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It was a visiting University of Alberta professor who convinced Annette Ramrattan to move from her native Guyana in South America (formerly British Guiana) to Alberta. The prof described a wonderful, vibrant province with a highly regarded university in its capital city and convinced Ramrattan to further her studies in Edmonton.
It was a big move for Ramrattan and her husband. They had a good life as teachers in Guyana but were becoming increasingly disaffected with the politics of the day. Ramrattan, armed with a sociology degree and a diploma in education, began studies at the University of Alberta in 1975, acquiring bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.
From 1975 to 1988 Ramrattan pursued her studies and worked as a sessional instructor at the U of A, taking a brief sojourn to teach and supervise education students at the University of Saskatchewan. During that time she also became a landed immigrant before finally attaining her Canadian citizenship.
Ramrattan and her family left Edmonton for Peace River in 1988 after she accepted a position as area superintendent for the Northland School Division. She stayed in that position for a few years and became assistant superintendent and finally superintendent. She retired in 2008.
Peace River’s small-town atmosphere was a big change for Ramrattan, but one she relished, saying, “I enjoyed working to improve the education of people in small communities.”
The job was not without its challenges, however. She talked about long drives to community and residential schools—the closest school was one hour away from central office and the region even had a fly-in school. What shocked her most were the conditions. “I was prepared to deal with people but I was not prepared for the conditions I saw—gravel roads and no running water in homes,” she said. “I was surprised to see this in a developed country like Canada.”
Despite having a demanding job and raising a family, Ramrattan took on other challenges. Her interest in community activities led her to serve as a Peace River town councillor from 1995 to 1999, where she served as council representative on the community services board and the joint youth educational services board. She also served on the Peace River library board, and the northeast library system board.
Town council, however, was not her first foray into politics. While still in her teens, Ramrattan volunteered for her favoured political party in Guyana. She also joined the Guyana Peace Council and participated in the World Congress of Peace Forces in Moscow in 1973.
Now retired and living in Edmonton with her husband of 47 years, Ramrattan still does contract work for Northland School Division and enjoys spending time with her three grandsons. She is proud of the job she and her husband have done with their son, a vice-principal in Innisfail. “He is involved with his community and is getting his children involved too. What more could I want?”
Modest about her accomplishments, Ramrattan believes everyone, not just teachers, should get involved in their community and help those who are less fortunate. “It’s important for us to be concerned about what’s going on in society,” she said. “We must always try to help young people who need our help.” Her advice to new and aspiring teachers is to get involved, believe in what you are doing and be committed to it.
