What does it really mean?
As each injustice takes hold we see organizations apologizing and often professing regret for those that came before — those who caused the harm. Perhaps there has been some level of accountability but accountability can be defined so broadly. What I have learned is that it should be defined and named by those who have been harmed. …
I am jarred awake between 2:00 and 3:00 am each morning. There is a feeling that lingers and it dissipates as I try to understand it — like a dream. I am trying to hold on to but rather than wanting to hold on; I am desperate to understand it. It could be any number of things — the angst that surrounds us now, the unknown, the fear, the illness, the loss — it is pervasive. But this morning, it holds on a little longer than usual and finally, there is clarity. It is my father. I am losing him.
…
Bring Back You
Today mommy asked me to listen to this song. As you slept in the background, mommy and I listened to the song and cried together because although we have our memories, you are losing yours and no matter how hard we try to bring you back, we see you fading before us.
Each time mommy would rouse you and you would say hello to me. She must have tried to wake you up four or five times in the space of one short call. As soon as mom and I engaged in conversation, you would fall asleep. It reminded…
Critical Knowledge Building
When I was a relatively new teacher, I worked in a school, well more specifically in a portable, where 80% of my students were English Language Learners. They, in many cases, spoke multiple languages. At the time, I was completing my Masters of Education and the focus of my thesis was to modify the curriculum for these students…not modify in the special education sense where they have reduced or altered expectations, but modify in the way that we now call Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy. This was in 1996. As a new teacher, I didn’t necessarily have the language to…
The Posturing and Performance of Antiracism Work
Years ago I lost a student. She had been ill but I never thought it would happen…it broke me. The day before she passed, there was a run at our school and she had had a seizure a few days before and couldn’t run. Each time she had a seizure she would lose more function — this time it was not only strength but voice. She stopped speaking. We sat on the bench and watched the students run around the pond. We didn’t speak but gazed at each other. She had the softest most beautiful smile. I think of that…
It was a week ago, or maybe three months ago…
Relaying any story seems to start like that…it happened a couple weeks ago, or maybe a few months ago…I am still not sure. Time has lost its meaning. We are almost at a year since the Pandemic started in this part of the world and many of us have been reflecting on this year, what might have been, and how to move forward. In the new year, I came across the article from Austin Kleon, Circular time vs. linear time and it began a journey for me to try to understand how time has changed during the pandemic?
Kleon writes…
In a world where there is no such thing as neutral
The story of resumés, trying to get noticed and connection
I graduated from the Faculty of Education at York University in 1994. I applied to the program three times before acceptance. For someone who had wanted to be a teacher my entire life, I didn’t know what to do to get noticed, stand apart and be seen. Friends of mine all seemed to be getting into the Faculty and for many, it was a, “well I don’t know what to do so I may as well” kind of thinking. For me, I knew it was my purpose.
After three attempts, I finally got into York. I graduated top of…
