Tanye Heath was a female educator located in Mission, British Columbia who educated children with different learning needs and disabilities. Specifically, Mrs.Heath was Mission’s first teacher’s aide in 1973 and she continued her work until 1994. During this time Mrs.Heath worked in multiple schools across Mission including Mission Central, Windebank Elementary, and Albert McMahon Elementary. At every school, Tanye was able to connect with her students and focused on supporting them in any way possible. For instance, Mrs.Heath always came into school early and would volunteer her time to provide students with a healthy breakfast. This breakfast club gave her the opportunity to help children whose parents may not have enough money for breakfast or had forgotten to feed them breakfast. Not only did this breakfast club fill the stomachs of students but also their hearts because while serving breakfast Mrs.Heath would check in on them and ask them how they were doing. Without Mrs.Heath’s kindness and love, many of her students may not have had the opportunity to be energized and ready for the rest of the school day.
Another way in which Tanye Heath supported her students was by using photography to celebrate their life milestones and achievements at school. In Mrs. Heath’s personal documents she is seen taking photos of many of her students and of her co-workers. In one image she commemorates a student’s adoption and labels it “James Bolton a happy ending” (Heath, 1989-1994). In another photograph, Mrs.Heath celebrates her students’ achievement in receiving a school award and labels it “Jessica Landry receives WOW Award” (Heath, 1989-1994). Although it is unclear if Tanye provided her students with a copy of each photograph or if they were put into the yearbook, these photos were important to her students. The action of Mrs.Heath taking the time to photograph and remember her students’ moments is priceless. These personal moments between Mrs.Heath’s camera and her students allowed them to shine, feel supported, and know that their future was bright.
And even with the cameras turned off Mrs.Heath would continue to support students by writing them supportive notes. One note written by Tanye Heath to her student says “Who can brighten up a class with sparkling eyes (and a little sass). Who’s cheery smile can say hello and set the boys’ hearts a glow? Who is a girl I like so well? The secret’s out I’ll have to tell….. Gina” (Heath, 1980). This note from Mrs.Heath to her student Gina Mecker, would definitely have put a smile on Gina’s face. Although this note may seem like a small gesture, this small note would’ve given Tanye’s students the boost of confidence they needed to overcome a rough day at school. Another note Mrs.Heath wrote to help her student build their self-confidence was to Tanya Konkin “You’re a girl I can see with responsibility, In your work and in your play, with your pert little ways, and your clever essays You’ll find life comes easy to you” (Heath, 1980b). In this small note, Mrs.Heath is able to compliment her students’ personality traits and academic work, letting her students know that they are on the right track. Overall, these few sentences would have had a major impact on her students’ day and would help them feel connected to their educators including Mrs.Heath.
Although Tanye Heath was very humble and focused on her students’ progress, milestones, and achievements. There were many students and staff members at the schools she worked at who recognized how she went the extra mile for the school community. During her time as a teacher’s aid, she received many cards, notes, and gifts from her co-workers acknowledging how much she supported and advocated for students. Specifically, Tanye Heath received a teamwork award from the Windebank Elementary staff “Thanks for helping and being there for our students” (Windebank Elementary staff, 1992). Additionally, the principal at Mission Central sent Mrs.Heath a card that read “You’re an angel, you always walk the extra mile” (Pat, 1984). Lastly, the Principal at Albert McMahon Elementary sent Mrs.Heath a thoughtful gift with five pieces of school supplies. Each piece of school supplies came with a clever complement that focused on ways in which Mrs.Heath helped her students daily. For example, a highlighter Mrs. Heath received had a note “You know how to highlight the students’ strengths and make them feel successful” (Kris, N.D). Overall, these personal notes, cards, and gifts from Mrs.Heath’s co-workers are a testament to her character as a teacher.
Not only was Tanye Heath admired and congratulated by her peers but also her students. Before Mrs.Heath’s retirement, her students reminisced and expressed “I will remember when you were always patient with writing our journals” (Windebank Elementary, 1994) and “I’ll always remember you because you were the only one who took me camping” (Windebank Elementary, 1994). For an educator to receive compliments from other educators is a common courtesy. But for an educator to receive compliments from countless students is truly special. For students to enjoy school and feel comfortable in the classroom showcases that the educators in their lives were able to connect with them. In the classroom, Tanye Heath touched the lives of many students and created long-lasting relationships with those she educated at Mission Central, Windebank Elementary, and Albert McMahon Elementary.
Outside of her normal classroom duties, Tanye Heath took on extra responsibilities and became an advocate for teacher’s aides in British Columbia. As one of the first teacher’s aides in Mission, she was able to see how much the teacher’s aide position supported students with extra needs and disabilities. Thus Mrs.Heath was able to use her personal experiences and knowledge to pinpoint ways in which the school district could further support students with extra needs and disabilities. For instance, Tanye focused on the disruptiveness of the teacher’s aides moving from class to class and not having enough one-on-one time with their students. Specifically, Mrs.Heath says “A teacher aide for special classes cannot do justice two more than two classrooms. If an aide changes classrooms too often the time uninvolved to get there and settle in is wasted” (Heath, 1977).
Not only did Tanye Heath provide the school district with the major issue at hand but she also was clever enough to find solutions such as “ To protect the standard we wish for all children there needs to be one full-time teacher’s aide for every two classes that need extra attention” (Heath, 1977). Thus Tanye Heath’s patience and dedication to her work outside of school hours showcase her strong ties to the educational community. For many, this task would be too much extra work, but Tanye Heath welcomed this challenge with open arms. Since her beginning as a teacher’s aide in Mission, Tanye Heath was advocating for her students and other teacher’s aides. As an educator, she used her compassion, empathy, patience, dedication, and skills to ensure all students in her care knew they mattered and could achieve anything.