Jo Hillerby and Jeanette Booth started their teaching careers on the same day at the same school, Tapawera Area School. And now they have retired the same day too.
Students at their farewell spoke of the huge impact both have had on the lives of many students. One student said they were extremely supportive ‘whether it was fixing young students uniforms or fixing the tears of teenagers.’
Jeanette and Jo’s careers were full of variety they say comes from working in an area school.
“Tapawera is such a great opportunity. You get to teach 5 year to 18-year-olds,” says Jeanette.
They trained as primary teachers but ended up teaching all age groups and enjoyed the flexibility and the small class sizes of 7 to 12 students.
“We didn’t retrain, just learned on the job. As the need arises people just take the opportunities,” says Jeanette.
She says she isn’t a good cook and doesn’t do it for pleasure but enjoyed teaching home economics.
“When people are very good at something, they may not be very good at teaching it because they want to take over when it’s done the wrong way,” she says.
She remembers her first day as scary but says starting with five and six-year-olds made it easier.
Jeanette and Jo moved to Tapawera when they married local men.
Jo has fond memories of musicals where she helped backstage with costuming. She also appreciated those who had left school still acknowledging her when they see her.
Her career included teaching new entrants, intermediate students, home economics, reading recovery, careers advising, health education and looking after the trade’s academy at Tapawera.
“It kept it interesting,” she says.
Jo and Jeanette didn’t plan to retire together but had acknowledged they were thinking about it. They are looking forward to time with grandchildren.