Retirement 2021: Ingrid Terwiel jumps sides from EA to (grand)parent

Ingrid Terwiel has had an excellent 21 years with Surrey Schools, but becoming an education assistant (EA) wasn't her initial path into working in schools.

"I was going to university to be a teacher and it was overwhelming, and someone suggested I take the EA course instead," she recalled. "It got me into the educational system pretty quickly, and once I started, I absolutely loved it - I enjoyed every moment of being an EA, it really fit for me."

Terwiel is one of 244 employees who retired in the past school year. She started on the EA spareboard, working on call at schools across the district before settling at Guildford Park Secondary in the BASES program for the last 12 years of her career. She supported numerous students with special needs, including one who holds a special place in Terwiel's heart as one of her favourite memories.

"My students participated in the AIM Games and (organizer) Deb Murin always had a special needs student introduce themselves," she said. "I volunteered this student and prepared his speech. He had a head injury that caused him to be forgetful, so I would turn the pages of his script.

"I coached him through it. It was so amazing, and at the end, everybody gave him a standing ovation - it was absolutely a highlight."

Now that she's retired, Terwiel is looking after a different child: her six-year-old granddaughter, Peyton. Sadly, Terwiel's daughter-in-law passed away two-and-a-half years ago, and her son is battling addiction, but she is grateful to be able to care for Peyton and help her excel with her added knowledge of the school system.

"I never thought I would be raising another child, but she is the love of my life," said Terwiel. "She is so entrusting. At school, she's wonderful, she's one of the smartest kids and she's helpful and kind. She's amazing and I feel really blessed."

Terwiel said she hopes to someday have an opportunity to volunteer at a school and see some of her former colleagues again.

She also shares some advice for new hires in the district: "I've always said, 'Don't hover, the kids don't need another mother, they need an educator,'" she said. "EAs are there to support students in their education. Caregiving is part of it but education is number one and this is where they need to learn new things."

Congratulations on your retirement, Ingrid! Thank you for all your hard work in the district! You have left a lasting mark and we appreciate all that you have done.