Seeing children grow and flourish in the school system has been a passion of a Kelowna teacher for the past 23 years.

It含羞草研究社檚 fitting then that a beautiful outdoor learning space has been built in honour of her.

For over three years Isabel Alves-Vicente has been fighting ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a fatal motor neuron disease. However, prior to this her tireless work as a Kindergarten teacher at Pearson Road Elementary School made her beloved by many.

Affectionately known as 含羞草研究社楳iss V含羞草研究社� by most, the new outdoor space was appropriately named Ms. V含羞草研究社檚 Outdoor Exploration Centre.

Although she couldn含羞草研究社檛 attend the Nov. 6 opening of the space in person, Alves-Vicente appeared by video and was given a tour of the new space.

She could be heard over the phone thanking everyone for their hard work and dedication, and said she couldn含羞草研究社檛 wait to see the space when everything is planted in the spring.

READ MORE: Kelowna school to build outdoor exploration centre

Those who graduated from Pearson Road Elementary School years ago fondly remember her as their Kindergarten teacher. And after growing up and sending their children to the same school, they too remembered Alves-Vicente.

含羞草研究社淪he was beyond loved by the kids. So as they grew through the school, nobody ever forgot her,含羞草研究社� said long-time teacher and co-worker, Debbie Dachwitz.

含羞草研究社淪he always called the kids her family; they were her school family, and they were a family in the classroom.含羞草研究社�

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Over the years, word of her passion has spread far beyond the students and staff. When the surrounding community first found out about her ALS diagnosis several years ago, they rallied behind her, raising over $35,000 to help cover medical costs.

Due to her disease, Alves-Vicente was forced to leave the school system before she was ready, prior to retirement.

含羞草研究社淢s. V, in my heart, is Pearson (elementary),含羞草研究社� said teacher Allison Macafee, who has been friends with Alves-Vicente since she started teaching alongside her 18 years ago.

含羞草研究社�(She is the) most loving, passionate, amazing woman you含羞草研究社檒l ever meet.含羞草研究社�

During the opening, the new space was hailed as a huge win for the school community. It now sits where a run-down playground used to.

Greenhouses, wood planter boxes and an Indigenous garden will be added to the space over time.

Both teachers and students, about 230 K-5 learners at the school, are excited to have an area for outdoor education. It含羞草研究社檚 well known Alves-Vicente has a green thumb, and believed an outdoor space is something kids would love and enjoy.

含羞草研究社淭his is an opportunity for learners at Pearson Road for years to come,含羞草研究社� said principal Nina Ferguson at the opening.

含羞草研究社淥ur students are going to have their hands in dirt this year, they含羞草研究社檙e going to be planting, they含羞草研究社檙e going to be playing, they含羞草研究社檙e going to be learning in this space.含羞草研究社�

For long time fellow teachers and coworkers of Alves-Vicente, this means a lot.

含羞草研究社淚 think it含羞草研究社檚 the perfect thing to dedicate to her, and watch grow, and be beautiful含羞草研究社� we made it a beautiful thing, she含羞草研究社檚 a beautiful person,含羞草研究社� said Macafee.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檒l be just so nice to come out here and be in the garden, and think of her,含羞草研究社� added Dachwitz.

The outdoor centre was budgeted to cost $55,295.36 for construction and site preparation. That cost has been covered by Pearson school funds, parent advisory council support, a grant pending from the Kiwanis Club and volunteer support of labour, expertise and gifts-in-kind.

The project was supported by numerous local companies including Kelowna Ready Mix, Home Hardware, Everlast Greenhouses, BC Fasteners, Pro Source Irrigation, Quality Chain Link Fencing, Nature Works Landscaping, as well as numerous carpenters, and School District 23.

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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com

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