Annual Report 2017–2018 | Page 28

26 Annual Report 2017 – 2018 Pillar 3: Extraordinary Teachers LIVING HER LOVE FOR TEACHING 40 Years at Crofton House School When Aubin Stewart lists the job titles she’s held during her 40-year tenure at Crofton House, she laughs and jokes that she’s done just about every job in the School. And she very nearly has. As Aubin, who retired at the end of the 2017 - 2018 school year, looks back on her four decades behind the ivy walls, today’s thriving home economics program is one of her proudest accomplishments. While the program had humble beginnings – including Aubin cramming sewing machines and stoves between the benches and sinks of an old science laboratory – today, it is a unique draw for students with a passion in applied arts. Since starting in 1976 as the School’s only home economics teacher, Aubin has been the Head of School ’s Executive Assistant, teacher sponsor for the hockey team, costume designer (and creator!) for drama productions, the first Creative Arts Department Head and an Associate Director in “It’s such an easy program for schools the Senior School. In every role, Aubin to cut because it’s expensive to run, has been indispensable to the fabric of and I really was an advocate for the Crofton House. importance of these kinds of life When Dr. Patricia Dawson, Head of skills,” she says. “I feel so proud that School, started at CHS in 2000 Aubin we offer foods and textiles, and think was well entrenched in School life. it speaks very highly of us.” “Trained as a home economist myself, I felt a connection with Aubin that crossed over the many roles she played in the School over the 18 years we worked together. She was always my “go to” person when I wanted to know the story or history behind the many CHS traditions.”