Hosting From Vimy to Juno

Canadian history is vast and full of amazing stories. As a history teacher, it can be challenging to bring these stories to life for our students, while helping them understand the scope and find meaning in these stories. My experiences with the Juno Beach Centre in France in 2015 provided with with a plethora of resources and professional connections to help with this endeavour and allowed me to build professional relationships with fellow educators from across Canada. It also provided me with opportunities to truly bring history to life in a hands on way.

One of these opportunities came in the form of hosting a traveling exhibit called From Vimy to Juno at my school this fall. This exhibit, produced by the Juno Beach Centre (JBC) chronicles the Canadian contributions to the First and Second World Wars. Through its excellent combination of images, storytelling and use of both primary and secondary sources, brings the story of World War I and World War II to life for audiences. The JBC also provides educators with curriculum based resources for students to guide their interaction with the exhibit.

As a teacher, it was a great to see the students throughout my school interact with the display and foster their learning and interest in history as a whole. Each group of students took something different away from the exhibit; some of them built on previous knowledge acquired in their history courses, some learned about WWI and WWII for the very first time.

The exhibit also allowed us to bring history to the wider community as the exhibit was opened to the public one weekend. We had two veterans, one of WWII, visit as well. It was a honour to have them with us that day and to interact with them in the context of the exhibit.

During the exhibit’s stay at our school, a student approached me to ask a question about Canada’s involvement with the Second World War and after I provided them with an answer to their question, the student looked at me and said, “So, history is pretty cool isn’t it?”

Yes. Yes it is. History is pretty cool.

It is also really important. It’s through our study of history that we begin to understand our past, learn from it and gain a deeper understanding of our modern world. Through studying history, we learn how to analyze, think critically, formulate well supported opinions, and draw conclusions. We also learn to develop an appreciation for those who came before us; not only for our veterans and our current service men and women, but for all those who sparked change in the past whether it be through war, or the fight for civil rights, women’s rights, or modern equality.

Studying History is not only “cool”, it’s also necessary.

Let’s continue to remember our stories, remember their sacrifices and pass the legacy on to our next generations.

Lest we forget.

Thanks to the Juno Beach Centre for providing the opportunity for students and teachers to learn about our history through the From Vimy to Juno exhibit. To learn more about the Juno Beach Centre, please visit them here

A Summer Travel Adventure

A wise friend once told me “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. Yet I often feel teachers try to do just that. Let’s face it: Teacher life can get busy. With the combination of delivering curriculum, paperwork, supervision, extra curricular activities, building relationships with our students and colleagues, it can often leave educators feeling exhausted at the end of the year and our “cups empty”.

Self care can be one of the biggest challenges for educators, and I know I have often struggled with the concept. It can be difficult to put yourself first when there are so many other things competing for your attention and energy. While I love my job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life, this summer was finally time to take off and do something just for me.

This is what motivated me to plan a European adventure and explore a part of the world I had been wanting to see for a long time. After doing research, reading reviewing, and looking at many options I decided to embark on a whirlwind tour of four different countries in two weeks. My adventure would start in London England, then to Paris France, before heading to Lucerne Switzerland and ending in Italy visiting Bergamo, Venice and Rome before heading home.

I had been to London and Paris before, and had very much fallen in love with both of these cities and was looking forward to returning, and I was beyond excited to visit Switzerland and Italy as I explored history and new landscapes.

Solo travel can be daunting, but I have traveled a few times on my own, meeting groups in new countries before, so I wasn’t worried as I headed to the airport in July and took off for London England. Afterall, I was meeting an escorted tour a few days after I arrived; so there really wasn’t anything to worry about. It was time for the adventure to begin.

After an overnight flight, an an adventurous airport transfer, I finally reached my London hotel on a Friday morning to drop off my bags and explore the city on my own for the day. Hopping on a bus, I ventured out to see and snap pictures of some of the major tourist sites in London including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral where I enjoyed lunch in the courtyard with many Londoners working in the nearby financial district. It was a lovely day wandering around London and ended with meeting a high school friend for drinks in a London Pub. It was great to catch up and enjoy a pint (or two) sharing stories and memories. The next day I joined a excursion organized by my tour company and met a few other travellers as we explore inside St.Paul’s and Kensington Gardens. The history of the city came alive again and again for me as I explored London. That night, as I met my fellow travellers as we cruised down the Thames River I drank in the final moments of my short London visit. As we snapped photos London from the river at sunset, I began to get to know some of my fellow travellers.

