This month, Raizel Candib, principal of the English Montreal School Board’s (EMSB) Merton Elementary School, walks out the doors leaving behind a legacy of beloved teacher, as she retires after 47 rewarding years in the field of education in the public and Jewish school systems.

Candib began her career as a teacher at the former Wagar High School in Côte St. Luc. She later took on the administrative roles of vice-principal at Willingdon Elementary School, principal at Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School and Willingdon, and a four-year term as principal at Bialik High School.

She has been at Merton, which is in Côte St. Luc, for 13 years.

Candib embraced the evolution in education, from the use of technology in the classroom to robotics and child-centred teaching.

No matter what changes have come into play, she stands firm on two essential ingredients that ensure a student’s success and happiness at school: “Children need to be loved and respected. Always. That never changes.” 

According to Candib, in the 1960s and  ’70s, there was less concern about the high school dropout rate as employment was easier to come by. The advent of technology significantly decreased the number of jobs not requiring a diploma.

“It’s become very important to make sure that graduating students have skills for a variety of job markets,” explained Candib. “We don’t just graduate students at age 14, which was the case when I taught high school, and jobs were available.”

Throughout her career, Candib has seen educators become more sensitive to students’ needs, ensuring their success both academically and personally. “We’ve become aware of how children learn differently,” she added. “We’ve been fortunate to see support services come into place that weren’t there before.”

Candib attributes much of this to the advancements in the science of the brain and how it works, and to heightened awareness of all learning abilities.

In her role as principal, Candib maintained an open-door policy. She read and commented on every report card, and nurtured close relationships with her students, their families, and her staff. She encouraged educators to raise the bar because, in her experience, students love to be challenged and can do more than we expect.

“Children do not compete against each other,” she said, “they compete against themselves.”

She emphasizes the importance of parent involvement in their child’s schooling. Candib takes pride in the fact that many of the students she taught at Wagar are now Merton parents.

She encourages educators to speak their mind when necessary, to not be afraid to take on a leadership role or to ask questions, to empower one another and the students, to remain flexible, be loving, warm and caring, but to not be afraid of “tough love.”

Candib looks forward to an active retirement, which will include volunteering at the Jewish Public Library and indulging in her love of history. She currently trains guides at the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre, and will lead tours herself. She has been associated with the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre for decades.

She plans to take up piano once again in hopes of mastering Chopin’s waltzes, delve into ballet and folk dance, and travel.

A multi-faceted person, Candib’s activities outside of school hours, including being a wife and mother, have always complemented her work, and vice versa. “All the various things that you are contribute to who you are at work,” she said.

She will retire knowing that she has made a tremendous difference in many students’ lives, particularly in times when intervention was needed. “You have to stick your neck out. I don’t believe in being the bystander,” she said. “History has taught us.”

EMSB commissioner Bernard Praw refers to Candib as the consummate professional. “Raizel is dedicated to the nth degree,” he said.  “She cares deeply for her students and makes sure that they and the school have everything they need.”

Rosanna Caplan, currently vice-principal of Roslyn Elementary School, is replacing Candib as principal of Merton.

“Mrs. Candib was a mentor to me in introducing me to the EMSB in the same way that she is now introducing me to her school,” said Caplan. “We’ve discussed many topics and our approaches to education are very similar in many areas.”