I saw the Rocky Horror Show at the Citadel this weekend. It reminded me of the dichotomy of conformity versus self-expression. The traditional, conservative in opposition to the free-spirited expression of those sometimes deemed at the edge. I often think of my mother who taught high school for many years. Where others would notice and perhaps judge the differences – the attempts at self-expression – my mother did not. To her credit, she did not even seem to notice. She accepted all students for who they were.

Do we expect conformity in our classrooms?

Do we permit those experimenting with their self-expression to ‘try-on’ various personas and styles?

Do we allow students in our school to take risks or do we have an expected, required idea of ‘good’ or ‘model’ students?

Do we make assumptions about our students based on their behaviour or appearance, without considering their life experience?

Do we value our students for who they are… even when we might not understand them?

 

Last week I saw a rabbit: a white rabbit sitting on the dry, brown lawn. I marvel at the rabbit’s ability to adapt to the season, albeit a tad early this winter.

Being at a new school this year, I myself have had to adapt. It’s the same job, the same position and yet still it was necessary to adapt to the environment and current culture. And really, each year we begin with a new class, we must adapt to the needs, strengths and interests of our students.

At our meeting last Thursday, we explored some pedagogical questions. Many of you walked away from that meeting thinking about how you might adapt your planning and teaching. I suppose to be most successful, we should live our work lives in a constant cycle of plan… act… reflect… adapt.

This week is the 10th anniversary of my father’s death. As Multiple Sclerosis affected his body, he was constantly adapting to the limitations placed on him. Over time, he lost the ability to walk, work, care for himself, feed himself, talk and ultimately to move. And yet – somehow – he did not complain. He found ways to adapt to his changing reality and lived life to his last day.

If one thing is certain, our world is in constant flux. We are forced to adapt to our changing realities. We can never truly predict what tomorrow will bring. The rabbits are likely hoping for snow…

Think of a teacher who influenced you when you were in school… What did he or she do to make a difference in your day?

The teachers that come to mind for me are ones who made connections to my life and who were passionate about what they were teaching. They obviously loved their jobs.

Twenty-five, thirty years after the fact, I remember the feelings I had sitting in the classrooms of my favourite teachers. I don’t remember the specifics of what they taught me, but I do remember feeling appreciated and inspired. I remember knowing that I could take risks without fear of embarrassment. I remember looking forward to each day to see what my teachers had planned. I remember experiencing the joy of learning.

Unfortunately, I also remember the feelings I had sitting in the classrooms of teachers whom I remember for very different reasons: feelings of boredom, confusion and frustration. Teachers who did not seem to enjoy their jobs. Teachers tainted by negativity. Teachers who seemed bored themselves.

How do your students see you? Do you make the effort to connect with them each day? Do you love what you do? Is there joy in your classroom and in our school?

“To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” Henry David Thoreau

Do you have a favourite book? A book you return to that calms or comforts or inspires?

I recently opened a Nero Wolfe book again. A friend suggested I do so. I had been feeling upset and unsettled without explanation. Even my comfort food didn’t help me to feel better. Yet I opened the pages of that book and before long I was transported back to the old brownstone, reunited with characters I know well and distracted from my own worries.

Why wouldn’t we teach kids the power of words? Today they certainly transformed my mood. Maybe I’m an anomaly. Or maybe, just maybe, there are some kids out there like me who find solace between the pages of a book…

 

Are you doing what you want in your life right now? 10 years ago… 20 years ago would you have predicted this is where you’d be? What passion burns inside you waiting to escape? What motivates you? What inspires you?

Peter McWilliams has said, “In reality, serendipity accounts for one percent of the blessings we receive in life, work and love. The other 99 percent is due to our efforts.”

I recently saw a news report of a 100 year-old man who completed a marathon in Toronto. He ran the 42 kilometre race in 8 hours 25 minutes. He began running 20 years ago at the age of 80 and now runs about 16 kilometres each day. His dream was to be the world’s oldest marathon runner… it looks like his efforts have paid off.

Each day is full of possibilities. Each day provides the time and opportunity to reach our goals. Evidently, it is never too late to begin. What is the greatness others see in you? What greatness do you see in yourself? What will you do today to bring this greatness to fruition?

Knowing there are those who cannot see the warm colours of the fall leaves, I am grateful for my sense of sight.

