In memory of Maureen Vinge
It is with great sadness and regret that the IB has learnt of the passing of Maureen Vinge. Maureen was well known to many areas of the IB community in her capacity as a workshop leader. However, Maureen was also a leader in the development and expansion of the Primary Years Programme all around the world throughout her 40 year career.
Maureen sadly died on 15 August, 2008 at the age of 61, ending her battle with cancer. She will be missed by the many people she met as a teacher, principal, consultant and teacher trainer in over a dozen countries and five continents.
Here Peter Kenny, former IB regional PYP manager for the Asia Pacific region shares his thoughts and memories of Maureen and pays tribute to her life:
Maureen Vinge 'A Teaching Leader'
"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song."
Maya Angelou
To know Maureen was to feel immediately affirmed, comforted and secure. Maureen has this wonderful ability to put others at ease. As soon as you walked into one of Maureen's many IB workshops and professional developing sessions, you quickly realized that pretentiousness and nerves were not required. All were welcomed. She treated all with equity and the utmost respect. She listened. Really listened to you. She took the time needed with each child to know them, to value them and to love them. Maureen is an example of how we can all live the 'profiles' and not simply laminate them.
If a tree were to be planted by each learning community she impacted on, a global forest stretching from China to the US would emerge.
Maureen's passion for 'real' engaging, enlightening, empowering and relevant education has been passed on to many of us. Her message was one of reflection, refinement and reality. She always addressed the affective before the intellectual and could concisely and articulately communicate complex theories and methodologies into a language that transcended culture, race, language and age.
Many have had the honor of working with Maureen, thousands of educators have been empowered through her work and hundreds of thousands of children worldwide have and will continue to reap the benefits of Maureen's legacy.
In Maureen Vinge, the International Baccalaureate (IB) had a priceless resource. A true advocate for the organization, a voice of reason, a leader who lived the mission and profiles and a woman with the courage and integrity to speak out. I think Maureen would say her greatest achievement was her family. Whether working in Jeddah, Dresden or Phnom Penh her private conversations would turn to Peder and Don (her son and husband). She spoke of others, never herself. In a message Maureen sent from Jeddah April 30th 2008 she commented that "...I always seem so lucky to get to know interesting people." She would constantly remind us all that relationships (people) were paramount and how we approach each day is our own personal choice.
I, like thousands of friends, educators and children globally, thank Maureen for enriching my life and that of my family. Thank you for demonstrating that the Profiles can be lived and passed on. Thank you for making this world a better place and for ensuring that your wonderful love, laughter and life continues to result in progressive action. Peter Kenny
A memorial service for Maureen was held on Saturday 30 August at Hosanna Lutheran Church, Edmonton.
Her family has set up a website to remember their loved one and also raise funds for the Koh Kandal School, Cambodia, a primary school close to Maureen’s heart. To read more about Maureen’s life and pay tribute to her please visit www.mvinge.com
September 2008