People and Programs

Last night our school held our Christmas (or non-offensive, non-denominational event of select importance that coincides with time off from school) Celebration. We performed the Nutcracker - which is very Christmas-y, so offend away!

The reason I am making a deal over this is that we pride ourselves at being very multi cultural, which in our area of Ontario, is somewhat of a feat. Last year, each grade chose a celebration theme and performed a couple of songs to recognize that (my Grade 3s sang Jewish songs to recognize Hanukkah). All the major denominations and religions were recognized - except Christianity! So this year, we do the Nutcracker... hmmm....

The point of this? I was off-stage last night, looking proud and beaming at my kids and listening to the applause they and the other performers we getting (well, my Grade 3s just sang a couple of chorus songs, nothing like the acting of the major performers or anything, but I'm shameless in promoting the success of my kids) when by my principal’s words finally made sense to me: Its all about People and Programs.

A little history: I currently teach at a new school within our region. Our goal is to be a flagship school of our board, the tip of the sword if you will... which we do very well, I shamelessly assert. The one tiny problem about this is that we are without a building, and have been for the year and half since we started our school. We are currently "renting" space out of two locations, with the primaries (K - 3) at one site, and the rest of the school (4 - 8) at another school. However, interestingly enough, we have still managed to make our mark with the cutting edge educational intiatives that we are doing. Many a board personality has come to learn from us - that is, if they can find us! Which drives home the point even further - we can have this amazing school, even without a building. The building doesn’t make the school - the people do!

I have an amazing program - I have high expectations, and believe that all my students are capable of achieving them. I work hard, and so do my kids, and it pays off. We are doing some amazing things this year. I do find, however, that I am very program focused - and do not offer myself a lot to extra-curricular activities. So last night was a real eye opener for me. I need to stop looking at these clubs, teams and events as extra - but as memory makers. It is these things that the kids will remember, not how good my math lesson was. They will take these experiences away with them. It may be the chance for them to shine, to find their calling or their true passion outside of academics - and isn’t that what teaching is all about? It is that ability to find something special deep within our students, and recognizing them for how truly amazing they are.

So, it is all about People and Programs.