Westminster 

St. Paul's

The next morning as we headed to the famous Kings Cross Station (home of platform 9 ¾ from Harry Potter!) to board our train to Paris I had the opportunity to get to know even more members of our travel group, connecting with a few other teachers and making many new friends from across the United States. One of my favourite parts of international travel is the potential to meet and get to know new people; this trip was no exception as I had the privilege of meeting some amazing individuals who I now count as international friends.

Upon our arrival in Paris, we headed to the Eiffel Tower. It was a stunning sight to see it up close and an exciting experience to ascend to the middle deck and view Paris from the air. By a stroke of good luck, two of my new friends and I were gifted tickets to the uppermost deck of the Eiffel tower where we toasted our luck, and new friendship with a glass of champagne. Our Paris adventure continued as we took in Notre Dame and enjoyed a delicious French dinner in the shadow of the Basilica. The next day we explored the Louvre museum and took in some of the world’s most iconic pieces of art. It was exciting to see them up close and personal and to learn about the history of the individual works. I’ve always been fond of museums and galleries whether it be in my own backyard or in international neighbourhoods, it is an incredible opportunity for learning. 

Paris from the Eifel Tower

The Eifel Tower at Night 

Both London and Paris captured my heart during my first visits, and my second time visiting these cities were no exception. However, Switzerland and the town of Lucerne was simply otherworldly. As we travelled from France to the Swiss Alps, the views were stunning.

On our first day we took in the Lion Monument, a moving tribute to the Swiss Guards who gave their lives in the French Revolution. The passion with which this monument was created nearly radiated from it; it was almost as if visitors were feeling the history it capture standing in front of it. It was absolutely beautiful. 

The Lion Monument

Beauty isn't hard to come by in Lucerne. Everything appeared nearly postcard perfect; the world’s longest covered bridge, the lake in town, the towering mountains, it was all stunning. When we ventured to the top of Mount Pilatus, it was cloudy, but still amazing to climb to the top an explore in the fog. Coming down in the cable car, we were treated to some of the best views of God’s creation and it was maybe one of my favourite experiences of the trip. The more of the world I have the opportunity to explore, the more amazed I am at how incredible beautiful it is.

 

Coming Down Mt. Pilatus 

The World's Longest Covered Bridge

As incredible as Switzerland was, my time in Italy completely exceeded my expectations. Wandering around upper Bergamo and getting lost among the churches and medieval architecture was like stepping back in time. As our journey continued throughout Italy with a strop in Florence, I was again taken aback by the architecture of the Dome, the squares and the Ponte Vecchio. There were so many opportunities to take photographs and enjoy pizza and of course gelato.

Ponte Vecchio

Venice was a dream come true; ever since I was a child, I have been in love with Vivaldi and dreamt of going to Venice because of it. I wanted to see the city on stiles in the middle of the lagoon, and it did not disappoint. We took in a glass blowing demonstration, wandered the alleys and laneways, climbed St Mark's Campanile, ate gelato, and even drank champagne in a gondola as we saw Venice from the water. This was perhaps one of my favourite days we spent in Europe, the food, friendship and fun were unforgettable. 

Venice from the Water

Venice

As spectacular as Venice was, Rome was other wordly. A tour through the Vatican and St. Peter’s and later at the Coliseum was truly like walking in the footsteps of history. Standing at the top of the Coliseum looking down and back in time. As we wandered around Rome as saw all of the famous landmarks, it seemed surreal. I’ve seen or read about all of these places, but to actually stand in front of them was indescribable. 

The Trevi Fountain

The Coliseum 

As I flew home from Rome after the adventure of a lifetime, I was struck by how really amazing this experience had been. As great as visiting all of these history sights and experiencing new things had been, it was the friends I made that made the trip truly memorable. Getting lost with them, taking photos, spending the evenings wandering in town and chatting with them as we enjoyed drinks in the evening are some of my favourite memories from the trip. I was lucky to meet these incredible people from all across North American and am glad to still have a connection with them through social media.

