Free Fall Alchemy

https://youtu.be/AaqGi6D3xKU?si=no1xnJIGl0qMVN9D
The fact that he can’t see that his government has failed on this says everything you need to know about his ability to govern… he can’t, sign the recall Calgary-Bow

'Prolonged outages affect students academically': Alta. minister on ending teachers strike Alberta Minister Nicolaides explains the reasoning for using the notwithstanding clause to end a three-week teachers’ strike, citing the reason for it being ...

I was chatting with my family as we walked home from voting in the civic election about the talk of 40+ student class sizes during the teacher strike. I started thinking and maybe rambling a bit about how, since Covid, I’ve taught a full 8 out of 8 courses three out of the last five years.

If you do the math — a class of 40 students (yes, that was my average) × 4 classes — that’s 120 report card comments, four times a year. Then add in feedback, IPPs, EAL assessments, classroom assessments (multiplied by however many we do in a semester), plus the everyday complexities of managing skyrocketing anxiety and depression, multi-level curricula, supporting clubs, morning and after-school meetings — oh my god, so many meetings — and learning 120 new names per semester… that’s 240 names a year.

It made my husband’s constant comment — “the job is killing you” — finally sink in, and frankly almost brought me to tears to my eyes…to all to those who devalue the work we do…yes, really, believe it or not we do it for the students…

Sipping on my Be Calm tea in the sunshine this evening- made with love- and home grown herbs by one of m dearest friends of over 30 years. There is something feeling grounding about drinking something crafted by someone who knows your heart so well.

As I take my in this quiet moment I’ve been reflecting on the many beautiful experiences I’ve had with students from Thunder Bay, Olds, and across Calgary. Each learner brought something unique- but what connected them all was the way they came together to build resilience, strength, and community.

Never underestimate what you can learn from the next generation. they are our future, yes- but they are also our teachers in the here and now. Honoured and grateful for every lesson they have shared.