The Abbotsford News is honoured to profile 2023 “Heroes in Education” from a long and amazing list of nominees sent to us by our readers. “Heroes in Education” is graciously sponsored by Abbotsford School District, University of the Fraser Valley, City of Abbotsford, Easy Build Structures, Curtis Tire & Wheel, Kafka Denture Clinic and 5 Corners Furniture.
Irene Adams has never spent a day under the tutelage of Nicole Longpre, a learning support services teacher at Centennial Park elementary. But she has spent plenty of time as her neighbour, and knows that a heart like hers is rare and must spill over into the classrooms where she works.
“I live in an apartment and she used to live above me,” the Abbotsford senior said, explaining how she came to nominate Longpre for a Heroes in Education award.
As her neighbour, she saw Longpre coming and going as a teacher for her day job and as a tutor during her spare time. Adams enjoyed how Longpre did random acts of kindness around the apartment building, like the time she found a new seasonal wreath on her door, courtesy of Longpre. She also would pick up groceries if needed or swing Adams to a doctor’s appointment.
One winter day, Adams found out that Longpre was gathering warm items – mostly blankets – for students whose families were struggling.
“I said, ‘You are a single mom. You can’t afford that!’ ” Adams recalls. “And she said, ‘No, I can’t really, but these kids are cold.’ ”
Longpre remembers the time fondly.
“That was a few years ago,” she said, back when she was at Chief Dan George middle school. “We had some families who were struggling.”
All the staff worked together to ensure there were items for families in need that winter, and Adams connected Longpre to a church that was making blankets to give away.
Together, they were able to fill up the cupboards with half a dozen warm blankets to be given out as needed.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE HEROES IN EDUCATION SPECIAL FEATURE
It turns out that Longpre does have a special place in her heart for children who need a little extra help. While she had been working as a classroom teacher, she started to notice the students who were struggling in a different light.
Longpre had one student who would show up with just a Slurpee every morning and seemed to have no help for homework. As a teacher, it was frustrating for her at first. But after some time she learned that it was because the mom was working nights as a nurse, taking care of her family’s finances.
Then she saw her student as “just a kid who was at home alone overnight,” and who could really use some support.
“That really, really changed things for me,” she said. “For some of these kids, school is their safe space. But if your basic needs aren’t met, you’re not going to learn.”
She got into assistance work about seven years ago, and now instead of a full classroom, she has a day full of various duties. She helps students with designations like autism, and supports the kids who just need a boost with reading and writing.
Sometimes she will need to step in for a teacher and take over a class, and other times she may need to help another staff member with something more mundane like cleaning up a mess a student made.
Her first language is French, and she learned English in immersion as a child. So, as a tutor after work she is able to help French immersion students with work their parents may not understand.
Whether it’s in the classroom or in a tutor situation, her aim is to connect with her students so they can learn.
“That’s my goal at the end of the day,” she said.
“I greet them. I make them feel like humans. If they are struggling, I will ask them, ‘How can I help you? How can I support you?’ ”
And her friend Adams says that, even though they are no longer neighbours, the friendship continues and Longpre still pops in to help her or sit and have a cup of chai.
“In my opinion, she really does deserve to be recognized for her hard work and all her efforts,” Adams said.
READ MORE: HERO IN EDUCATION: Andrea Senft’s heart is with students and community
@CHWKcommunity
jessica.peters@abbynews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.