Education Winners

Pat and Barry Rule

Pat and Barry Rule


Winner – Education


In order to succeed at Guildwood Public School, the kids need to know the rules. Pat and Barry Rule, that is.


This high-energy couple has been volunteering with student clubs since the 1960s.

Literally generations of students have been influenced by Pat and Barry while they served as teachers in Scarborough area schools.

Since their retirement in 1999 they have continued to show up at Guildwood almost every day to help out wherever they can.


The Rules were selected as Urban Heros in recognition of hundreds, if not thousands of students lives they have influenced in one way or another. They no longer collect a salary for their work at the school, but feeling like they make a difference is the only payment they care about.


“It’s just our love of being with children. We find it so very, very rewarding. Just the smile on that face and saying thank you and a hug, it’s just the best thing in the world, really,” said Pat.


“Pat and I just love the children,” said Barry, who is in the habit of completing his wife’s sentences after 45 years of marriage. “We love being around them, educating them and seeing their smiles. Education has been our life.”


Barry wasn’t kidding. He went on to explain that education had been a consistent theme in their relationship. Now in their 60’s, Pat and Barry first met in a Toronto classroom in 1962.


Despite being in college together for years, the two had never crossed paths. On the first day of his final two-week practice teaching assignment, Barry walked into his classroom and his life changed forever.


“It was a Monday morning just after Easter and I walked into a classroom at the Withrow Park Public School and this young lady was sitting at the back of the room all by herself,” said Barry. “I said, ‘Would you like a ride home?’ and that was the beginning of it all.”


The two graduated teachers’ college and were soon married. Both were lucky enough to get teaching jobs in Scarborough by 1963, where they spent their entire careers. Barry served at 12 different schools and retired as a principal.

Pat spent her entire career at Guildwood, where both now spend a great deal of time.
 Since starting at Guildwood, Pat has attended seven weddings of students she first met when they were in Grade 1.


“Many of our neighbours are the children that we had taught,” said Pat. “Now we are coaching some of those second generation children, which is lovely.”


Barry and Pat give credit to all the hard-working staff at Guildwood, but the fact is that the couple have been involved in just about every extracurricular activity in the school.

They are hesitant to pick favourites, but it is clear they both have a passion for their folk dancing club.

The Rules have been teaching folk dancing at the school for over 30 years and take students to participate in a folk dance jamboree at Albert Campbell Square on an annual basis.

Even when the Rules are on their summer vacations in Florida, they still find a way to volunteer at American schools through a friend.
“We took our music with us and honestly, they were just thrilled with it.

They’ve never had anything like it there before,” said Pat.
After 45 years of life, education and volunteerism in the Guildwood community, Pat and Barry would do it all again without a doubt.


“The staff have been so supportive and the parents have been so appreciative. That’s why we continue to go back, because you feel like you are doing some good for people,” said Barry.
“I say it all the time,” said Pat. “The children at Guildwood put sunshine into our lives every day. We just enjoy going so much.”


The staff at Guildwood that nominated Pat and Barry have been able show their thanks and give a little back to this couple who truly are real life Urban Heroes.

– Eric Heino