Taking the summer for myself not only allowed me to experience new things overseas and enjoy learning in a whole new dimension, but it allowed me to return to school feeling rejuvenated and excited for the new school year. My cup is full, and I’m ready to embrace the new challenges of the school year.

I'm Possible! The Challenges of Learning to Run

“Nothing is impossible, for the word itself says ‘I’m Possible’”- Audrey Hepburn

This quote, which is often attributed to actress Audrey Hepburn, recently rang true in my own life when I embarked on a once seemingly impossible task.

Let me explain: One of my best friends is an accomplished runner; she has competed in several 5 and 10 KM events and even ran a half marathon a few years ago! Last summer I casually mentioned to her that I thought I would like to learn how to run, and then maybe, eventually do a 5 KM race at some point.

About a year ago I started walking regularly in my neighbourhood, causally on the weekends just for a bit of exercise. Then this fall I experimented a little with learning how to run using an app on my phone.

Turns out- Running is hard.

It seems like such a silly statement to make- running is hard- our bodies were built to move in this way, but learning how to do it- it really is quite challenging!

I tried for a while, but like I said, it was hard; so, I went back to mostly walking, all the while thinking to myself, “I wish I could be a runner”.

Then in early February I was visiting my friend, the runner, to celebrate my birthday. As a gift, she paid my entrance fee to the Forest City 5 KM race at the end of April. I was going to learn how to run, and she promised to help me, every challenging step of the way.

I was excited and nervous.

I had tried this (admittedly half-heartedly at first) and it had been hard. Never the less, I persisted and made a plan to start slowly with small intervals of running and walking and work up to the full 5 KM distance. It was a great plan; I had a friend who was going to get back into running and who would stick by me as I learned.

I set out with renewed enthusiasm and my first day I worked on walking for 90 seconds and running for a minute.

It seemed like the longest 60 seconds ever!

I struggled for a few weeks, working my way up to 2 minute intervals of walking and running (more of a slow motion jog for me really…)

Then life got busy. Work needed more of my attention, as did my responsibilities at home. I left on an extended trip to South America with my students in the middle of March and this interrupted my already sporadic training. Then I got home, looked at the calendar and realized- Race Day was a mere six weeks away!

Fear is a powerful motivator.

So is the prospect of public humiliation.

Getting ready for this seemed impossible.

But the truth is:  I’m Possible. 

I made a plan and scheduled in running sessions three times a week. I started out slowly again, 60 and 90 second intervals of walking and running. Then slowly move up towards two minutes intervals. After two weeks I completed my first 5KM of running/walking in a single session.

My time was slow.

 I mean really slow.

 But I did it.

Now I had something to compare it to and could challenge myself to improve each time I went out. Each day I got just a little bit better. It became just a little bit easier each run. A few seconds faster here, a few more the next time.

I actually thought “I could do this! I can be a runner!”

Then, three weeks before the race, I couldn’t do it anymore.

My legs hurt.

My shins were on fire.

I couldn’t run for more than 30 seconds without wanting to sit down and cry.

I felt frustrated and wanted to give up.

In the middle of a particularly bad run, I seriously thought about calling my friend to tell her I couldn’t do it and officially back out of this race. I didn’t want to disappoint her, but honestly, I thought, maybe I’m just not cut out for this.

Maybe I’m just not a runner…

I’m Possible.

I took a break for a few days.

 I called my friend, but didn’t back out. We talked. It helped.

 I bought new shoes.

I tried again.

I was slow, but I finished the 5KM distance.

My legs hurt.

Then I tried again, and got a little bit better. Each time I went out to practice that week I made small, tiny improvements.

The week before the race I was practicing on a tread mill and I had a great (for me) run! I felt empowered. I felt like I could do it.

Four days before the race I went for a practice run outside and I felt strong. I felt confident. I felt like I could really do this. I could be a Runner!

I went into the race weekend with a new mind set. This wasn’t for anybody else but me. I had nothing to prove to anyone. It didn’t matter if I came last place as long as I tried and finished. It was my first time running any kind of race or event, so whatever the result, it was going to be a personal best for me. I had my best friend next to me and I was excited to try something new. I was going to be a Runner!

