This weekend I was surrounded by nature: the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, the new-growth green on the trees, glacier blue icicles, the shimmering ripples of the mountain lakes, the river rapids carving smooth craters in the stone. As we were driving, we listened to Sarah McLachlan’s “Ordinary Miracle.” The song and the surroundings were a perfect fit.

“The sky knows when it’s time to snow
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today”

Though my job doesn’t afford me the luxury of working in the natural world, I am reminded to look for ordinary miracles wherever we are, despite our surroundings. A child learning to read. A school day running smoothly. The synergy of colleagues. The company of friends. The embrace of a child.

“Life is like a gift, they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up, and find a way
To give some of your own”

What gift, what miracle, will you open, unravel or discover today?

“The birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today”

Earlier this week, I saw amateur footage of a family of ducks crossing 167 Avenue. While they were crossing this busy road, the mom and dad were on either side of the ducklings: one at the front, one at the back. The ducklings squawked joyously upon their arrival on the grass. After crossing, mom and dad both took the lead, the danger now behind them. Truly remarkable.

“The sun comes out and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today”

Miracles surround us: if only we allow our eyes to see.

Ordinary Miracle music video – Sarah McLachlan

I arrived at school earlier than usual this week. Each day, several of our students were already at the daycare – by 6:30 a.m. I also know that those same students are some of the last to be picked up at day’s end. No wonder they are tired and antsy during the school day. This week, I also had tearful visits from both students who lost their mother unexpectedly this year. Three other boys, grades one, four and five, were in the office a few times – not because they were in trouble, but because they were not being productive in the classroom.

What’s the commonality? All are struggling because of circumstances beyond their control and beyond their years. Understanding their circumstances helps us to deal with these students with patience and care.

Today we celebrate mother’s day. For many, this is a day of joy – honouring a significant adult in their lives. For others, this is a day of pain – highlighting what’s missing.

Linda F. Winfield has said, “Resilient children have at least one significant adult in their lives.” Perhaps we are that significant adult in a child’s life. And perhaps we need to convey the same message Christopher Robin gave to Winnie the Pooh, “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

As we sat to prepare class lists for next year, the topic came up: what does this child need? Perhaps they need YOU.

I recently heard the phrase “you attract more flies with honey.” I hadn’t heard it for a while and it got me thinking: imagine watching a video of yourself throughout the day. Do your interactions scare others away or attract people towards you? How do you think others perceive you?

In a moment of joy, excitement or productivity, we are not likely to react unkindly to those around us. However, when three people are simultaneously demanding our attention, or when we are needed in two places at once, or when the hecticness of the day seems overwhelming, our reactions sometimes become snappy or curt. Yet, even when we are busy or stressed, frustrated or overwhelmed, each interaction is a reflection of us as individuals and sometimes also of a school or company. For every negative interaction we have, it takes many positive to compensate – if we are given the chance.

As I said to a student earlier this week, it takes the same amount of time to be polite as it does to be snippy. And which yields better results?

No matter our job, our surroundings, our status in life, human interaction is critical. And really, our interactions are like a boomerang: whatever you throw, tends to come back to you.

What is it that you want in life? Success? Fame? Wealth? Happiness?

My own answer is happiness. The one thing I truly wanted in my life – which I thought would bring my happiness – I am unable to have. Therefore I had a decision to make: wallow in sorrow or find other ways to be happy. Life typically doesn’t deal us the cards we would choose for ourselves. So the question becomes: with the cards I have, can I still be happy?

I recently watched a documentary entitled Happy. It features individuals from around the world – people that you might not expect to be happy: those living in poverty with little food and few possessions, a woman whose life changed drastically when she was run over by a truck and required 26 reconstructive surgeries.

You would think that our circumstances would determine our happiness. And yet, every day, individuals prove that theory false. Despite difficult circumstances, we can choose to be happy. Despite tragic and disheartening life events – after a period of natural grief and sorrow – we can return to happiness. I think of my father, immobile for the last six years of his life. Despite his situation, he chose happiness.

One of the students I work with every day is undeniably, overtly happy. It is difficult not to smile when you’re around her. I would imagine that this will persist as she goes through life. Will she face sad, devastating or tragic circumstances in her life? Likely. Will she choose happiness? I am just as certain the answer will be yes.

One of the 7 Habits as written by Stephen Covey is Synergize. In short, it is described as “two heads are better than one.” Our students use this word all the time – even the six year olds. Outsiders to the school are surprised to hear them use it, use it correctly and understand what it means. What does synergy look like? Cooperation, teamwork, problem solving, ingenuity, a buzz of energy.

And did I ever see synergy in action this past week! At school, as we geared up for Leadership Day… as a family as we prepared for my grandma’s 90th birthday party… and even in the following video, as a group stumbles upon a trapped humpback whale:  http://www.flixxy.com/humpback-whale-gives-show-after-being-saved.htm#.T4TPpsFmDZo.email

Rod Williams has said, “We are like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. We are all unique, and have our own special place in the puzzle of the universe. Without each of us, the puzzle is incomplete.”

We bring our gifts and together we are better than we would be alone. Synergy is evident when we meet as a staff to dialogue, continue our learning and rejuvenate our skills. Synergy is evident as a family comes together to deal with the illness of a loved one. Synergy is evident on the sports field when all members of the team use their talents toward a common goal. Synergy is evident when a group of students gather to clean up the school yard. Synergy is evident when the individual notes played by the members of a symphony come together in a masterpiece.

