Students, staff grieving sudden death of well-loved teacher

Students from John Taylor Collegiate were on sustainable wilderness field trip in Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Thursday. (Photo courtesy Google Maps)

Students and staff at John Taylor Collegiate are grieving the sudden death of an outgoing and well-loved teacher.

Grade 11 and 12 students from John Taylor Collegiate were on sustainable wilderness field trip in Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Thursday, when a teacher collapsed around 4 p.m.

St James-Assiniboia School Division chief superintendent Brett Lough said there were 21 students and three supervisors on the school trip.

Lough said Darcee Gosselin, 40, collapsed near the end of the field trip. He said one of the supervisors performed CPR and called for EMS assistance. When EMS arrived Gosselin was taken to hospital in Carberry.

“Very sudden, unexpected. That’s what I would call it,” said Lough in a telephone call with CTV News. “Right now people are grieving.”

The cause of death has not been determined, but Lough said the extreme heat may have contributed to her collapse. “Given the day it’s certainly a possibility, but I can’t confirm if it played a role.”

Gosselin had been a teacher with the division since 2005. She taught science and psychology, primarily with 11 and grade 12 students.

“Very outgoing, very involved in the school events, whether the school teams, musical theater, whether in a leadership or support role,” said Lough. “Certainly well-liked and well-loved by her students and colleagues”.

“Our thoughts are with the family. This is a significant loss,” he said.

Educational support services brought in

Lough said the school, principal and administration are monitoring the students closely. Educational support services have been brought in to the school, and if students are experiencing some kind of trauma, they can access help.

“Our big concern depending on how people reacted is to have someone there to deal with that information.”

Celebration of life Thursday

A celebration of life for Gosselin will be held Thursday at Kirkfield Westwood Community Centre from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“People who knew Darcee can come and go and pay their respects.”