The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1971, Page 16

14
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
WINTER 1971
atchewan. He attended school at
Wynyard, later in Winnipeg at the
Jon Bjarnason Academy. He continued
his studies at the University of Man-
itoba, where he earned degrees in
Science, Arts and Education.
At an early age Jon turned to
teaching, and knew the joy and the
toil of serving in one-room schools in
isolated communities. Later he was
a classroom teacher in the Gimli
School. In 1932 he was appointed
principal at Arborg and from 1935 to
1947 he held the same position at
Gimli. He then moved to the Provin-
cial Normal School (later known as
Manitoba Teachers College) and
taught science and mathematics. With-
in a few years he became assistant
principal.
The excellence of his organization
and administration of a large and
complex institution soon became ap-
parent. Perhaps more striking was his
personal concern for those who came
within his sphere. Enrolment at the
College averaged about six hundred,
including one hundred to three hun-
dred resident students. Add to these
a large academic staff and an even
larger support staff and one begins to
have some idea of the magnitude of
the task facing an administrator.
Nothing daunted, as each new term
began, Jon set about learning the
names of his students, something of
their home background and some-
thing of the problems each individual
faced as he or she ventured upon a
demanding career. It is no* at all sur-
prising to those who worked with him
that he was at one time urged to as-
sume the principalship of the College.
He said frankly, that he was too close
to the age of retirement to accept the
appointment. Jon’s memory for names
and faces and for events was phenom-
enal. And he was ever eager to hear
more of the triumphs and the tragedies
that beset his former charges. On
meeting one of them, perhaps years
later, he would question him in a
manner reminiscent of his years in the
classroom, leaving no doubt as to the
sincerity of his interest. In return he
had news of other former students.
It was always with pride that he told
of their lives. Wherever Jon went he
seemed to become the centre of a
group. And humour was never long
absent for Jon relished a good story.
In fact, every moment of the brief but
bewildering time we spend on this
earth was of importance and interest
to J6n.
In 1965 the University of Manitoba
assumed responsibility for the train-
ing of teachers in this part of the
province and Manitoba Teachers Col-
lege was no more. Jon transferred
with the academic staff to the Faculty
of Education at the University. He
was appointed associate professor.
Here he remained for only one year,
devoting his time almost exclusively
to the organization of practical train-
ing which student teachers receive in
the public schools. In the spring of
1966 he ended his long and eventful
professional career. Friends and col-
leagues gathered at the University to
express their gratitude and their good
wishes. On several occasions friends
met more informally with J6n to bid
him Godspeed.
Much could be said about the part
played by Jon in community affaris.
Fresh in the memory of many residents
of Gimli is his work during the war
years.The people of that town, along
with those of other centres in the area,
for example Riverton and Arborg,
can look back with deep satisfaction
on their efforts: sale of war bonds, Red
Cross work, charitable undertakings,
messages and packages for men in the
forces—every aspect of the war effort
received their enthusiastic support.