There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen I am the parent of a child that suffers from a debilitating mental health illness. I share this fact not to seek empathy, concern, or even pity. I share this because the acknowledgement is unburdening; somewhat freeing. I share this in … Continue reading Struggles: Parenting A Youth with Mental Health Challenges
Tag: Relationships
Beauty (& Humility) of Mentorship
Colleagues are a wonderful thing - but mentors, that's where the real work gets done. Junot Diaz I recently became involved in our local teacher association's mentorship program. What an empowering and humbling experience! After nearly twenty-six years in education, it was time. Time to offer my colleagues something that I acknowledged was missing during … Continue reading Beauty (& Humility) of Mentorship
My Act II: One Year Anniversary
Our mistakes don't limit us, our fears do. Maya Vargas Well, it has been exactly one year since I made the wise decision to take a leave of absence in order to properly address what had become very burdensome: mental ill-health. The time and space were essential for healing, resetting, and fortifying my emotional agility … Continue reading My Act II: One Year Anniversary
Fostering My Knowingness
Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way. Florence Scovel Shinn It's rarely wrong. It usually speaks to my integrity. It knows right from wrong. Its voice can be a loud banging or a subtle nuance. And its often ignored at the peril of the individual. Intuition. I think … Continue reading Fostering My Knowingness
A Eulogy (of sorts)
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.Dr. Seuss During a recent coaching session, it became clear to me that even though I said 'goodbye' to my old teaching position (choosing not to return after my personal leave), there was still a lingering feeling in my body. And then it landed. While I had … Continue reading A Eulogy (of sorts)
A Shift: A Personal Mission Statement That I Didn’t Think I Had
Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.James Belasco & Ralph Stayer I am here. Here I am. Here is a point in my professional life when, where, and how I decide to move it forward. A transitional, … Continue reading A Shift: A Personal Mission Statement That I Didn’t Think I Had
A True ‘Honouring’ Tradition
Don't take life too seriously; no one makes it out alive.Elbert Hubbard Our first child graduated yesterday. It was a big moment for many reasons, one being that it was a year we doubted whether him graduating was even a possibility. But, despite mental health, ADHD, and an addiction, he made it. Hell, I'm proud. … Continue reading A True ‘Honouring’ Tradition
Our ‘Truth Mandala’ Reality
Better to be slapped with the truth than kissed with a lie.Russian Proverb Yep. Being a lifelong learner really does pay off. In spades. I am continually reminded of this by my dear students. Today, my gang spent the day outside, and it has become a daily exercise for us. COVID has given many of … Continue reading Our ‘Truth Mandala’ Reality
Core Practice #4: Nourishment
When a flower doesn't bloom you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.Alexander den Heijer The fourth core practice of our school is that of nourishment. This has been the most difficult (so far) in that nourishment is often viewed as a one-way lens. From one perspective, nourishment is seen easily defined … Continue reading Core Practice #4: Nourishment
Core Practice #2: Courage
Fear will always be triggered by your creativity because creativity asks you to enter into realms of uncertain outcome, and fear hates uncertain outcome.Elizabeth Gilbert My journey of exploring our school core practices continues with reflecting how courage plays an elemental role in my daily professional practice. While the etymology of courage seems quite straightforward: … Continue reading Core Practice #2: Courage
GETTING CURIOUS 