Voices of GIST: Brigitte Bartels-Hafner, a former teacher

For me, being an adult means passing on the experiences and what was good.

You grow, you develop and the experiences are always new.

I came to Canada in 1977, when I was quite young, 22 years old, and part of growing up was finishing my university education at U of T, starting a family with two children and teaching at a school.

Canada was a whole new culture for me. I got to know a lot of people and did a lot of things.

I taught at a Saturday school and helped organize the very first DSD exam (German Language Diploma) here in Southern Ontario. I was able to pass on everything I had learnt.

I came to GIST in 2002 and taught German and maths, among other subjects. I always say that GIST is small but nice, people know each other. The teachers are very committed and support each other. It was always interesting to interact with the many trainees.