The Promise of the First Day of School

I love the first day of school, it is always so full of excitement and promise-a fresh start.  For the teachers, it is the chance to be better, to do better, to try more, to be innovative, to be your best for you and for your students!  For the students, it is the one day of the year when everyone has 100%, when everyone is at the same spot; eager, excited and nervous.  The classrooms are clean and organized, everything is bright and shiny and new.  It is our job now to try and keep that shine alive for as long as we can!  What if we could end the year with the same eagerness, excitement and enthusiasm that we begin it with?

Happy first day of school students and teachers everywhere, may it be the first of a year full of wonderful days and learning experiences!

40 lessons from 40 years

Well, it is here, the big 4-0.  I have decided to embrace it and to share 40 random life lessons I have learned in my 40 years!  Here they are in no particular order:

1.  Being filled and being fulfilled are not the same
2.  The number of bottles of wine consumed should not exceed the number of people present
3.  Spirituality is about how you live not where you worship
4.  Being a parent is life's greatest gife
5.  It is good to put in your 2 cents only when it won't cost you more
6.  Life isn't fair
7.  Advil and diet Pepsi aren't part of a food group
8.  Most things are made better by one or all of the 4 great c's; great coffee, great chocolate, great Cabernet and great company
9. It is okay to go to a movie by yourself
10. Being smart is better than being good looking but it is preferable to be both
11. You can learn from the past but you can't change it; guilt is a waste of time
12.  The NHL playoffs are way too long
13.  Summer holidays are the best part of the year
14.  A mother's hug cures almost anything no matter how old you are
15.  There is no accident that the word "work" is in "work out"
16.  Always unplug your car in winter before driving away
17.  There is a connection between looking good and feeling good
18.  Literacy is the great equalizer
19.  Knowing right, being right and doing right are not the same
20.  The book is always better than the movie
21.  Laughter is the best medicine (Advil might be number 2)
22.  Sometimes everyone needs a mental health day
23.  Do what you love; love what you do
24.  Ambition and compassion make a great team
25.  Family is forever
26.  Money cannot buy happiness but having both is really nice
27.  There is no such thing as normal
28.  Swearing is best left for very specific occasions rather than everyday language
29.  Setting goals is essential to achieving them
30.  As much as you might try, food that tastes good is not the same as food that is good for you
31.  The sixth sense is a sense of humour
32.  Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth but you still have to wait in a lot of lines
33.  Yelling rarely works
34.  If you are a good friend you will have good friends
35.  Yelling rarely works
36.  Wearing the team's jersey or colours while watching the game has no power over whether they win or lose
37.  The best way to be positive and optimistic is to be surrounded by positive and optimistic people
38.  Drink a lot of water
39.  Show and share your love and appreciation to those who have it
40.  Celebrate often!

Losing a Winner

I have previously blogged about teachers who have positively impacted my life but, as a teacher, that is a reciprocal relationship.  My students have also made significant changes in my outlook and have helped shape the person that I am.  Often we hear people referred to as 'losers'. In my career, I have been very fortunate to have crossed paths with a few exceedingly wonderful students; kids with a twinkle in their eye and a fire in their belly.  These students are the ones I call 'winners' for they have a gravitational pull to them; a mix of charisma, ambition, poise, confidence, grace, dignity and integrity that lets everyone know that they will be successful at whatever they set out to do and, in doing so, will truly make the world a better place.  In my experience, theses winners are like a jet without a firm flight plan and, by giving them some ideas, and a little targeted direction, you can watch them take off...it is truly a thrilling experience.

I just returned from a wonderful holiday with my family to hear the shocking news that one of my 'winners' lost her life in a tragic car accident.  Morgan Lipinski was a 21 year old firecracker.  There was nothing that she couldn't do or at least wouldn't try.  When we met she was the president of the school's Student Leadership Council and I was the staff advisor.  We planned many school activities and events together and I marveled at her enthusiasm and energy.  Morgan could get anyone to buy what she was selling and she truly made the school a better place.  I also had the opportunity to supervise her on her work experience placement with a local residential design firm.  After only one week as a high school work ex. student, she had mastered auto cad, was updating the company's website and she was asked for and provided her ideas at weekly staff meetings including submitting moderate design changes to existing projects.  I was honoured  to hand her the numerous scholarships and awards that she won in her grade 12 year,  to edit her valedictory address and to watch her receive the Governor General's Medal.  On occasion of her grade 12 graduation, I gave Morgan a copy of Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Places You'll Go!" that I inscribed for her.  I wish she could have gone to more places but I am honoured that, for a short period of time, I was able to go along with her. The world has lost a winner and so have I.  If nothing else, I am reminded of the fragility of this gift of life.  Working with students like Morgan is a great gift, having a brush with the future and the optimism that comes from knowing it is in good hands.  May you all be fortunate enough to work with a winner like Morgan.