked in community roles for most of my career. Community is important to me, and my students inspire me. My students are slowly reading As Long as the Rivers Flow, by Larry Loyie, a Cree author and residential school survivor. They understand the issues, having come from colonized countries. One student shared that he had worked for 14 years in Israel as a temporary worker. They have toughed it out to get to Canada.

I believe in them. They are committed to Canada and to their studies. As Tigist, a mother of three, shared, her commitment is “to work hard to build a good life for my children.”

My immigrant students boost my spirits. Their enthusiasm is infectious. On New Year’s Eve 2025, Nahom tried skating at the McCauley Rink. His mom Tigist wrote a story to celebrate: “I saw the children skating on the rink. It made me feel happy. The kids were beaming. The firepit smelled good. My family did a tour of the celebrations downtown. Next year, I will see the fireworks as I am skating on the ice.”

I hope to be there to see her.

Gail Silvius is happily retired and living in McCauley.