Synergy is energizing. Synergy is not caring about getting the credit. Synergy leads to fulfillment: the satisfaction of a job well done.

P.S. Take the time to watch the whale video: perhaps it will uplift you as you begin your week…

In October, I gave each class in our school this mission: change the world through words.

Over the last two weeks I have spent much time developing a website – www.wordschangeworlds.org – highlighting the many projects of our students. As I read their accounts, I was touched by their insight and compassion. I am hopeful that this concept is one they will remember and that they realize how empowering words can be!

Just as we model and discuss classroom expectations throughout the year, this concept too is one which deserves ongoing attention. Words can be incredibly hurtful when used carelessly, flippantly or maliciously. Just recently I was disheartened to hear the words spoken to one of our students by his own parents. He was devastated.

On the flip-side, words can be incredibly encouraging, inspiring and motivating. When I was supervising the other day, I was walking with a student who has separation anxiety from her mother. Another student said to her, “Good for you. You were brave today!” A humble, timid grin spread across the girl’s face.

Whether we realize it or not, the words we hear – especially during our formative years – shape us, contribute to our self-concept and affect our willingness to take risks.

This year, our students have discussed and explored ways that words change the world. Check out the website to view their projects!

 

 

I often start and end the school day with a hug. There are also many in between. In how many professions can you say that?

Our job is not known to be especially rewarding financially but payment comes in many forms. I leave my job at the end of the day rewarded by those I have encountered: students who are truly excited to see you, parents who just needed someone to listen, staff who take the extra time with a student in need of support, teachers whose passion permeates everything they do.

As with every job, there are aspects that are necessary but not desirable: a call to children’s services, a fight for special needs funding, dealing with discipline… just to name a few.

“In activity we must find our joy as well as glory; and labor, like everything else that is good, is its own reward.” Edwin P. Whipple

The hugs help too.

 

“Stop.”

A four letter word. A persuasive word. A word prompting action or more precisely an end to action. A word sometimes absent when it should be present. A word effective in the face of bullying.

Recently, I watched What Would You Do? – the ABC hidden camera show with John Quinones. One of the situations took place in an icecream shop where a customer – an actor – stuttered and therefore took a considerable length of time to place her order. Other actors who were in line behind her, began harassing her, making rude comments and questioning her intelligence. The cameras caught the reactions of those unaware that this situation was staged. There were some who heard, were visibly upset but did not intervene. There were others who confronted the bullies.

Whether we are children or adults, it is easy to stand by silently during a situation we know is unjust. It is more difficult to get involved and stand up for the victim. Yet I have witnessed the power of the seemingly simply utterance “stop” in the midst of intimidation or victimization. This word typically yields results.

Just as words have immense power to hurt, words also have immense power to help. The choice is yours.

 

Last weekend I found a fascinating full page spread in the National Post outlining world religions. There are proportional circles representing various religions throughout the world: some familiar, some completely unfamiliar. (The link if you’re interested: http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/03/23/graphic-a-demographic-breakdown-of-the-world-of-religion/)

What struck me is the commonality of a belief in a higher power. Now I realize that there are 146 million people who ascribe to atheism. But the other 6 billion 3 hundred million believe in ‘something’.  What does that tell us? As humans we seek, search for and perhaps even desire a higher power. We seek explanation. We seek order. We seek comfort in something larger than ourselves.

I don’t always believe in or support everything the church does or says. I also know that our varying beliefs have been the cause of much conflict throughout history. I know that to reconcile the evolution theory versus the creation theory is a daunting task. Yet, regardless of all of this, my faith continues to be a source of comfort. Though I cannot explain my faith, it is ever present within me. Though I cannot answer questions explaining ‘why it is so’ or even ‘how it is so’, I continue to believe.

Who am I to purport that my beliefs are the correct ones? After all, I was born into my faith. It was not a choice I made. And yet, my faith provides me with much comfort. When I face uncertainty, sadness or confusion in my life, I am comforted by my belief in something bigger than myself. I have faith that there is a reason for the suffering or pain in our world though I don’t claim to like it or understand it. Watching our parents lose the ability to walk, talk and eat… hearing about the sufferings of our young students… witnessing tragic loss or abusive behaviour… the inability to have children… dealing with addiction or poverty… these are situations most of us would certainly rather avoid.

Yet, it is through my faith that I am able to provide comfort and support to those around me. It is through my faith that I find strength. Ultimately, it is through my faith that I have come to realize that these situations, tragic as they are, shape us into who we are today, making us more humble, kindhearted and compassionate.

Though it remains a mystery, my faith endures.

 

 

Report cards are finished, IPPs completed and signed, and the Demonstration of Learning has come and gone. I love my job but this week I was tired. Anybody else?

Actually, I think the kids are tired too. They seem ready for a mental break. Spring Break is more than a time to jet-set somewhere warm. For those of us in a school, Spring Break is a time to rejuvenate and rest to gear up for the remaining three months of the school year.

Individuals outside of education often ‘joke’ about the hours of teachers. Somehow they truly seem to believe that we only work 6 hours a day and 10 months of the year. If that were the case I could go home at 1 pm each day and not do any work at home… imagine!

It can be difficult to articulate the emotional, physical and psychological demands of this job to someone who has never experienced it. At the end of each day, it can be difficult to leave behind thoughts of the troubled student, the to-do list and the mounds of paper waiting on our desks.

Never fear: spring break is in sight. Enjoy your well-deserved break!