WATCH: Susan Hay reports on one Toronto teacher who is retiring after 49 years as an educator.
TORONTO – After teaching at Bialik Hebrew Day School for nearly half a century, Ziona Hagler has finally decided to retire.
Hagler always knew that she wanted to be a teacher.
“My father was a teacher, and his dream was that one of his children would be a teacher,” she said.
Fortunately for Hagler’s students, his dream came true.
“Ziona means a lot to the kids here,” said Ethan Kibel, the student council president. “Ziona brings a different aspect to this school, other than education. She brings a lot of extra curricular’s to this school — a lot of fun things for the students.”
“She’s involved in all the celebrations throughout the school with every single grade,” said the head of the school, Shana Harris.
Yet Hagler’s mark on the school goes well beyond plays and celebrations. Her daughter and grandchildren have all graduated from the school, and her youngest grandchild is graduating this June.
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“She’s taught me values that I will take with me my entire life,” said Shira Wine, Hagler’s granddaughter. “She’s taught me a love of Judaism and a love of Hebrew. She’s taught me honesty — so many values that I’ll need my entire life.”
After nearly five decades at Bialik, Hagler wants to be remembered for helping people, caring about the state of Israel, and for caring about the school.
“I hope that they will remember me,” said Hagler. “I tried to give them the love of whatever I had.”
Harris is certain that Hagler will be missed for many years to come.
“I think the fact that she has been at our school for 49 years…is beyond remarkable.”
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