Education and Teaching

Marie was an excellent academic student and also learned to play the piano from the sisters at the Convent. She graduated in 1918, winning the Medal of Excellence for her scholastic achievements. Marie then started pursuing her education to become a teacher. It was a dream Marie had quite early in life.

Marie studied at the Norman School in Calgary for a year and then finished her Bachelor of Education through summer courses in Edmonton. In the early 1920’s Marie became a grade one teacher St. Albert’s Father Mérer School and taught there for two years.  She then spent four years teaching in Winterburn, Picardville, Lac La Biche and Chauvin. By this point Marie’s stepfather, Alfred Chevigny died and Marie felt the need to be with her mother. Marie returned to St. Albert and over forty years, taught at the Little White School and the Sturgeon Division School on Mission Ave. Aside from primarily teaching early elementary children, Marie also gave music lessons to students after school.

Likely due to her own journey, Marie was known for being especially understanding of new immigrant children who had difficulty with English and French. Marie loved teaching her young students so much, that she turned down an offer to become principal. Marie preferred to stay in the classroom instead of running a school.