As passionate as when she started, “with rose-colored glasses, but not too much”, she will be back in class in January. This is all the more surprising given that in recent months, many teachers in their fifties have preferred to leave the education sector and advance their retirement because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the beginning of last summer, Marie José Fiset heard an interview on the radio about the needs, greater than ever, to help children in their education, undermined by containment and the pandemic. It appealed to me a lot
, she says. She has also heard of young teachers who are given classes that are too difficult for them and who leave the profession, discouraged and burnt out before their time.
Someone around me has tried to discourage me! But I was like, ‘They need me. I can do something for these children. Prepare them for high school or, if I have a welcome class, prepare them to love Quebec, to speak French. “
Seeing the children playing in the alley behind her house in the Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie district, she thought that her baggage of experiences could be useful. For 22 years, Marie José Fiset taught French, English and Latin in private secondary schools in Montérégie, before leaving to experience new challenges in Africa as a humanitarian aid worker.
Africa has changed its outlook
12 years ago, she was tired of teaching: the impression of repeating herself, that her life was all mapped out until retirement. Her youngest son, aged 17, was going to live with her father, from whom she was separated. It was the right time to realize his dream of going on a humanitarian mission.
In the far north of Cameroon, Marie José Fiset worked to improve access to education for young girls. Then, she repeated the experience in Burkina Faso and Niger. For three years, his role consisted of convincing parents, meeting school principals, providing training and recruiting teachers.
It was extremely difficult, but also extremely rewarding. We here do not know what it is, young girls who cannot go to school.
Marie José Fiset in Niger with young girls, in 2011.
Photo: Radio-Canada / (courtesy)
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She then went to Haiti with the Paul Gérin-Lajoie Foundation. She set up school cooperatives there, allowing parents to set aside money to pay for children’s school fees.
Back in Quebec, Marie José Fiset held various jobs in the field of philanthropy. Until recently, she was the Executive Director of the organization Together for Diversity, which organizes workshops in schools to talk about diversity and inclusion. I made a lot of changes in my life
, she admits. But I have always had a connection with education.
In the midst of a pandemic, she heard the appeal of the Quebec Ministry of Education to encourage retired teachers to return.: “Do I go back? This is really now that I can do it. In two years, it will be too late, I will be 58. ” I really felt that call. But I took a long time to think about it. “,” Text “:” Quietly, the work was done in my head: “Do I go back? This is really now that I can do it. In two years, it’s going to be too late, I’ll be 58. “I really felt that call. But I took a long time to think it over. “}}” Lang = “fr”>Quietly, the work was done in my head: “Am I going back? It’s really now that I can do it. In two years, it will be too late, I will be 58 years old.” I really felt that call. But I took a long time to think.
She expects to earn less, but the question has only crossed her mind. I tell myself that there is not only money in life, anyway, and that we have to realize ourselves.
Immediately candidate, immediately hired
When she made up her mind, she contacted the Montreal School Service Center. She had to go in search of her diplomas, with her mother, in particular a baccalaureate and a certificate in primary and secondary education. Then she applied and was interviewed.
A golden candidacy, in the current context.
Immediately, she found herself on the list of replacements, but forced to decline offers that arrived too quickly.
Marie José Fiset wants to teach in the reception class, or with students of 5e or 6e year. His request surprised the recruiting department of the School Service Center. It’s rare that teachers claim these classes
, he was told. Because the challenges are greater
.
Indeed, students in reception classes, who arrived as immigrants or refugees, sometimes do not speak either French or English. As for the students of 3e primary cycle, they must be prepared for secondary school. Not easy in this time of uncertainty. How do we prepare them, without knowing what will happen? In Montreal, they missed three months of school! It takes people who really want to get involved.
I have always said that teaching is a vocation. And that I still believe. Looks like it’s stronger than ever.
Marie José Fiset watches the children play in the courtyard of the Saint-Barthélémy school, in the Villeray district.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Myriam Fimbry
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The pandemic could have deterred her a bit, right? She thinks about it regularly, she knows that there are outbreaks in schools. But when you’ve had malaria twice, COVID, uh …
she replies, philosopher. I can catch it anywhere, anytime. If we start to look at everything that prevents us from doing things, ultimately we never do anything.
In fact, the opposite has happened: this very particular year made him want to get involved. Near her home, there is a CHSLD. It’s my way of helping. Me, I will not go as an attendant. But I can do one thing, I can go to education. This is my strength, and this is what I want to do. It is a decision that comes from the heart, but which is also reasoned.
This is what also pushed her, in 2017, to take a sabbatical leave to help the school of relief of Ali and the princes of the street. The boxing school, in the Saint-Michel district of Montreal, offers a class for young people of all ages who have dropped out of school and no longer have a place to go.
She prefers public school
Curiously, despite his experience in private schools, it is the public sector that attracts him today. It goes with everything I’ve done in the last few years
, she explains. The public school is very, very battered. There are beautiful things that are being done, very beautiful things! The public deserves to have dedicated people who believe in its usefulness.
I really feel like a young teacher. I think I could bring that energy, bring new blood, from someone who chose to go, when I could finally put my two feet on the beanbag. I believe a lot in the next.
What he missed most, during his 12 years of absence, is the transmission of knowledge. To be able to bring a student from point A to point B, to point C, to a goal. It is a privilege to be able to make people become better.
Marie José Fiset will therefore begin her new life as a teacher after the holiday break. In accordance with her wish, she will be given a welcome class, in her neighborhood, at Saint-Bathélémy school. The children in the alley behind her house will soon be able to meet her in the corridors of their school.
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To play with friends, it’s over there! Ruelle de Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Myriam Fimbry
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