#TBT | From the WAA Archives
As we continue to celebrate World Teachers’ Day, we’re looking back at a very special educator from the WAA Archives: Sister Antoine-Marie Baurier, RSHM.
In December 2000, Sister Antoine-Marie was honored as an Educator of the Year by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
A native of France, Sister Antoine-Marie came to Marymount in 1969 and devoted decades to teaching and accompanying students. She remained at Marymount until her retirement, leaving a lasting impression on generations of students. Today, Sister Antoine-Marie lives in Orange, California.
The Peninsula Business Journal captured not only her dedication to education, but also a little of the personality her students knew so well describing her affectionately as a “no-nonsense nun” whose students knew how deeply she cared about them, even if they admitted to being “a little afraid of her.”
After more than 40 years working with students, Sister Antoine-Marie reflected on her life as an educator:
“I consider myself extremely lucky because I’ve had a very happy life. I hope I have made a contribution and helped some people see the light by my words or example.”
More than 25 years later, her words remain a beautiful reminder of the lasting influence of a teacher not only through what is taught in the classroom, but through the example of a life dedicated to others.
Today, we celebrate Sister Antoine-Marie and all the RSHM Sisters, colleagues and educators whose words, example and care continue to make a difference in the lives of their students.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
For easier reading, we have transcribed the text about Sister Antoine-Marie from the original December 2000 Peninsula Business Journal article below. The wording is presented as it appeared in the original publication.
“Educators of the Year are Honored”
A native of France, Sister Antoine-Marie Baurier first came to Marymount College in 1969, when Marymount was a high school. “My Major Superior told me that they were sending me to the United States for one year, and I’ve been here ever since,” she recalls. “There were about 14 or 15 nuns here when I started, and now I’m the last of the Mohicans,” she reminisces.
Sister Antoine born on the border between France and Spain and became fluent in French, Spanish and Catalan and studied at a French university. She earned a Ph.D. in French literature.
Working with students for over 40 years, she has learned to be straightforward with them, and she loves them all. The students know that she cares about them, and they love her right back but will admit to being a little afraid of her, for she is a no-nonsense nun…tall, slim, erect and stern with that certain cultured dignity that comes with being French.
At an age when most people are thinking about retirement, Sister Antoine starts her day with mass at 6:30 a.m. and stays at school most of the day, teaching classes in French and Spanish and working with students in her office. She is also a busy member of Marymount’s Board of Trustees. She says “I consider myself extremely lucky because I’ve had a very happy life. I hope I have made a contribution and helped some people see the light by my words or example.”
— Peninsula Business Journal, December 2000
