BUCHANAN, Beverley
Educational Leader, Innovator, lover of all things first class and world traveller, died peacefully in Vancouver on Tuesday, August 8, 2017. Born in Winnipeg in 1936 to George and Mary Buchanan, she is survived by her cousin Lois Buchanan of Brandon Manitoba.
Beverley excelled at school and when the family moved to Vancouver she attended Renfrew
Elementary and Gladstone High School. She was a member of its first graduating class. At Gladstone, Beverley was an outstanding and popular President of the Student Council, and Editor of the school newspaper, "The Glad Times". She was also an anonymous, regular contributor to the school's Dear Abby column, giving students advice on a number of personal issues, notably their love lives. Her second column dealt with the topic of fashion and shopping, two areas in which she remained a lifetime expert. Excelling at sports, Beverley played many. No girls' sports team was complete without Beverley Buchanan and usually as team captain.
Graduation led to teacher training and Normal School. Her career in Education began as a teacher at Queen Mary Elementary in Vancouver where past students described her as "the best teacher ever."
Rapid promotions followed. In her career she was Principal of Blueridge Elementary in
North Vancouver, where she created innovative programs that even today many educators have not surpassed.
She was also Principal of Matsqui Elementary where she created a climate of teaching for thinking.
Appointed Assistant Superintendent in Vancouver at a time when few women in the district were in Leadership positions, Beverley's impact was enormous. Always progressive and professional, Beverley inspired many women educators to be more progressive and assertive.
She was respected as a leader for her intelligence, skill and knowledge. Her sense of humour was legendary.
After Vancouver, Beverley played a senior leadership role in the Ministry of Education
Implementation Branch, planning and implementing curriculum change across British Columbia.
While at the Ministry she developed The Young Writers Project, which was the first inquiry and outcomes based project, to encourage and support young writers and teachers in schools.
She was Superintendent of schools in Powell River, BC.
Even in "retirement," Beverley continued supporting colleagues in education. She led school
accreditation teams and developed learning programs for educational assistants. She travelled the Province and did many school reviews.
Beverley's impact on education in British Columbia was significant and her commitment to better schools and teachers is still being felt, powered by the many educators she influenced directly or indirectly through her work.
A lover of first class hotels and restaurants, fine wines and good company, Beverley loved hearing stories and was great fun to be with. She was a dedicated shopper, an avid golfer and a world traveller.
Beverley will be missed by her lifelong friend Theresa Kratzer, her friend and travelling
companion of the past 20 years Wendy Gale, and the friends who will miss travelling and
laughing, dining, golfing, shopping and swapping stories with her. It was a life well lived. She will be sadly missed.
October 17, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province from Aug. 25 to Aug. 26, 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment