The Prairie Rose School Division is celebrating the careers of several longtime staff members who are retiring this year, including bus drivers, educators, administrators and support staff. Among them are Sharon McFadden, who drove generations of students over 41 years, and Jack Phillips, who served as a teacher and principal for more than two decades.
Sharon McFadden is retiring after 41 years as a bus driver with the Prairie Rose School Division.
She earned her Class 2 driver’s licence 45 years ago and got her start in the role thanks to her father-in-law, who recruited her as a substitute when he needed help.
“He would say, ‘I need you to drive this afternoon,’ and I would hop into his route,” McFadden said. She added that this was before substitute drivers needed to be hired through PRSD, and there’s little formal record of her driving from those early years.
Through snow, rain and mud, McFadden said she’s driven through it all. She primarily stayed on the same route year after year, transporting multiple generations of families.
“I have even gotten to drive a grandkid of someone I drove early on in my career, and that has really pulled things in a full circle.”
She said working with children was the best part of the job.
“Kids can treat you like family and they always have something interesting to talk about… most of the time, I would rather talk to the kids than the adults.”
Over the years, McFadden has witnessed major changes in school bus safety—from manual stop signs to internal and external cameras, flashing safety lights, added signage, automatic equipment, and mandatory bus evacuation drills.
“When I began, I had to pull the stop sign out by hand because it wasn’t automated yet,” she said.
A highlight of her career came during the 1990 Manitoba Winter Games in Carman, when she transported athletes between venues. She also loved driving for field trips and learning about what students were doing in class.
In retirement, McFadden plans to focus on life on the farm, where she’s lived for many years.
“I might even come back to sub on my old route if they need somebody,” she added.
Jack Phillips is retiring from the Prairie Rose School Division after 22 years of service.
He joined PRSD in its inaugural year—2002, following the amalgamation of Midland and White Horse Plains—as principal of Carman Collegiate. In 2017, he moved to the division’s Hutterite Colony Schools.
Before joining PRSD, Phillips taught for two years in Tataskweyak Cree Nation and another five years in Balcarres, Sask., before settling in Carman.
He said it was the connection to community that drew him into education.
“I have enjoyed getting to know the communities I have worked in. Coaching numerous sports teams—both in the school and community—has brought me enjoyment over the years,” Phillips said.
“As a principal, I have always seen my role as being servient to my staff, to my students, and to the parents. Helping them achieve their goals and improve in their endeavours has guided my career.”
He recalled one particularly memorable moment while teaching outside with his class. Students were making goose calls when a flock of geese flew over the school yard—and suddenly, a shotgun fired several times at the birds.
No geese or students were harmed.
“Oh, how things have changed in education,” Phillips added.
In retirement, he plans to travel and spend more time with family as he bids farewell to a long career in education.
Other notable PRSD retirees include:
• Craig Baron, teacher for 24 years, most recently at Institut Collégial St. Paul’s Collegiate
• Alfred Bernardin, custodian for 22 years, most recently head custodian at St. François Xavier Community School
• Shelly McKay, head custodian at St. Paul’s Collegiate, with more than 11 years of service
• Ron Sugden, assistant superintendent at the PRSD division office, 12 years of service
• Samantha Milling, educational assistant at St. Paul’s Collegiate, with more than 18 years of service
Prairie Rose School Division plans to formally recognize all retirees for their dedication and years of service at a celebration this June.
