International Teacher's Day 2021

I was a teacher once, many years ago, but turned those skills toward parenting my own kids, and somehow never got back to the classroom. I have the deepest respect for teachers, especially in these build-the-plane-as-you-fly-it days of covid. Teachers are miracle workers who deserve our undying appreciation as they inspire and guide our young people to be whole, and hopefully, happy and healthy members of our society. It's a tall, tall order to do what they do!

A first year teacher (me)
and some of her students

So here's an exercise to mark World Teacher's Day, which was established in 1994 to commemorate the signing of an important Recommendation Concerning the Status of  Teachers by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN International Labour Organization -- fifty-five years ago today.

The exercise is simple but challenging. Name the significant teachers in your life, people who have taught you, people who have taught important people in your life (I've included some of my colleagues and my kids' teachers, too). I'm sure I've missed quite a few, and it was definitely challenging to remember some of their first names, but here are the ones I am thinking of today:

Lillian Howrish, Alida Janzen, Violet Hansen, Florence Carson, Aline Collins, Gloria Vilbrunt, Robert Motut, Julian Usyk, Rick Lemieux, Ken Donnelly, Collin Collister, Bob Chorney, Diane Washuta, Heather Bedford-Clooney, Palma Covelli, Lorraine Gallant, Karen Douziech, Fr. Fee Otterson, Gary Kozens, Lee Vilbrunt, George Stepney, George Fortier, Gina Charbonneau, Glen Kirkland, David Leigh, Dr. Eileen Conway, Fr. David Louch, Dr. Walter Moser, Fr. Tim Scott, Dr. Olenka Bilash, Dr. Barbara DeLuna, Ingrid Zukiwsky, Dr. Bob Ware, Dr. Ron Stephens, Arthur Szynkowski, Pat Dusyk, Kathy Dekker, Michael Marien, Shirley Marien, Pat Turner, Monique Gratrix, Maria Lentz, Sr. Teresita Kambeitz, Shirleyan Threndal, Fr. Dave Norman, Lucille Lewans-Rezac, Fr. Ron Rolheiser, Louise Potvin, Fr. Don MacDonald, Fr. Paul Fachet, Bishop Gerry Wiesner, Ruthie Wasylenko, Gilles Denis, Michelle Widynowski, Priscille Jong, Janice Barton, Margaret Bujold, Richard Beaudoin, Michelle Dupuis, Karen Koester, Moira Hecker, Dr. Tracy Bear, and last but definitely not least, Jeanine, my dear sister.

How many can you name from your life?

Heartfelt gratitude to all teachers today! They deserve it, now more than ever. 

If you are able to express your appreciation to a teacher in person or online, go for it!

A music teacher's labour of love

On Friday, our daughters learned that this Sunday afternoon, today, their school band and its alumni have been invited to give a concert at the Cross Cancer Institute. A band alumnus from 2010 (J. was in grade 12 when our eldest was in grade 10) has cancer and will be having surgery tomorrow... and we all pray for the best. He's at the Cross, and this afternoon's concert is a special performance for him and his family... including some songs from his years in band. One of our girls has been scrambling to learn flute parts for a couple of songs only rehearsed once on Friday. The band teacher will be on hand at school to give out music and instruments to all who need them, and they'll converge on the Cross at 1 p.m.

Our band teacher is a wonderful woman... and this event only underlines for me how many of our teachers are unsung heroes, no matter their teaching abilities, just because of the bonds of love between them and their students.

4:00 p.m. Just back from a very moving concert. The high school band and its alumni were amazing -- giving an excellent and much appreciated performance. The school's motto is "We are family," and today, we truly were. It was probably the best form of support and strength J.'s schoolmates could offer him toward tomorrow's surgery.

God bless Madame B. and her wonderful band students, past and present. And God bless and keep J. safe through his surgery tomorrow. Feel free to add your own prayers!