Name: Dave Levson
Occupation: Teacher
Years teaching: 46 (40 in Cochrane)
Year retiring: 2014
Educated at: University of Calgary (class of 1970)
Schools having taught at: Substitute for first two years in Calgary; Collingwood Elementary (Calgary); Andrew Sibbald Elementary (now Holy Spirit); Elizabeth Barrett Elementary; Glenbow Elementary; two years in Oregon, U.S.; Manachaban Middle School (one year in 93-94, returning in 1996 until present).
Name: Dave Levson
Occupation: Teacher
Years teaching: 46 (40 in Cochrane)
Year retiring: 2014
Educated at: University of Calgary (class of 1970)
Schools having taught at: Substitute for first two years in Calgary; Collingwood Elementary (Calgary); Andrew Sibbald Elementary (now Holy Spirit); Elizabeth Barrett Elementary; Glenbow Elementary; two years in Oregon, U.S.; Manachaban Middle School (one year in 93-94, returning in 1996 until present).
Current subjects: Grade 7 (Math, science, shop, physical education; outdoor education, health)
Coaching: Soccer, basketball
Year moved to Cochrane: 1971
Eagle: What is your most memorable moment as a teacher?
Dave: Climbing Mount Yamnuska with my students and doing nature and science studies during our climb and on the way back to camp. The whole experience of it…the great feeling the kids had climbing to the top and learning about pond studies; we taught them all kinds of things like horseback riding and nature appreciation.
Eagle: Is living in Cochrane an important factor when it comes to your teaching?
Dave: It’s very important, because you get to understand families and the occupations of the families…you get an understanding of them. Teaching several generations you get to develop a rapport with many parents and students.
Eagle: What will you miss most now that you will no longer be a teacher?
Dave: Getting to know more students and caring about them. Helping them learn math, science and how to build things.
Eagle: What has changed the most during your time as a teacher?
Dave: The increase in technology. It’s made it so that there’s more immediate information that can be gained, and it’s more visual. There are positives and negatives for that: it gives a greater variety of ways to understand concepts, yet students also always want to look at their devices constantly.
Eagle: How about a lightening round? How many bones are in the human body?
Dave: 206
Eagle: What is the chemical symbol for gold?
Dave: AU
Eagle: Is Pluto a planet?
Dave: Yes. Some would debate that, but it is.
Eagle: Which wood is most commonly used in schools for student projects?
Dave: Pine.
Dave will be holding a retirement party June 7 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Manachaban gymnasium. All of Dave’s former and current students, parents and staff members are invited to attend; there will be snacks and refreshments, slideshows, speeches and a student list with pictures through Dave’s 46 years in the classroom. Parents are also welcome to bring displays of student work from any subject.
Please email [email protected] by June 4 if you would like to attend, and indicate if you are a student, parent (or both) or a staff member.
Eagle: Finally, Dave, what are you going to do now that you are no longer going to be a teacher?
Dave: I’m going to visit my 11 grandchildren, and of course, go fishing, hunting, horseback riding and kayaking.
Dave has also been nominated for a 2014 Cochrane Community Award.
