Teacher gives first-hand lesson on citizenship

[attach]7521[/attach]As Gail McGregor swore an oath to become a Canadian citizen, she hoped her students were paying close attention.

The John Ross Robertson school teacher was one of 59 to become citizens on Feb. 4, in a ceremony held at the school. Coordinated by school staff with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and presided over by Judge Joyce Frustaglio, the ceremony served as an opportunity for kids to experience their social studies lessons in action.

McGregor, a Boston native who has lived in Canada 22 years, said she wanted to enrich her Grade 5 students’ experience while making herself feel more a part of her community.

Speaking after the ceremony, the Lawrence Park resident and mother of three said she felt like a Canadian even if she felt like the “odd one out.”

“It occurred to me that I had to inform myself, as a non-Canadian, about the heritage and citizenship, so I decided to apply,” she said.

Becoming a citizen was a two-year process, and McGregor brought this year’s and last year’s Grade 5 classes into the fold, teaching them concepts such as the rights and responsibilities of Canadians and significant historical dates as part of social studies lessons.

Kate Fitzpatrick, 11, says she is loving the class and McGregor’s teaching style.

“She is really good at explaining things, she gives us extra help if we don’t understand anything, she’s a really nice teacher,” she said, adding that she was proud of her teacher when she passed the test and swore the oath.

“It’s really cool and it made me even more proud to be Canadian,” Fitzpatrick said. With everyone standing up, the judge led the audience through the citizenship oath, with McGregor and others repeating after her with right hands raised.

In a touching moment, she received her citizenship certificate and immediately hugged school principal Chris Rzepa.

“I didn’t realize how emotional it would be, to become, finally, a citizen,” McGregor reflected. “It was nice to do it at school with friends, my students and some of the staff.”