You can’t walk into a store – any store – without being reminded that Back to School is around the corner. The huge banners with those three infamous words hanging as reminders amid the highlighters and backpacks, binders and glue sticks. There are other signs too. The brisk air during my morning walk, a sure sign that fall is on its way. The internal desire not to look at the date, not to count those precious last days before the alarm clock must be set. The sudden increase in emails from staff and parents. All signs of things to come.

And despite my avoidance of the signs, in whatever form they take, I do enjoy this time of year. I enjoy the planning of a new school year. I enjoy reuniting with colleagues and students. I enjoy the sheer pleasure of beginning once again.

Whether you welcome or avoid the signs, enjoy the sunshine during these last treasured days of summer: read one more escape novel, cross one more thing off that summer to-do list and be sure to enjoy some family time. Before we know it, we will be donning our new school clothes and greeting our students at the door…

 

Does the school year ever feel like a marathon? Exhilarating, rewarding, invigorating and yes, sometimes a little daunting?

When the race begins in September, we have stretched, trained and adequately rested. We are full of energy and ready to take on the year. We pace ourselves, monitor and adjust our speed with the ups and downs of what lies ahead: the steep climb of report cards and the downhill momentum that follows. Sometimes we coast, enjoying the scenery along the way. Sometimes all we can do is yearn for a swig of water at the next rest stop. There are also moments when we question if we will even make it to the finish line intact. And yet, somehow we do.

Rest assured, we are on the final leg of our journey with the finish line in sight. Feelings of accomplishment, anticipated rest and an opportunity to catch one’s breath are within reach.

As we move into the summer months, think about the impact you have had on your students throughout this journey. What are you proud of? Whose life did you make a difference in this year? Who is better off for having known you?

After you’ve given those questions some thought, consider this: What are you most looking forward to this summer?

My own thoughts turn to a long morning stroll, curling up with a good book, a mid-afternoon nap… time with family without the pressures of school weighing on the mind… time to recover, refresh and rejuvenate… time to do all those things neglected during the marathon itself… time to simply sit in the warmth of the sun.

Frank Lebow describes a marathon in this way: “The marathon is a charismatic event. It has everything. It has drama. It has competition. It has camaraderie. It has heroism.” Come now, does that not describe a school year?

As educators, we are fortunate to have a supporting cast. The work of our educational assistants is often behind the scenes and sometimes goes unnoticed to the unobservant eye. And yet, for any of us that have had the privilege of an educational assistant working within our classrooms – supporting the students with the greatest needs – we know how vital their work is to the effectiveness of each day.

Many of these individuals have chosen to work with special needs children as their career. It is not glamorous, high profile or well-paid and yet it is so important to the work we do as teachers.

Most of our support staff are leaving our school this year. Our students, their families and our staff will be devastated by the changes. Since these individuals work with our students in such close proximity, they become a critical support to these students: academically, socially and emotionally. On Friday, I made contact with many of the parents whose children are affected by the changes. Hearing the sighs and sometimes the tears on the other end of the phone is a testament to the impact our educational assistants have had on our students.

Our supporting cast is essential to the success of each school year. I value their dedication, stamina and passion for the work they do… for the love of children.

 

As part of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey instructs us to put first things first: to focus on the big rocks. I have always tried to do this even before I knew the language of the 7 Habits.

Lately though, I’ve been thrown a few reminders about what is important in life. What I have come to realize is that sometimes we have to choose whether or not something qualifies as a big rock. What I might have considered a big rock a few months ago suddenly seems pebble-like. I have also realized that some things don’t belong in the rock collection at all: boulder, pebble or grain of sand.

Life is short and unpredictable. Circumstances can change in a heartbeat. Live your priorities today.

Watch this amusing demonstration of the big rocks!

Several members of our family have spent considerable time in the hospital as of late. And though things have been difficult, through all of this, I have been reminded how lucky we are to be living in Canada. Imagine if every procedure, every medication and every hospital stay was to be paid from our own pockets. Our cumulative savings would not come close to covering the growing cost.

I can only imagine the added strain for individuals living in countries where procedures are not available. Or, perhaps just as difficult, where the procedures are available but where families are responsible for footing the bill. During a time of illness, the added financial burden could only stifle the healing process.

So although we face trials and challenges, we are fortunate that our health care system supports the care of our loved ones and that our focus can remain on what is most important: family and healing!

