It was a pleasure to celebrate the accomplishments of Andrea Marsman with my colleagues in the legislature! Andrea is a friend and inspiration, and I was glad to wish her all the best in retirement after dedicated service both in advocacy and education.
You can watch the recorded Member Statement below:
PAUL WOZNEY « » : Speaker, I rise to celebrate the remarkable career and impact of a true trailblazer in public education in Nova Scotia – my friend and mentor, Andrea Marsman. Andrea is a brick house, a powerhouse woman whose vivacious fashion sense is matched only by her devoted professionalism.
Andrea will retire this year from active duty with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education as a vice-principal at Hammonds Plains Consolidated Elementary after a career spent teaching high school English, serving as languages department head at Woodlawn High School and Charles P. Allen High, and as a school counsellor and now school administrator.
A proud member of the historic African Nova Scotian community of Upper Hammonds Plains, her impact includes a lifetime of involvement with the Black Educators Association, serving provincially on a Council on African Canadian Education with the Department of Education and dozens of leadership roles that enrich learning and academic engagement for African Nova Scotian youth and girls across the province.
Andrea is the best boss I ever had. She recognized in me a capacity for leadership at a time in my career when I was struggling with parts of my life outside the classroom. Her belief in me as a teacher and a person helped me find stability and health, and is a major reason I have been able to serve in public office.
Andrea’s life in public schools has left an indelible mark on the lives of students, teachers, and colleagues like me. She is one of a kind who will truly be missed. We celebrate and thank her. We wish her good health, safe travels, and many years to make memories with those she values most.
