Mary Vetter received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at the Unity and District Chamber of Commerce's annual Celebrate Unity event March 4.
Vetter teaches English as a second language and is a mentor to many new Canadians who have come and are coming to live in Unity and area.
Vetter's response, when she heard she was receiving the medal, was to say, "There's got to be somebody else out there that's done as much, if not more, than me." She described the honour as "very humbling."
Despite her modesty, Vetter's work with new Canadians encompasses far more than simply teaching English. For over 20 years, she has been a lifeline to people new to the community and country, even accommodating them in her own home until longer-term accommodations could be found. She has taught newcomers how to garden and then how to harvest, cook and preserve the results produced. She gives rides to appointments and work. She teaches driving and lets students use her car for practice. She helps find jobs. She goes with immigrants to the bank or credit union to help them fill out paperwork.
Vetter's love, concern and help to newcomers has had a ripple effect as more established immigrants now reach out in turn to help welcome and guide new ones. Yet Vetter is still there, always ready to lend a hand, a listening ear, advocacy when necessary and, of course, instruction in the English language. Along with teaching English, Vetter tutors school children if they are having trouble adjusting to the school curriculum that is so new to them.
Vetter also teaches long-time Canadians about some of the challenges newcomers face, building bridges between established residents and immigrants.
Vetter, who grew up on the family farm near Denzil, went to university and then returned home to teach at area schools. After marrying Mike Vetter in 1995, Vetter retired from teaching in order to raise and nurture their three sons.
But, she says, "Once you're a teacher, you're always a teacher." She added, "I love to help people and I love to be with people."
Mary and Mike moved to town after their boys were grown and gone. Vetter's love of teaching and concern for people opened her eyes to the fact there was a Chinese family in town who needed help.
Vetter took a course in teaching ESL, as well as a tutoring workshop, then worked with the Chinese newcomers. She has never looked back. She cannot put a figure to the number of people she has taught English to but others think it is probably now in the 100s. She describes the number as "quite a few but not too many. Never too many!"
Vetter's preference is to teach ESL on a one-to-one basis. Although North West Regional College would like her to get a classroom at the school and teach groups of eight to 10 people at a time, she does not feel that's the best option for her students. She explained students at a level 4 will be bored and not get anything out of instruction provided to level 1 students, while level 1 students will be completely lost and feel inadequate and hopeless during teaching of, for example, level 6.
Just in the first week or so of March, Vetter had six calls from students asking for help with drivers' education. They needed to prepare for the written exam so they could apply for a learner's licence. Even with this group, Mary will work with each person individually. "I love the one-on-one."
Along with finding one-on-one the best way to teach ESL, Vetter finds other advantages. In particular, it gives her a chance to get to know each person individually. In turn, the students become comfortable with Mary and come to her for help if they have other problems. Of course, as soon as she knows what the problem is, whatever it may be, Mary sets things in motion, either helping and advising herself or guiding people to the right agency or professional.
"You want to see them get ahead and get comfortable," she said. She likes seeing each person become more self-confident as they adjust to this new way of life and learn not only the language but also some of the Canadian ways.
One family was having a problem with their elementary school aged son, who was struggling. Teachers suggested he might have a learning disability. He had had a traumatic early childhood in his home country and was having trouble making friends and adjusting to Canada. Vetter spent the ensuing summer with him.
Every weekday he went to Vetter's. Although schoolwork was part of the package, he and Mary had fun too - doing lots of things together like going for ice cream and picking plums. Mary was as proud as any mother as she exclaimed this boy is now well into high school and an honour roll student with marks in the high 80s.
Vetter points out that, in working with her students, she learns as much if not more than they do. She is always quick to say no one's culture or traditions are better - only different. She enjoys learning about others' cultures and traditions.
Vetter hosts a social night at her home once a week so her students can meet each other. She tries to bring different nationalities together when she does this. In return, students include her in family celebrations, such as the baptism she was invited to in early March. While she likes every aspect of what she does, she likes being with the people the best.
Vetter's love, respect and concern for the newcomers in our midst is returned by the many students who have become her dear friends. Many new Canadians were at Celebrate Unity specifically so they could congratulate Mary on receiving her medal. Vetter said, "They have enabled me." She told her group of students at the event, "I didn't get this by myself. It's you guys."
Vetter sums up her efforts by saying, "Volunteering is the greatest choice I've made in my retirement years, and it pays dividends - joy! Joy in seeing success and problems solved." Although she has travelled extensively through the United States and Mexico, she says she's "met the greatest people here."
Many people in Unity, both newcomers and long-time residents, would most definitely include Mary Vetter, recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, in their own lists of the "greatest" people they've met.
