Teacher named 'Honorary UN Peacekeeper'

A Charles C. McLean Public School teacher who has made the Canadian Forces part of her classroom has been named an “Honorary UN Peacekeeper.”

Heather Jefkins received the recognition from Lt. Col. Richard Quinn, Task Force Commander for Operation Soprano for her “professionalism, dedication and service to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.”

She received a United Nations blue beret and badge as a token of their appreciation.

“It has been a pleasure corresponding with you over the course of my tour here in South Sudan,” wrote Quinn. “It was an honour to have been involved with your classroom instruction. It represents one of the highlights of my tour.”

Quinn thanked Heather Jefkins, the Grade 7/8 students of Charles C. McLean Public School, and the community of Gore Bay for the “very special” Treats for Troops Christmas packages.

“Together, we managed to bring the giving spirit of Christmas to my team who were here then,” he said.

The “Treats for Troops” Program benefits the students as much as the peacekeepers. Students not only gain reading, writing and computer skills, they also build character and learn a rich lesson in life.

Peacekeepers have visited the school to share their experience with students.
Royal Canadian Air Force Major Leslie Doering recently travelled from Ottawa to Gore Bay after completing his six-month deployment as a Military Liaison Officer (MLO) with the UN in Raja, South Sudan.

“I believe that we create excellent citizens when we give them real life opportunities to see not only how our world in Canada works and how our political system gives us all a voice, but also how the rest of the world works and how Canadians make a difference on a global scale,” Jefkins said.

Jefkins, who has been involved with the Canadian Forces since 2006, has met many peacekeepers who have helped her achieve her goals as an educator.

“I combine curriculum with character development in my class,” she says. “It has been an amazing experience, one that I plan to continue in the next school year.”