They sat in front of me grimacing. We had been learning how to play band instruments for a few weeks and I just announced it was going to be time for a “check in,” as I call them. I probably could have called the “check in” a marshmallow, or a chocolate bar and they wouldn’t [...]
Twenty-four years ago, I was starting my teaching career in a Grade 5 class. After the second month of school, my class was feeling pretty comfortable with me. There was a growing concern on my part about the note passing that was taking place. You remember the notes that were passed between students: “What are [...]
The room is warm; excitement and the odour of nervous middle schoolers fills the air. Students, wearing a mix of everyday clothing and fairy-tale wear, run back and forth in frantic frenzy between their parents, their classmates, and backstage, to make sure everything is “just right” and in place for their moment on the stage. [...]
Just before Christmas, I wandered around the middle school campus, observing students and teachers. It’s one of my favourite things to do during the day--so cool to be a witness to learning! I was struck by how incredibly busy our halls are, reinforcing for me the fact that our hallways really are extensions of our [...]
On the first day of vacation, my children brought to me; a tree that is slowly leaning On the second day of vacation, my children brought to me; two found report cards On the third day of vacation, my children brought to me; three half-full lunch kits On the fourth day of vacation, my children [...]
It’s five minutes before presentation time and my PowerPoint notes are spread out in front of me. I try to hide them from people because they are already filled with font size 10 text and some will even need to be turned over in order to read the full story of what I really planned [...]
I was taking a first year Canadian history course and my professor asked the question,“Why do you think there was a law in Lower Canada that prohibited the cutting down of oak trees?” I thought to myself, “Oh, I know this one!” A little background is needed here. I was almost finished my degree, but [...]
I remember the moment vividly. I was in grade 9, standing in our living room beside the piano. My mom and I were in heated debate over a timer. I was a bit ticked (at myself) because once again, my younger and more musically inclined sister had taken it upon herself to learn how to [...]
Have you ever noticed that you need others in order to make it through adventures and ordeals? Case in point, tubing on Lake Okanagan. Our school board chair, Rick Thiessen and his wife Karen (who is also our school’s transportation coordinator) invited my family to spend an afternoon boating with them. The Thiessen’s have a [...]
As year-end looms near, and our minds begin to wander away from the tasks at hand to the many things to accomplish in so few weeks, and the promise of summer vacation, I find myself a bit reflective.You see, I won’t be returning to regular teaching next year. The tug-of-war between home and classroom is [...]
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