I work with a little girl each day who would definitely be considered a girly-girl. Before we begin reading she often asks, “Is there a girl in this book?” Her question comes if the book is about bugs or plants, sports or space, pretty much any non-fiction book come to think of it. She frequently asks if we are going to read books about princesses.

Some say that gender differences are created by the society we live in: pre-defined gender roles, gender specific advertising, the tradition of blue for boys and pink for girls, cars and trucks versus dolls and dollhouses. Others believe our preferences are inherent in who we are.

There are certainly no absolutes. I grew up with brothers and older male cousins. My go-to activities were baseball and street hockey. At times, I still enjoyed playing with Barbies and stuffed animals but I don’t think I would have ever been considered a girly-girl.

Ultimately, it shouldn’t matter what our children decide to play with or what they like to read or wear. They should be accepted for who they are. And though it wouldn’t be my preference, I’ll even pull out a princess book or two…

Last week I spoke to a colleague about the teacher that influenced my life the most. He came up casually in conversation and yet his impact was significant. He was the one who discovered the writer in me: he gave me the gift of language as a way to cope with the realities of teenage life.

All kids need a significant adult in their lives, especially kids at risk: kids who have experienced trauma, kids who have lost a parent at a young age, kids who are vulnerable because of differences. A caring adult is a powerful influence and inspiration.

I sometimes get comments or emails from parents raving about a teacher, explaining how their child’s life has turned around. Those kinds of teachers are the ones we look to hire. A teacher with both passion and compassion: someone who knows that teaching is more than curriculum.

Mr. Jason, you were that teacher for me. Thank you. I write because of you.

At our staff PD day this past week we had time for extended reflection at several points throughout the day. We all had quiet, written reflection time, time watching an audiovisual presentation and also a choice of either Yoga, Clay or guided prayer.

I spent more time on this day quiet and reflective than I have for a long time. Typically, when I do decide to sit still, I am multi-tasking. On this day, I was surprised at where my thoughts led me when I took the time to simply think and reflect with no distractions. I came away feeling healthier, stronger even. My mind drifted from thoughts of my family to thoughts of our students. I contemplated this new year and what I hope to accomplish. I took the time to plan and dream and give thanks.

During my work with the clay, we sat in silence molding and shaping the clay in our hands, open to the creative process. These moments were transformative and theraputic, peaceful and calming.

I wonder how many of our students ever have this time for reflection: an extended period of mindfulness without interference from people, devices or noise? Few I would think. As teachers, how could we foster this time for reflection in our classrooms? How could we empower our students to be more mindful in their lives?

“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” Mother Teresa

Tomorrow in a north Edmonton school, there will be an empty desk in grade three. The tragic events that unfolded in the last days of 2014 took Elvis’ life. As I watched the news, I felt the tears well for a little boy I didn’t know.

Actually, there was much heartbreak over the holidays. Some of our district staff and students are returning to school after losing a loved one. And whether under tragic circumstances or expected after an illness, there is always pain.

I am fortunate: I return to school tomorrow excited to see my colleagues and anticipating the hugs from our students. My world is in tact. Yet we unite in prayer, supporting and comforting those in need. We pray for those whose lives have been forever altered. We pray for strength for those touched by tragedy.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:6 

Last week, at the age of fifty, one of our colleagues joined those in heaven. Coleen was the kind of person that lived fully, laughed freely and loved passionately.

In her last Facebook post, she shared that she had no regrets: she lived the life she wanted to live. As we guide our children through life and our students through their schooling, isn’t that the message we want to share? Follow your passion… Live life… Make the moments count.

So, as we tuck the little ones into bed or decorate the Christmas tree, as we sit down to dinner with family or as students come to school excited about their donations to our clothing drive, these are the moments to be treasured. Each day is truly a blessing.

Coleen, thank you for the gift of your friendship. Thank you for living your life as an example to us all. You will live on in the many lives you touched.