On any given day, students enter my office inspired: bubbling over with excitement, even. They notice a need in our world and by proposing a popcorn sale or a bake sale, by making bracelets or creating art, they take the beginning steps on their journey to make a difference.

Evidently we have many projects on the go in our school. We do not streamline our efforts to one cause driven by adults but rather let students take the lead through projects of their choosing. So though we might not raise $10,000 for one cause, our students raise smaller amounts or reach out in other ways for causes important to them.

When I think about people in history who have made a difference in the world – Abraham Lincoln, Terry Fox, Rosa Parks – they were empowered to vie for change or help others.  They saw how their voice or actions, often despite the odds, could make a difference. When I think about the students in our school, I see a similar sense of empowerment as they use their voices, their energy and their talents to help others. Just imagine the impact these students may have in the upcoming years. They are not hardened by pessimism; they are open to possibilities.

I look forward to the next excited proposal that walks through my door… perhaps as soon as tomorrow. I look forward to being inspired by our students once again.

 

Lately when someone asks how I am, my default response tends to be “busy.” It’s not what I say but it is certainly how I’ve been feeling and what I’ve been thinking. At this point in the year, there are so many things to wrap up for year end and of course much preparation for next year. In addition, student attention wanes as the glances out the window become more frequent and the outside temperatures more enticing.

I know how hard teachers work. I see it every day. This long weekend has been an opportunity to catch one’s breath during the marathon of year end. This job requires energy, enthusiasm and stamina. Thank goodness for the rest stops along the way!

Other than a recent mother’s day card, when is the last time you read a poem? Many people, teachers included, are intimidated by poetry. Let’s face it: if you have such a tendency, poetry within the curriculum can be easily avoided. And yet, poetry can be an engaging and creative part of your classroom.

If you are delving into poetry after a long absence, I do not suggest Homer or Chaucer. Try Silverstein or Prelutsky. Immerse yourself in poems for children and rediscover the playfulness of the language. Reading poetry out loud to children, listening to their candid giggles, can remind you of its pleasure. Once you have rediscovered this playfulness – or perhaps discovered it for the first time – only then consider exploring more serious or more difficult poems. The poems of Robert Frost, William Blake and Emily Dickinson are appropriate and accessible for children once the initial barriers of apprehension are broken down.

Before my students ever write their first poem, I surround them with poetry and let them read, explore and enjoy. This exposure helps them to realize that poetry can be fun and helps to squash any misconceptions they might have. No, poetry doesn’t have to rhyme. Yes, poetry can be about ANYTHING. No, poetry is not just for boys. Hmm… maybe it’s not as confusing as I thought. And yes, I like the sound of that!

Check out my website this week for specific poetry ideas: www.wordschangeworld.ca

 

On several occasions last week, I was asked what I liked about our school. I am thankful I can answer that question without hesitation. Though there are many things I could choose from, perhaps what I love best is the learning environment. You might think that would be a given considering that I work in a school. However, I love that our school is a learning environment for both students and staff. Our Thursday afternoons are not spent with long meeting agendas, covering items that are purely informational which serve only to invoke snoring and frequent glancing at one’s wrist. Our Thursday afternoons are spent in true professional dialogue, reflection and learning.

Whatever the profession or one’s place in life, learning challenges us to be better individuals. Whether reading a book, conversing with others or attending conferences, learning is valuable. If we are open, learning expands our thinking, helps us adapt to change, enriches our relationships, enables us to contribute more fully to society and ultimately helps us find meaning in our lives.

As Henry Ford once said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”

What do I love about our school? I love that I am challenged and supported in my efforts to continue learning.

As I was driving from Calgary on Sunday, several flocks of birds circled above the highway. If it had been one bird, I wouldn’t have noticed. It was the astonishing unison and acrobatics of the flock that caught my attention. Individuals moving as if a single entity. They swooped down, changed direction – once, twice and again – until descending for a landing simultaneously. Synergy.

I witnessed the same synergy at our school today, and the days leading up to today, as we prepared for Leadership Day. I was privy to the sharing of ideas, the behind the scenes work, the attention to detail and the willingness of each individual to contribute in whatever way possible. We said ‘this’ needs to be done and the hands went up: “consider it done.” Individual strengths surfaced as the day came together.

Typically we notice the collective effect of the stars in the sky. Yet without the contribution of the individuals, the effect would not be spectacular.

I credit each member of our staff for making this day spectacular. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller