Her son, Allan, who happens to be a student at Queen's, accompanies her on this business trip. A well-stocked picnic basket occupies the back seat. The inspector will relieve Vernon of his duties for the day, teaching all his classes herself, and allow him to take her son in the automobile on a sight-seeing tour of the locality, picnic lunch included. No need to ask if it was customary for Ontario's supervisory officers to extend such favours to all teachers in the field. But we may well wonder what exactly did this trained observer and mother see in the 22 year-old Ready to warrant bringing her son to meet him.
Every profession needs exemplary practitioners who demonstrate the high ideals of their calling.
Vernon Ready was such a standard-bearer. As a classroom teacher, he inspired young minds with his intellectual vitality and expectation of high achievement. As a mentor, he was an encourager and honourer who knew how to nurture talent and who rejoiced in the greatness of others. As a leader, he brought integrity, a sense of transcendent purpose, and excitement to the educational mission. You wanted to follow his banner.