Knowing there are those forced into silence, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak and write freely.

Knowing there are those who fear for their safety every day of their lives, I am grateful to live in Canada, the true north strong and free.

Knowing there are those without loved ones for the first time this Thanksgiving, I am grateful to be surrounded by family and friends.

Knowing there are those without homes, I am grateful for the bills that arrive on my doorstep each month.

Knowing there are those without work, I am grateful for a vocation that satisfies and empowers.

Knowing there are those suffering in pain, I am grateful for my health.

Knowing there are those who are unmotivated and withdrawn from the world, I am grateful to face new challenges each day.

Each day is a gift.

During the last few days I heard many stories of how words changed worlds: both negatively and positively.

A story surfaced about the impact of words uttered many, many years ago by a bully. The emotions were still evident as this individual shared with us the hurt caused by these words. Words can be excruciatingly painful. The torment experienced by those bullied, not with fists but by language, is one that must not be downplayed. Words spoken in mere seconds or etched on a bathroom wall can impact a person’s life indefinitely.

On the other hand, one individual described how as a four-year-old she exclaimed “I can’t” as time after time she tried and failed to hit the baseball. Her dad responded, “If you say you can’t, you won’t. If you say you can, you will.” On the next pitch, she proceeded to hit that ball. More importantly, these words stayed with her and have influenced her still to this day.

Words most certainly have the power to change worlds: they can sustain, inspire, defeat, teach, empower, dishearten or liberate.

How have words changed your world? Care to share?

 

Legacy. This word came up a few times this past week: at our SAC meeting, in discussion about Helen, in my readings and also as we ran the Terry Fox Run.

Think for a moment about the legacy of Terry Fox. He was diagnosed with cancer and had his leg amputated when he was just 18 years old. Despite his own struggles he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. No one could have imagined the legacy that was beginning to unfold as he took his first steps in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Thirty-one years after he first began his run, over $550 million has been raised in Terry’s name. Though his goal was much more humble, the success of his journey did not happen by accident. Terry brought his passion, formed a plan, showed more persistence than most of us could muster, and the rest is history.

What are you passionate about? How will you leave your mark on this world?

Each of us has the power to influence, inspire and be a positive force in this world. Most of us will not leave a legacy as large as Terry Fox, but as Mahatma Gandhi once said, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

I spent a lot of time this past week with one litle guy in particular. In fact, on Friday I wanted to take him home with me. As I write this I wonder about his safety and wellbeing. When a five year old has seen and experienced so much in his short life… when such a hard shell covers such a fragile interior… when you know that worry and fear take the place of play and joy… it is certainly cause for concern.

Are his demons real or imagined? I’m still in the process of sorting this out. Regardless, I see a little soul dealing with big fears. What can we do or say to ease his worries and help him to trust once again? How can we prevent this angry child from going down the path of violence or addiction? How can we help him to stay positive and hopeful about life?

Though I wonder how we can counter all of his worries, I truly believe that every interaction is important. I will say what I mean and do what I say. I will be consistent. I will maintain his dignity despite the choices he makes. I will convey right and wrong. I will set boundaries and exert discipline. I will show love and empathy.

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”  Christopher Reeve

Each morning I read a reflection by Robin Sharma. Last week one of the entries was…  “Your days are your life in miniature. As you live your days, so you live your life. Don’t waste even a single one of them. ”

During the last two weeks, several individuals I know well, underwent surgery due to cancer. I had some heavy discussions about addiction with one of our students as she deals with alcoholism in her family. A little boy from Sparwood, B.C. was abducted and then miraculously and mysteriously returned to his family. I, like many of you, watched coverage of the September 11th memorial celebrations. Evidently, there is illness, sadness and evil in our world. With all of the heavy issues we deal with, we truly have to enjoy the gift of each day. We do not know what tomorrow brings.

Some things in life are out of our control. And yet, our responses to these events are within our control. We can provide support and love to those undergoing stress and struggles. We can look for beauty in the natural world. We can enjoy, appreciate and articulate our love to those around us. We can find sunshine – triumph, hope and forgiveness – even in the darkest days. We can hold firm in our faith.

Who needs to hear loving, hopeful or caring words in your world today?

What will you do to ensure that you are living your day – your life in miniature – to the fullest?