As I put up the Christmas tree, decorated the house and wrapped a few gifts, I couldn’t help but be thankful for the life I live.

On the news today, they showed pictures of Syria before and after. Before: the gorgeous architecture, rich history and hospitable people. After: violence and bloodshed, destruction and death.

Canada’s decision to accept Syrian refugees is not without controversy. Yet I remember the images of thousands of refugees leaving their homes and their country, seeking safety. I remember the images of homes destroyed, streets in rubble. I remember the image of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, his lifeless body washed ashore.

I simply cannot imagine the experiences or emotions the Syrians are facing. The Syrian people are not the perpetrators of war, they are the victims of circumstance. I will do my part to welcome them, however small. As I look at my Christmas tree and the presents beneath, I know it’s the least I can do.

Visit Welcoming Syrian Refugees if you want to join my efforts.

When I was grocery shopping this morning, a little girl – three years old maybe – said to me, “That’s not your cart lady.” It was my cart actually. But that’s okay. She was three.

Working with kids is never dull! Each and every day, they say or do something that adds a spark. From the grade six student who says to me, “thank you for coming” after I finished disciplining him… to the grade one student who insists on ‘tricking’ me every day by hiding something or himself… to the grade three student who hugs me every time she sees me even when the interactions are within moments of each other!

During the most frustrating or difficult day, students provide many reasons to smile!

This week when I brought a grade one student into my office to assess her reading she said, “Do you read all day?” I wish I could! My favourite parts of my days are those spent reading and writing to and with students. I love taking non-readers, kids who don’t yet know their letter names and sounds, and convincing them that they are readers. They begin to love books and this magical thing called ‘reading’. And then, in a few months time, when those same students finally see meaning in the letters and words on the page, the look in their eyes is priceless.

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to share my language arts program with my staff. I also spoke to an individual at the district level about how I used the LLI program. I can’t seem to hide my love of words! People often comment on the number of books on my shelves. I get excited when a teacher says, “Do you have any books to help teach…?”

Of course!

I have a hard time going into a book store without making a purchase. I see a picture book and I’m immediately flooded with thoughts of how I could use the book with students. Did you know that it is picture book month? Take some time this week to read a picture book to someone in your life. You won’t regret it!

“How are you?” I’ve noticed this greeting a lot lately from store clerks or casual acquaintances. We say this to be polite but I doubt that most of us really want an honest answer from a stranger. It wouldn’t be appropriate to get into our health problems, family dynamics or financial stresses, for instance.

But truly, most days, I really am ‘good’. I have the right to vote and write a blog. I don’t have to worry about suicide bombers or tsunamis. I am surrounded by family and friends. If I need to visit my doctor, I make an appointment. I have a warm bed to sleep in and plenty of food to eat. Each day when I greet the buses at work, I get countless hugs.

Really, I am good, no matter who asks.

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about discrimination. We watched the movie Selma and so the idea of racism was foremost on my mind. I also attended a meeting to provide feedback on a policy protecting the LGBTQ community.

I have never understood discrimination. Few things make me as angry as to see someone persecuted for who they are. I simply don’t get it. What makes someone’s skin colour, gender identity or sexual orientation better or worse than my own? We are who we are. We cannot choose our race anymore than we can choose our parents or the location of our birth.

It takes courage to stand up for those who are persecuted. I marvel at the bravery of Martin Luther King Jr and all those who persevered (non-violently) for change during the civil rights movement.

I am also comforted by the notion that the younger generation seems less phased by differences. Our classrooms are a wonderful mosaic of culture, race, sexual orientation and gender identities. We can learn a little from our students… they are certainly more accepting than many adults.

Let’s take heed of Piglet’s words, “The things that make me different are the things that make me.”

The leaders I admire most are those who vision with an attitude of hope and optimism. Whatever our role in a school, we provide leadership to others in some form or another. How do we instill hope in those we lead?

Build genuine relationships. Get in there and do the nitty gritty. Ask, don’t assume. Let those you lead use their skills and talent. Provide vision. Accept others wherever they are on their journey… then raise the bar. Be realistic. Use both your head and your heart to make decisions. Find good in people: all people. 

Donald McGannon once said, “Leadership is an action, not a position.” Let your actions earn your leadership every day.

This week I had a conversation with a few classes about a student with special needs. Our students inspired me. The kindness, integrity and acceptance they demonstrated revealed the leadership and love we have within our school. Inclusion can be challenging without proper supports. However, by including all students in our classrooms despite their needs, lessons in acceptance and respect become the daily curriculum.

The curricular outcomes are important but more important is the teaching that occurs in those daily, ordinary (yet sometimes unpredictable moments) within a school. The biggest lesson of all: fair isn’t always equal and equal isn’t always fair.

 

Over the last few weeks, our nation has come together to watch baseball (something rare in the past few decades). Our city has rallied around a young 18 year-old hockey player with cautious optimism. And tomorrow we’ll see a country come together to cast their votes in an election. Individuals as part of a collective.

Belonging is a human need. We all long to be a part of some group or another. Whether it be a family, a team, a fan-base or a group of friends, it is something we, as humans, crave.

There is a sense of camaraderie that comes from belonging. There is exhilaration in shared joy and comfort in shared sorrow. There is support during dark or difficult days. There are life lessons.

When we belong… when we find our place… when we feel a part of larger collective… life seems a little less daunting and a lot more enjoyable. Go Jays!

Last week I found pleasure in the words of our students. As a little boy got off the bus – hair slicked back with obviously self-applied gel – he breathed into my face and said, “Smell my breath.” Although I was hesitant, I really had no choice! After a short pause, he said, “Minty, eh?” He was proud of his mouthwash breath!

On Friday I came back to my desk and discovered a post-it note: “Cup cake. For you.” I appreciated the punctuation and the arrow pointing to the sprinkle-covered mini cupcake. The note gave me more pleasure than the cupcake!

The same student who left the cupcake saw me later in the day for a reading assessment. As I read the prescribed introduction to the book, I used the phrase “fishing expedition.” He rapidly tapped the tips of his fingers together in excitement and said, “Oooh, big words!”

Now there’s a kid after my own heart…

There are people in our world that seem perpetually negative and petty: those who find pleasure in gossiping or putting others down. As I said recently to an adult (and as I have said to many kids over the years), when someone is petty or mean spirited, the issue is with that person, not the target.

And, as tempting as it is to put that person in his or her place, it’s simply not worth it. On occasion I have tried just that. Instead of feeling satisfied, I was disappointed that I sunk to that level. As hurtful as someone tries to be, we must stand tall and kill ’em with kindness.

I look to the examples of Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Jesus and most recently Malala Yousafzai: individuals who were persecuted, tormented or even killed for what they believed in. What I admire most about these individuals is their conviction and integrity even in the face of cruelty.

As a wise administrator once taught me… “Stand up for what you believe in, even if you’re standing alone.”