Veteran teacher hits final high note of 43-year career

In 1974, a cool, young teacher took the helm of Argyll School’s Grade 6 class with a piano and a smile.
Brenda Ripley knew all the latest music, and the preteens soon ditched traditional children’s songs to learn Simon and Garfunkel melodies and The Beatles’ Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.
“I wish more teachers could be like her,” said former student Ava Duering. “She had rock star status.”
On Thursday, that teacher — now Brenda Bracke — will