Miss Fletcher: An exceptional teacher, an exemplary citizen

Frances Mariam Fletcher was born on Nov. 16, 1906 to Kirkland and Mossy Fletcher (McGarvey) on a farm near Saskatoon. She completed her elementary education in Melfort and high school in Saskatoon. In addition, Miss Fletcher earned an arts degree from Queen's University in Kingston in 1939 and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1941.

Four generations of Miss Fletcher's forebears were stalwart and resourceful immigrants from Ireland and England who settled in Upper Canada (Ontario) in the 1830s. The Fletchers, imbued with the Protestant work ethic, made a good living in the milling industry. In the 1880s, Miss Fletcher's paternal grandparents moved to Saskatoon. Miss Fletcher's father, Kirkland, graduated from Queen's University with a degree in chemical engineering in 1905. In the same year, he married Mossie McGarvey, a fiery and resolute woman of Irish descent. His accomplishments in business included a successful wholesale electrical business and a furniture store. It seems that Miss Fletcher inherited her love of education and adventurous nature from her father, and her determination and independent spirit from her Irish mother.

After receiving her teaching certificate, Miss Fletcher embarked on a great adventure - determined to teach in every corner of  Saskatchewan. Her first school was at Henderson - "at the edge of civilization" - near Ridgedale. Her students came from farming families who were predominantly Jewish and Norwegian. Miss Fletcher's multi-graded class was composed of 32 students, of whom only three were girls. It was not unusual for the school superintendent to show up unexpectedly. On one occasion, he knocked on the door which was opened by a young girl with long ringlets. When he asked to see the teacher, the diminutive Miss Fletcher, rather embarrassed, drew herself up to almost five feet, and with as much dignity as she could muster, replied, "I, sir, am the teacher."

Miss Fletcher also had many non-teaching stories to tell. She recalled breaking ice on the basin in the morning in order to wash before classes commenced. She remembered skiing miles to visit families of her students and then skiing miles back to her teacherage. She remembered riding in a horse-drawn, closed-in caboose complete with a wood-burning heater. Nor could she forget the time it tipped over - pitching and rolling over snow drifts. And, she noted that although the Prohibition era was coming to an end, home brew flowed freely in the community. Miss Fletcher also related that Saturday night dances were the major social event, and were always exciting because of the fights.

Miss Fletcher's next school was at Greenvale, near Luseland. The community was made up of residents who were of German and Russian descent. Miss Fletcher had the distinction of being the only teacher who stayed for an entire year. Other schools in which she taught included Radisson, Raymore, Welwyn, Broadview, Assiniboia, and Rosetown. She recalled with fondness the seven years she spent at Raymore. It was there that she felt that she had come into her own as a professional educator with the training and experience to provide excellent instruction. At Raymore, Miss Fletcher was at the top end of the teachers' pay scale - $700 per annum. But when one considers that she had to correct 39 sets of exams over the Christmas holidays, the princely sum of $700 does not seem extravagant.

In 1945, the public high school board hired Miss Fletcher to teach English at the North Battleford Collegiate Institute. On her arrival at NBCI, she was appointed head of the English department, a position she held until her retirement in 1970. She taught English and drama - her two academic passions. Miss Fletcher's students soon realized that she was a highly competent teacher who could be pleasant and engaging. They also quickly learned that she could be sharp and uncompromising if they failed to respond appropriately. In contrast to the educational ideology of today, she made it clear that she was the teacher and her instructions were to be followed. She was intolerant of sloppy speech, and she did not tolerate misbehaviour. Were her methods effective? The results speak for themselves. Miss Fletcher consistently produced outstanding students. At NBCI, her stature and reputation as an exceptional teacher steadily grew. Many of her students excelled in English and drama to the extent that university professors could often tell who had passed through her classroom.

Miss Fletcher was liked, respected and admired by her colleagues despite that fact that she had little regard for the status quo and would fearlessly engage anyone who disagreed with her opinions. She was in possession of a proud and exceptionally strong personality. She would not back up for anyone, especially a male teacher. Miss Fletcher was an ardent feminist long before feminism became entrenched in our popular culture.

In her third year at NBCI, Miss Fletcher assumed responsibility for the school's music program. Over the years, many wonderful operettas and musicals were staged. The most notable was the H.M.S. Pinafore. She also started an all-girls chorus, and later organized a mixed girls and boys chorus. On one occasion, the football coach was upset because some of his players had skipped line practice in order to step into Miss Fletcher's chorus line.

During her final years at NBCI, Miss Fletcher gave up her cherished English and drama classes and taught remedial English to boys. Characteristically, she was able to help her young charges learn enough English to succeed.

Although Miss Fletcher's teaching and extracurricular load was demanding and time-consuming, she nevertheless found the means to help young people outside the school. Miss Fletcher was involved with Girl Guides for 40 years - as a Brown Owl, Guide Captain and District Commissioner. She helped hundreds of girls learn responsibility, acquire life skills and build confidence. And, as if she didn't have enough commitments, she served two terms as president of the University Women's Club.

Miss Fletcher had a great love for nature. She appreciated the outdoors, and she had a particular interest in bird watching. She also carefully landscaped her English garden and generously shared its produce. Her yard, of course, was meticulously maintained.

Miss Fletcher was a woman of faith. She set a sterling example for all by reading the Bible daily and meditating on the scriptures. Miss Fletcher also sang alto in the St. Paul's Anglican Church choir for 35 years. Variously, during this time, fellow choir members included altos Connie Tubb, Mrs. (Bert) Tatchell, Mr. Leonard and Walter Pratt. The choir, directed by Phoebe Cutbush, was a wonderful success - greatly appreciated by parishioners and non-parishioners alike. Miss Fletcher also helped with services at the Lodge. In addition, she edited the Epistle (the church's periodical) for twelve years. She even made coffee on Sunday mornings before services.

After retirement, Miss Fletcher's generosity and desire to help the less fortunate was even more evident. She invested a great deal of time teaching English to immigrants. She travelled extensively - to Spain, California and Mexico. In Cuernavaca, Mexico, she found a home for boys who had a great need to learn English. So, of course, she agreed to teach them. And, every winter for years, Miss Fletcher loaded her Land Rover with clothing, shoes, toiletries and school supplies (donated by North Battleford businesses) and made the trip to Mexico to give to the poor.

Colleagues, students, parents and citizens had the greatest respect for Miss Fletcher. They greatly appreciated her talent, work ethic and commitment to her profession. So it was expected that she should be praised and commended. But she was also formerly recognized and greatly honoured as The Lady of the Year for 1972 by the Beta Sigma Phi. She was lauded for her community leadership, professional stature, ideals and friendship.

After a long and productive life preparing young people for life and citizenship, selfless service to her community and helping the poor in distance lands, Miss Fletcher passed from this world on Nov. 11, 2004 at the age of 98. We thank and honour this most remarkable woman. On the occasion of North Battleford's centennial, we recognize Miss Fletcher as one of our city's truly great citizens. (Source: Ron and Mary Jean Dewald scrap book - contributions by Islae Johnson, Joan Bunce, Peter Tarnowsky)