Category Archives: celebrations

Another school year coming to an end in teacher education

academics, celebrations, education, Reflections, Teacher education, teaching

Many universities have their last week of classes this week. The message I (Yiola) end my courses with and what I hope resonates with my student teachers is the message that, at the end of the day,  teaching is ultimately a relational act.  Teaching is about building relationships and fostering a sense of care — having students build a love, respect and belief in themselves and a concern for and desire to learn and achieve. As teachers, we play a significant role in that belief.

In my courses we explore instructional methods: lesson planning, learning environment, creative teaching, and so many curriculum areas. We frame these practices in critical pedagogy and a pedagogy of care. I do my best, in the weekly / bi-weekly class structure of the university, to model what I outline above.

inspiring

I came across this ad on social media and it caught my attention. It made me think of all those  I work with, teach, and care about.

To you I encourage: question thoughtfully, think critically, read intently, and teach confidently.

Wishing everyone a happy end of the school year.

Happy Birthday Alan Cumming

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Much to my delight I (Clare) discovered a column in the Globe and Mail (Canadian national Alan Cummingnewspaper) by Alan Cumming. Yes that Alan Cumming from The Good Wife, Masterpiece Theatre, Cabaret, and …. His first column was on turning 50. He says “I entered my 40s weeping … at 30, I had the regulation freak-out and changed my life completely….” He continues on:

But turning 50 has been a breeze. I have been longing to be 50 for ages, you see. I just like the sound of it. I like that people can’t believe it’s true. I like that I am dancing in a kickline in a Broadway musical every night with girls half my age and that my body is in better shape than it has been in any of my previous five decades, even though I party like a 20-year-old and can drink those kickline girls under the table. (Well, I am Scottish after all. It’s a national trait.)

I enjoy getting older. Is that so wrong? What I’m not so keen on is other people getting older. They get a bit boring, frankly. They talk about themselves as if they’ve had some sort of debilitating accident and can no longer function as they used to.

He talks about his birthday party bash. After reading the column I felt a real lightness and wanted to give life a hug. Here is the link for the entire article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/hard-won-wisdom-why-i-keep-dancing-as-time-marches-on/article23049338/

And while I am on the topic of Alan Cumming I highly recommend his autobiography Not My Father’s Son: A Memoir. It was one of the best books I read last year. Cumming grew up in home rife with violence. He escaped but was haunted by his father his whole life. The book is funny, sad, insightful, and beautifully written. Here is the link to it: http://www.amazon.ca/Not-My-Fathers-Son-Memoir/dp/0062225065/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424522351&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Alan+Cumming

So happy birthday Alan Cumming. I wish I had been at your party because it sounds like it was a blast and you inspire me.

J.K. Rowling Harvard Address: You need both failure and imagination!

celebrations, Reflections, ,

J.K. Rowling J.K. Rowling’s address to Harvard grads in 2008 will be published as an illustrated book “Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination.”

Harvard president Drew Gilpin Faust said in a statement “I have heard and read many commencement speeches, none more moving and memorable than J.K. Rowling’s. Years after her visit to Harvard, people still talk about it — and still find inspiration in her singular evocation of the idea that living a meaningful life so often means daring to risk failure. What a powerful example she embodies, and what a remarkable gift her speech was, and is, for all of us privileged to hear it then — and to read it now.”

Rowlings’ two main messages are: there are benefits of failure and imagination is crucially important. Thanks to the wonders of digital technology you can hear her speech by clicking on the link below. If you have some time listen to her speech because I (Clare) found it inspiring and funny.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2014/12/02/rowling-harvard-commencement-speech-illustrated-book/mIvzElYtypZUUoYnmLSDfM/story.html

Happy Birthday Abbey

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AbbeyOn our blog we have shared so many of our interests with our readers. Today for Abbeysomething totally different! I (Clare) have a little Yorkshire terrier who is like my little baby. Tomorrow he turns 15 years old. As you can see from the photos he is adorable. There is nothing like coming home from a long day at work and seeing his little face in window. By the time I have unlocked the front door, he is standing in at the top of the stairs, wagging his little tail. In that instant all of the “stuff” from work just 01 02 04 Abbey at the Office 2vanishes. DSC00607A good friend of mine, Ardra Cole, said that everyone writing a thesis should have a dog because of the comfort and love a pet gives. I would extend this – if you have the resources – everyone should have a loving little pet. So happy birthday Abbey!