Celebrating 25 Years of Friendship, Leadership, and Steadfast Support

“A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of themselves and their contribution to praise the skills of others.” – Norman Shidle

Some teams dissolve when the work ends. Ours didn’t.

Twenty-five years ago, we came together to support students, teachers, staff, and school communities across the South Shore. Each of us entered this work with different strengths, experiences, and perspectives, and together we formed a team built on trust, honesty, and deep respect. During those years, we lifted one another up, supported each other during challenges, and celebrated the wins, big and small, that shaped our professional lives.

Over time, our paths carried us into different roles across the province: Regional Boards, DEECD, NSTU. Titles changed, responsibilities shifted, and our work expanded in new directions. One constant remained: our commitment to supporting one another. Even as we took on different roles, the trust we built remained steady, rooted in shared purpose and the goal of supporting public education.

Now retired, we continue to gather around the table, not as colleagues focused on public education, but as friends focused on respect, gratitude, and a genuine desire to see one another thrive. We show up for each other in celebrations, in loss, and in the everyday moments that make life meaningful.

For me, living with stage IV breast cancer has taught me the importance of supportive relationships. Resilience is not something we build alone; it is strengthened by the people who walk beside us. These women have buoyed me in challenging times, celebrated my wins, and reminded me that even as life changes, the relationships we nurture endure.

Twenty-five years later, I remain grateful for this circle of strong women who continue to show up with laughter, compassion, perspective, and unwavering support. They inspire me, energize me, and remind me of the power of community and team.

Teams may begin with shared work. Friendships like these continue because of shared hearts.