DEBBIE SMALLWOOD catching up with

AUTHOR: CARLIE ERIN PAXTON '97

Debbie Smallwood spent 22 years at Little Flower Academy teaching Physical Education and coaching every sport you can imagine. She coached everything, but basketball was her favourite sport to coach. A very accomplished athlete herself, Debbie received a full-ride scholarship to Oklahoma State University for both Javelin and Softball. After graduating from university, she went on to play five seasons representing Team Canada playing outfield on the Women’s National Softball Team. She was tough as nails, a fierce competitor, and her athletic prowess lent well to her long successful career as a PE teacher and coach at LFA.

What did you love most about being a PE teacher?

I remember year after year loving teaching the Grade 8’s. They were so green, so fresh, and hung on every word you would say. It was a pleasure watching them develop and grow into young women throughout the five years at the school.

What was the biggest challenge ?

When I first came to LFA fitness and health weren’t a priority for students. It was a challenge trying to change the culture from academics to also being fit and having a healthy body. I wanted students to embrace the idea of the whole person.

What did you love about working at LFA?

Year after year, it was the same staff. We had so much fun together. It felt like one big happy family.

What were some of your fondest memories about working at the school?

Hands down working with the Sisters of St. Ann. I remember loving going over to Victoria for our annual staff retreat. We got to learn so much about the Sisters. They were such wonderful women and I loved listening to their stories about working in various schools and the impact they had on their communities.

Which Sisters stood out to you?

Sister Josephine was a very intriguing lady. She was very intelligent and a great storyteller. I remember her having a skipping rope. She would skip every time she went into the basement door of the convent. Up until the last year that she was at the school I remember her skipping to stay fit.

Sister Eileen also stood out to me. She was a fabulous leader. She was well educated and highly intelligent. She treated everyone with the utmost respect. You really couldn’t find a kinder person.

What was one of your fondest memories as a coach?

Some of my fondest memories were coaching at the BC Catholic Basketball Championships as we had many successful seasons going to that tournament. Coaching against other CISVA coaches was always fun. We all knew each other well. It made for a fun yet highly competitive environment.

Did any one athlete stand out to you?

So many great athletes came out of the school. One of the groups that stood out to me was Jeannette Guichon's year (Class of 1992). They were in Grade 8 when I first started. Jeannette was the full package, a great leader, calm, and an extremely talented athlete. I got to see her group (which included many great athletes such as Sue Bryde '92, alumna and current PE teacher) from Grade 8 full circle to Senior basketball and making it to the BC Championship Tournament. They were a special group of kids and very memorable because they were my first group of Grade 8's.

What are you spending your time doing now that you are retired?

Always a workout in the morning. Most days I am either on the golf course or playing pickleball. Once an athlete, always an athlete.