Seeing children grow and flourish in the school system has been a passion of a 琉璃神社 teacher for the past 23 years.

It鈥檚 fitting then that a beautiful outdoor learning space has been built in honour of her.

For over three years Isabel Alves-Vicente has been fighting ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a fatal motor neuron disease. However, prior to this her tireless work as a Kindergarten teacher at Pearson Road Elementary School made her beloved by many.

Affectionately known as 鈥楳iss V鈥� by most, the new outdoor space was appropriately named Ms. V鈥檚 Outdoor Exploration Centre.

Although she couldn鈥檛 attend the Nov. 6 opening of the space in person, Alves-Vicente appeared by video and was given a tour of the new space.

She could be heard over the phone thanking everyone for their hard work and dedication, and said she couldn鈥檛 wait to see the space when everything is planted in the spring.

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Those who graduated from Pearson Road Elementary School years ago fondly remember her as their Kindergarten teacher. And after growing up and sending their children to the same school, they too remembered Alves-Vicente.

鈥淪he was beyond loved by the kids. So as they grew through the school, nobody ever forgot her,鈥� said long-time teacher and co-worker, Debbie Dachwitz.

鈥淪he always called the kids her family; they were her school family, and they were a family in the classroom.鈥�

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Over the years, word of her passion has spread far beyond the students and staff. When the surrounding community first found out about her ALS diagnosis several years ago, they rallied behind her, raising over $35,000 to help cover medical costs.

Due to her disease, Alves-Vicente was forced to leave the school system before she was ready, prior to retirement.

鈥淢s. V, in my heart, is Pearson (elementary),鈥� said teacher Allison Macafee, who has been friends with Alves-Vicente since she started teaching alongside her 18 years ago.

鈥�(She is the) most loving, passionate, amazing woman you鈥檒l ever meet.鈥�

During the opening, the new space was hailed as a huge win for the school community. It now sits where a run-down playground used to.

Greenhouses, wood planter boxes and an Indigenous garden will be added to the space over time.

Both teachers and students, about 230 K-5 learners at the school, are excited to have an area for outdoor education. It鈥檚 well known Alves-Vicente has a green thumb, and believed an outdoor space is something kids would love and enjoy.

鈥淭his is an opportunity for learners at Pearson Road for years to come,鈥� said principal Nina Ferguson at the opening.

鈥淥ur students are going to have their hands in dirt this year, they鈥檙e going to be planting, they鈥檙e going to be playing, they鈥檙e going to be learning in this space.鈥�

For long time fellow teachers and coworkers of Alves-Vicente, this means a lot.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 the perfect thing to dedicate to her, and watch grow, and be beautiful鈥� we made it a beautiful thing, she鈥檚 a beautiful person,鈥� said Macafee.

鈥淚t鈥檒l be just so nice to come out here and be in the garden, and think of her,鈥� added Dachwitz.

The outdoor centre was budgeted to cost $55,295.36 for construction and site preparation. That cost has been covered by Pearson school funds, parent advisory council support, a grant pending from the Kiwanis Club and volunteer support of labour, expertise and gifts-in-kind.

The project was supported by numerous local companies including 琉璃神社 Ready Mix, Home Hardware, Everlast Greenhouses, BC Fasteners, Pro Source Irrigation, Quality Chain Link Fencing, Nature Works Landscaping, as well as numerous carpenters, and School District 23.

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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com

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