‘She was the carrier of our history’: Colchester Adult Learning Association honour former teacher
TRURO – Bonnie MacDonald was more than just an educator; she was a dear friend and a mentor.
MacDonald, who had worked as an instructor at the Colchester Adult Learning Association (CALA), passed away earlier this year. Due to pandemic restrictions, a proper chance to say goodbye was not possible.
On Oct. 5, students and staff from CALA gathered at the King Street Community Garden to hold a ceremony in MacDonald’s memory. It was there, many years earlier, that MacDonald joined Executive Director Mary Teed to plant a cherry tree,
“Bonnie has done so much for us individually and collectively as a group, and we don’t want to forget what she’s given us,” said Teed.
CALA is a community-based not-for-profit organization in Truro, N.S. that provides opportunities for adults to continue their education and learning goals. Skills include reading, writing, and math, as well as a skill in programming and digital literacy.
“She’s really a big part of everything that we do, we have done. She was the carrier of our history,” Teed said.
Remembering MacDonald
Teed described MacDonald as a quiet leader who was accepting of everyone.
“Bonnie was my teacher, but she was also my friend. I miss her a lot and she was very special to me,” Teed said emotionally.
MacDonald made sure everyone she met felt welcome, and accepted all her students no matter what walks of life they came from. The feeling translated through the ceremony that day, as refreshments were offered, and displayed on the Cape Breton tartan.
“In true Bonnie fashion,” Teed said.
MacDonald’s son, Mark MacDonald, joined the small ceremony to talk about his mother and her passion for learning.
“From her early days when she graduated from teachers’ college, she would substitute teach wherever she could,” he said. “She would volunteer with adults during literacy week. Teaching has always been a lifelong passion of hers.”
He continued, saying MacDonalds’ legacy will live on in the students she taught and in the halls of CALA.
“I’m really proud of my mom, and I’m lucky to be her son.”
