Over the last few weeks, the world has been especially ravaged by earthquakes, landslides, floods, fires, hurricanes, war and political unrest. It can be difficult to watch the devastation faced by millions without knowing quite how to help. I can pray, provide monetary support, and help students with their fundraising efforts, but really, in many ways, I feel helpless.

Yet it is important to find ways to remain hopeful in today’s world climate and to help our students do the same. I take comfort in art.

Artists can take difficult situations and create beauty, provoke thought, construct meaning, make us laugh, and challenge our norms.

Don McLean wrote American Pie about the 1959 plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. New Yorkers created a Tribute in Light: twin beams of light reaching up to 4 miles in the sky as a commemorative art installation to 9/11. Margriet Ruurs and Nizar Ali Badr collaborated to create a stunning picture book, Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey, about a Syrian family.  And, I’ve especially appreciated (and found comfort in) SNL over the last seven or eight months.

Each of these examples has the power to uplift and provide hope. Providing our students with opportunity to both experience and create art is life-giving. George Bernard Shaw was right: “Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.” 

I sit at my computer, coffee within reach, candles lit, dog curled up in his bed beside me, and I write. Yet today is the first day of school. I have taken a year off to do exactly what I am currently doing, but I have to admit, today feels strange.

I love the first day of school. The back-to-school hugs. The summer stories. The “I can’t believe how much you’ve grown over the summer” comments. Reassuring the kindergarten parents that their children are fine. My walk from class to class hearing, seeing and feeling the excitement this day brings. 

But today I am home. And I am happy to be home. Just know a little piece of me is in school with you…

I visited four schools this week. There was an excitement in each building – the back-to-school buzz! Secretaries and clerks accepting new registrations. Administrators planning for meetings and adjusting class lists. Custodians moving, culling and cleaning. Teachers completing all of the last minute classroom preparation: labelling, organizing and planning.

The promise of a new year is before us. Goals to be accomplished… ideas to be tried… staff to reconnect with… new students to meet, motivate and inspire.

Remember, in Malala Yousafzai’s words, “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”

Happy New Year!

There’s nothing quite like the unexpected death of a family member to jolt you back into reality and remind you that life is precious. Without warning routine breaks and what seemed important before the event, suddenly holds little significance.

These last few days have reminded me to live in the moment not knowing what is around the corner. I am reminded to take care of myself by valuing my mind, body and soul. I am reminded to chase after my dreams while I have the awesome opportunity to do so. I am reminded to hold my loved ones close and to tell them how much they matter. I am reminded to enjoy the little things, for perhaps, they are the big things.

Yesterday has past and tomorrow will come. I will live today.

 

As the days of August pass, some schools are already back in session and others will begin in the upcoming weeks. Henry David Thoreau once said, “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”

Although he was speaking of the seasons of nature, this quote reminded me of the seasons of school. Students and teachers look forward to summer and the time it provides. Many though, also look forward to the beginning of the school year and the opportunities it presents.

As you prepare to return to the classroom, enjoy the time, relish the excitement, reconnect with colleagues, and treasure each moment. Returning to work means you are alive and well!

 

 

The other day I noticed a girl, maybe 8 or 9, suddenly do a cartwheel as she was walking. What was she expressing? Excitement? Energy? Happiness?

How many adults would spontaneously cartwheel in public? A rare few, I would think. But the more I think about body language, the more cognizant I am of its impact on people.

Take driving, for instance. If I let someone in front of me, I appreciate a hand wave. If I don’t get one, I’m annoyed. If I do get one, my faith in humanity is restored. Okay, perhaps I’m putting too much into a wave of the hand … and yet, it’s such a simple gesture.

What about body language in the classroom setting? I look to the body language of my students to help me understand their feelings about school, my classroom, or even about themselves as learners. Think about this difference in response to a question: a reluctant shoulder shrug or a hand shot straight up in the air. And what about body language between students? Observant teachers pick up on many subtleties – and potential problems – all through a silent vocabulary.

As teachers, we also communicate how we feel about our students through how we stand, whether or not we get down to their level, or even if we make or avoid eye contact. What does our body language unconsciously communicate to our students? Is there a student that senses that we don’t like her? What might we be doing to communicate this? Does our body language change from student to student? Are we carrying the stress of home in our demeanour or do we appear relaxed and comfortable? Do we meet students at the door with a smile or a hug, or do we hide behind our desks when they enter our class?

There’s no need for cartwheels in the classroom, of course, but awareness of body language is certainly important when establishing a positive, productive environment.

Teachers are always go, go, go. The days are busy and the bathroom breaks rare. When summer hits, my body takes some time to believe me … “yes, you can sleep past 5:50 a.m.” and “yes, you can go to the bathroom anytime you want” and “no, you don’t have to do that RIGHT now.”

July 25 and I think my body believes me now. I’ve fallen into my summer routine and I’m sleeping in a little past regular time, reading in mid-day, putzing around the house, loving the opportunity to reconnect with people I don’t see often enough during the school year and just moving at a slower pace.

There’s no doubt about the rejuvenating power of time!

I’m proud to be a teacher: to be part of this hardworking, dedicated profession. As proud as I am to be surrounded by other teachers, I am even more proud of our students.

Today, in the middle of July, I stopped by a lemonade stand. That visual you have in your head – a handmade sign, a few students at a table by the side of the road – some of that is accurate. But add to this image: snow cones, a popcorn maker, cotton candy, a BBQ, Plinko, a Facebook page and all proceeds donated to the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

This group of students started a lemonade stand 8 years ago in memory of one of their peers who died from Leukemia in Kindergarten. The lemonade stand began modestly but has grown in size each year since. Last year these kids raised over $18 600. This year’s goal is to surpass $20 000.

John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” 

These incredible leaders give up a week of their summer for this cause. Do your part: stop by the Namao Sobeys (9611-167 Ave) from now until Sunday. They are open each day from 10 – 6. Let’s help them reach their goal! 

Moses, your memory lives on.

 

Summer holidays have officially begun. It was strange this year: packing up my office and yet not moving to a new school. Instead, packing up and bringing everything home! Where to put things (namely books, books and more books) became the most recent dilemma. Hence, the Friday night trek to Ikea.

I’m looking forward to my deferred leave and the time it will afford me to write. Who knows what the days will bring? It’s not just about ideas… it’s about the time to put my ideas to work.

But first, some down time… sunshine here I come!

 

This week marks my last at St. Charles School. I started there in August of 2011. When I began, I was coming into a difficult situation. The June previous, the assistant principal died unexpectedly.

I knew Helen. I knew her as a literacy guru: the former language arts consultant in our district. When I entered my office for the first time – Helen’s office – I found many of her books left by her family. Books that had been flagged, written in and ear-marked. Books she had used to ground her practice, guide her staff and spark discussion.

The last few days as I started to pack up my belongings, I flipped through Helen’s books once again. I have referenced them many times over the years. I discovered Helen’s thoughts as I read the notes she left behind. Following in her footsteps, I was both honoured and intimidated. How could I possibly live up to her legacy?

Robert Louis Stevenson once said, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” Helen, I hope I planted a few seeds and did you proud.