Long time Amherst staff members recognized with 40 Year Pins
Wendy Munro and Jim Goulin honoured
Posted By Ron Giofu & Charlie King
Posted 8 months ago
AMHERSTBURG — Two long-time members of the General Amherst High School staff have been recognized for their years of service.
Secretary of General Amherst Guidance Services Wendy Munro received a "40-Year Pin" in recognition of her dedication to General Amherst High School and the Greater Essex County District School Board. This is the second pin awarded in two years as General Amherst's Caretaker Jim Goulin also reached his 40-Year mark in 2007.
"Everyone has to hit 30 years for their pension," said General Amherst principal Pat Catton. "Not many people reach the 40 mark."
Catton went on to say they've seen a lot of history go on in General Amherst as Munro and Goulin described how much change has taken place over the years. "I've seen the enrolment reach about 1,800 students in one year," said Munro. Today, the school has currently enrolled 850 students. Goulin described when the school grounds were surrounded by portables. They have seen Sandwich Secondary School, Western Secondary School and St. Thomas of Villanova Secondary School all based out of Amherst at one time and have been through school board amalgamations from the Amherstburg District School Board to the Essex County District School Board to the current Greater Essex County District School Board.
Both agreed the biggest change they have seen is the development of the technology they've used over the years. Munro noted that the first fax she ever sent went to Belgium "and I couldn't believe you could put it in, get your copy back and they'd get it over in Belgium."
Munro noted that when she got interviewed to work at the school, which came right after she graduated as a student from General Amherst, it wasn't in her long-term goals to stay there the whole time.
"In my interview for the job, I said I only wanted to work one year here then move to Toronto," said Munro, with a laugh.
Munro also noted there was one other time she flirted with a job change, as she had an application form filled out when a Ford plant was opening in Windsor but after the amount of "hellos" she received when walking through the school one morning, she decided that was the place she wanted to be. Goulin also is a former student at the school, starting as a secretary and moving to caretaking in 1973.
One thing that hasn't changed is the staff and students.
"The staff is so welcoming everyday, the teachers always say this school is the best they've taught at," said Munro. Goulin said they've been here so long, they have come across the grandchildren of people they know. Goulin said he has seen a lot of so-called "bad kids" turn out to be solid members of the community. Both Goulin and Munro have seen about ten principals come and go along with many staff members.
Goulin describes the 40-Year Pin as a "personal achievement" and said it holds sentimental value.
"I just can't believe it's been 40 years," stated Munro. "I still come to work and enjoy every day."
"They're like Energizer Bunnies," Catton stated. "They're still going strong."
Munro plans to continue her work at General Amherst and Goulin plans to retire the end of December after 42 years of work in General Amherst and about 15 years in other schools.
