Remembering Aija Zommers, History Teacher and Head Debate Coach

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Aija Zommers, former Branksome Hall History teacher and Head Debate Coach.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of former Branksome faculty member Aija Zommers on July 28, 2026. During her 35 years at Branksome, Aija taught History, served as Head Debate Coach and was a passionate advocate for girls having strong, confident voices.   

Aija’s legacy within Branksome’s Debate and Public Speaking program is her devotion to her students and her commitment to their success. She spent countless hours coaching them to achieve excellence and challenged them to think critically and to communicate with clarity. Under her guidance, Branksome teams rose to top ranks in Canada and globally, and she was awarded the Willis S. McLeese Award in 1999. Aija’s daughter Zinta attended Branksome Hall until Grade 8.

Aija receives flowers from two Prefects.

Born on April 29, 1942, in Riga, Latvia, Aija was forced to flee her homeland at age two with her mother, two sisters and great aunt. She was reunited with her father at Camp Ohmstede, a British-run displaced persons camp in Germany. There, Aija read books about the British monarchy, sparking a lifelong interest in the Royal Family despite her deeply egalitarian beliefs. 

Aija and the Branksome Hall debate tam enjoy a celebratory dinner after a competition.

In 1950, the family settled in Owosso, Michigan. Even as a child, Aija relished spirited debate. Having lost her home and much of her childhood to war, she developed a devotion to something that could never be taken away: ideas. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and starting a career as a teacher in Milwaukee, Aija married her soulmate, Uldis Zommers, in 1972 and moved to Canada.

Aija gives advice to two debaters during a tournament.

Aija’s life was shaped by extraordinary resilience, a lifelong passion for learning and a belief that ideas matter. As a History teacher and Debate coach, she challenged assumptions, inspired students to find their voices, and never shied away from a spirited argument. Her impact endures in every Branksome Hall student who steps up to a podium with confidence and conviction.

A memorial will be held in Aija’s honour at St. Andrew's Latvian Lutheran Church in Toronto on October 17 at 1:00 p.m. Those who wish to pay their respects are welcome to attend.