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.

 

Last week I watched our grade ones perform a short musical for their parents. There’s really nothing more endearing than a performance by kids of this age. We’ve all seen it … There are those who don’t hesitate to fill in for someone who may have forgotten his line. There are those that mouth the words with no sound attached. There are those who turn their backs to the audience and continue to perform. There are also those who ham it up and delight in the laughter of the audience.

As I was watching, I wished there were thought bubbles above their heads. Wouldn’t it be amusing to know what they are thinking as they perform? Not that I think visible thought bubbles would be appropriate in every situation. In fact, in most circumstances – with our family and coworkers, or heaven forbid, for politicians – it would be both dangerous and disastrous. There’s a reason we don’t voice all of our thoughts. But the honesty and innocence of kids would be entertaining, especially in this situation!

It’s easy to complain about how tired we are and how hot our classrooms have become. It’s easy to complain about the never-ending-to-do list and the amount of work we spend writing report cards.

Yet this past week was a reminder about how fortunate we are to be going about our days as normal. The public school next door to our school had a tough week. On Monday, one of their grade six students died after being in a house fire the day before. The teachers shared the news with their classes. There were grief counsellors in the building all week. Students were encouraged to come to school to maintain a sense of normality. And as you can imagine, those teachers were doing their best to keep it together for their students.

I pray that all of the individuals connected to this tragedy have an opportunity to grieve, but also to celebrate the life of this young girl and to make some kind of meaning from the example of her life.

There are fourteen days left in the school year. As busy as I know I will be, I will not complain. I am going to enjoy these last days of school with our students. I am going to be thankful to have the time with each and every one of them. And I’m not going to take any of it for granted.

On Friday I stood near the front entrance of the school greeting a few straggling students coming in after the bell. As one student came into the building, I noticed something in her arms. As I was thinking, “that looks like a chicken … it looks like a real chicken …” it moved and I realized that it was a real chicken. I went up to the student and asked, “Do your parents know you brought a chicken to school?” She said “yes” with some hesitation. When I asked why she brought a chicken to school, she replied, “I accidentally put it in my backpack.” Hmmph. I hate it when that happens.

As she went down the hall towards her classroom – cradling the chicken in her arms – her mom came rushing into the school. “Did you see what my daughter brought to school? A chicken. She brought a chicken to school.” Attempting to stifle my laughter I replied, “She said you knew about the chicken.” “Ten steps away from the school I knew! She had it zipped up in her backpack! I can’t believe she brought a chicken to school.”

To the teacher’s relief, the chicken didn’t stay at school; it did visit for a few short minutes. Apparently they have three chickens at home. Yes, we do live in the city. And yes, I know it sounds like I’ve made this up, but it’s true. I have witnesses to prove it.

It’s hard to believe we’ve hit the home stretch. Non-teachers often say, “You must be winding down.” Teachers (and all those who live with a teacher) know, we are not winding down: we are gearing up! June will arrive in a few short days and each day will be busier than the next as we cross one-thing-after-another off the to-do list.

Amid the hectic nature of these days, this last month of the school year is a wonderful opportunity to guide students through a process of reflection and celebration of their learning. Students are often surprised to look back through their year’s work to see the progress they have made. It is rewarding to hear them say, “I’m really proud of this project!” or “I remember doing this!”

We have hit the home stretch. And as much as we look forward to the sunny summer days ahead, we should be sure to make each of these last days meaningful for our students. To teach them, guide them and inspire them to be their best selves.

Imagine meeting your students ten or fifteen or even twenty years from now. What do you want them to remember about this year? How do you want them to feel about being in your class? Most important, what will you do to make that happen?

I finally got around to watching the movie Hidden Figures this weekend. It got me thinking about how much has changed in the last 50 to 100 years: in particular when it comes to civil rights, gender equality and technology.

The movie is based on a true story about three African-American mathematicians who played an integral role in NASA before it was ‘acceptable’ to have either blacks or women involved in such a way. These women were truly groundbreakers.

A quote by Helen Keller came to mind while I was watching: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

There will always be areas where the ground needs breaking. And there will always be individuals willing to break that ground. We don’t want our students to place limits on what they can do. We want them to go out and do it!