As I write this, the snow outside my window falls gently as if in a whisper. This is in stark contrast to the images I’ve seen of Buffalo during this past week. Snow, yes. A whisper, not quite. 7 feet actually – in three days. Parents stranded. Kids home alone. Roads closed. Cars buried. Roofs collapsing. Those in the area held in the grips of nature: wondering what’s to come. More snow… rain… melting… flooding? 

All else forced to stop. Travel. Work. School. Football. Hockey. Everything, really. It all came down to basic survival. Stay home. Stay safe.

And though we here in Alberta claim to know blizzards, the extreme nature of this storm is something we really cannot relate to. It is a storm unlike any we have experienced.

The situation seems a perfect writing prompt to use with students. By sharing pictures and stimulating a discussion, creative narratives would most certainly follow. Try it… I dare you!

Once again this week I was reminded of the power of words. Words used in relief, frustration and joy. Words used to hurt and discredit. Words used in forgiveness. Words used to empower.

I was also witness to a little one who is beginning to understand the relationship between the letters on a page and the words we read. Her excitement was evident: the gleam in her eyes spoke volumes. She has entered the world of the literate.

Words affect our every day: our relationships, our ability to function in society, even our moods. Words really do change worlds.

Today is a day of remembrance. We remember, honour and pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives for our country. We remember all who have served our country in the name of freedom and justice. We also remember the many family members, who have not served themselves, but who have been impacted by the atrocities of war.

On this day, I also remember my father. Thirteen years ago this evening, we gathered for his prayer service. The Knights of Columbus paid tribute to him with an honour guard and given the day, we all wore poppies. It was a fitting sendoff to a man who was known as a peacekeeper – not in any official context but simply in the way he lived his life. He had the ability to bring people together, to respect the uniqueness of each individual and to approach all circumstances with compassion.

My brothers and I delivered the eulogy for our dad. Our final words were, “Rest well ye gentle and faithful servant. Your life’s work is done.”

We remember. Today and every day.

From kindergarten to grade six, excitement pervaded our school on Friday. I saw everything from pirates to cheerleaders, superheroes to unicorns. But it seemed in every class, there were two or three Elsa’s! The Snow Queen from Frozen found her way into most classrooms – often as twins or triplets.

On this day, children have the opportunity to hide behind a mask, to take on a different persona, to ‘beg’ for candy: things that wouldn’t be acceptable any other day of the year. I spoke to one mom who said they love to ‘scare’ in their household. They go all out with costumes, decorations and pranks.

Some of my own treasured childhood memories involve Halloween traditions: using everything from boxes, paint and vacuum cleaner hoses to create costumes, watching “It’s the great pumpkin Charlie Brown”, carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating and a traditional late night Halloween birthday party for a great aunt. Regardless of how much you and your family involve yourselves in Halloween, there is no doubt that this is a favourite day for most kids.

I leave the last words this week to the witches from Macbeth: “Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.”

This week, talk centred around tragedy. Our country, a country where we pride ourselves on peace, somehow felt a little more vulnerable. Our sense of security and safety were compromised.

Perhaps we are naive. Perhaps we have been so fortunate to live in this country, that we forget the daily struggles faced by so many in other parts of the world. The incidents that occurred in Montreal and Ottawa occur daily in many countries. It is big news here precisely because of our belief that we are immune to this kind of violence.

Despite a little shake up, I remain thankful to live in a country where there is not a gun in every home, militia parading the streets or children recruited as soldiers. The shake up serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are to be able to trust our police, to vote, to walk the dog, to go to school and work each day without the threat of violence. Just ask one of many immigrants who have lived the realities of violence, war and mistrust.

And though we practice lock-downs in our schools, I say to our students, “The chance of something happening is very small, but it’s better to be prepared.” The best part is, I don’t say it simply to reassure the students, I say it because I believe it.

“God keep our land, glorious and free!”