About the Author

Sandy Prentice

Introduction

Sandy Prentice is now a grandmother of 3 amazing grandchildren who are the offspring of Kiera and Colin. She is still married to the father of her adult children and continues to live in the same home on the same property where her children were raised and experienced the magical Santa Smoke Letter event.

Sandy has retired from the school district where she previously worked as the District Principal of International Education and prior to that she was district vice principal of International Education, an ESL teacher, and a classroom teacher. Story was where Sandy felt she could connect with students and as a result, teaching Language Arts was her favourite of all subjects to teach. It was from story that students were able to understand their own lives better and find better solutions to problems that they were experiencing in their homes and with friends. Teaching the writing process was part of a big unit that Sandy created for her grade 6 students and to this very day, students and their parents continue to share with Sandy how much they enjoyed their time in her class and some still have samples of their writing from grade 6 to this day.

Not one to slow down, Sandy started her own education Consulting business called, “This Staff Matters”. She is currently an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Accessibility Consultant and conducts Intercultural Development Inventory education as a qualified IDI Administrator. She does EDIJA coursework at the college level, and has conducted numerous workshops for different types of government, private business, and not for profit entities. She is currently employed by Purcell Collegiate School based at the Aqa’m Residential School in Cranbrook (formerly known as St Eugene’s Mission School) as the Director of Admissions and Intercultural Education. This is the first ever BC Private International School to be hosted right inside an original residential school. Sandy is so very honored and excited to be part of this journey of rightful Truth and Reconciliation. When Sandy isn’t working, she spends her time curling, bike riding, line dancing, playing the ukulele and crocheting in the winter evening. Life is good in the former little old modest, white cabin.

Author Q&A

1. What was the inspiration for Santa Smoke Letters?

The story is a true story that actually happened to our family. At first I just wanted to record the events in a way that my own two children would be able to cherish the memory and share it with their own children. As the story of the Santa Smoke Letter tradition was shared by us with extended family and friends, it was suggested to me by family members that I should write a book. It took some time for this idea to materialize with me, but eventually it did. This was the story of a very long journey to write and illustrate my book.

2. What do you hope readers learn from Santa Smoke Letters?

I hope that readers learn that in the quest to be a good parent and do everything right, there will be times when mistakes are unintentionally made. These mistakes can be opportunities from which to grow and make things better so long as we do not give in to anger, frustration, and self centredness. Pure unconditional love is what parenting is all about. I also hope that readers understand the importance of teaching children that there is joy in wanting those less fortunate than themselves to have a Happy Christmas. Cherish your own Christmas traditions but don’t be opposed to adding new things to your family celebrations when the opportunity presents itself.