Race day was cold.

When we arrived there were people everywhere. I was nervous, and excited, and cold, and hot all at the same time. As we lined up for the start of our race I forgot all the belief in myself from a few days earlier. I was just hoping I could make it across the finish line in one piece.

It was hard and I struggled.

Yet, every step of the way my friend was with my cheering me on, encouraging me. As we approached the final kilometer, my friend said to me, “we have meters now not kilometers”.

My friend is a much better runner than I am; she can run much faster and longer than I can, but she stuck with me.  I needed that reassurance and support as we made our way through the course and I am grateful to her for it.

Finally, after a long time and long, long after the first place finisher, we crossed the finish line.

I cried. Just a little bit.

I was overwhelmed with what I had accomplished and all the fear and doubt I had had leading up to the race, all the bad training days, were all behind me. The volunteers handed us medals and for the first time, I truly felt like a Runner.

Now to put this in perspective, my race was slow. It wasn’t pretty. I don’t have great form and I’m not fast.  I didn’t win anything, or come close to winning anything; and it was only 5KM.

But those 5KM were a victory for me.

They represented the culmination of a goal. In them was a lot of hard work for me personally, and a lot of effort towards something I wasn’t ever sure I would be able to do in my life. They proved to me that I was stronger than I thought, I was braver than I thought, and I was capable of achieving a personal athletic milestone.

I’m Possible.

I’m also a Runner.

Feeling accomplished after the race

I’ve fallen in love with the sport of running, and while I’ll never be a first place runner, I will be trying another race soon. Each time I practice or race, I’ll get a little better. I’m sure there will be good days and bad days; but, I’ve learned that working through it is worth it. I am proud of what I accomplished that cold day in April, and I was proud to have my best friend with me each step of the way. This is something I did only for me and it was great.

Thanks Kendra for being my inspiration and encouragement!

I encourage you to embrace a challenge, any challenge that’s set out before you. See what you can accomplish.

Find your own possibility.

Then- go for a run!

Changing Perspectives: Traveling to Ecuador with my Students

Perspective and how you see things can change your understanding of a situation, event or experience. The ability to see things from different perceptions is key not only in education, but in life. At times, it can be a challenge, for students, and teachers.  

Fifteen months ago, I answered a call to adventure and embarked on what I thought would be a once in a lifetime adventure to Ecuador on an educator’s scouting trip with Me to We (which you can read about here), yet this March I had a chance to shift my perspective on Ecuador, the Amazon and travel as a whole, as I took my students back to the Minga Lodge in the Amazon jungle for a March Break service learning trip.

As soon as I got home from my educator’s trip in January 2016, I knew I wanted my students to experience the Amazon and the amazing communities surrounding the Minga Lodge. The challenge of a build project combined with the cultural experiences would make for a unique, hands on, experiential learning opportunity for my students and I set about making that a reality. After a long year of planning, organizing, meetings, phone calls, emails and lists (so many lists!) I packed my bags and set off to the airport with 15 high school students and a fellow teacher for a week in the Amazon

It was an odd feeling of nerves combined with stress and excited anticipation as we waited to board our first plane- I couldn’t wait for my students to see and do all the things I was able to experience on my first trip, but I was also anxious about taking students all the way to South America.

 It is, after all, a long way from home.

After an exhausting day of traveling, we met our lovely facilitators on the ground in Quito and started our bus journey into the city- the next morning as we hopped back onto the bus the students were saying how beautiful Quito was, and I remember thinking, ‘just wait…” As we left the city, the students were greeted with a full view of Quito and the surrounding mountains, they were suitably impressed by its beauty. I felt the excitement rise inside as I couldn’t wait to continue to show them the beauty of Ecuador as we journeyed through the mountains and into the Amazon basin.

The beautiful city of Quito

Reaching the Amazon, our adventure truly began. The students enjoyed the canoe ride along the River and got settled into their rooms. They were excited to see the spectacular view, explore the grounds, and I was pleased to see some familiar faces of jungle guides and staff at the Minga- it felt like coming home and the staff made us all feel welcome.  We even got a fly by from my good friend Yolanda the parrot!

Yolanda visiting us at breakfast one morning

 And that sunset! I will never tire of it!

I had many proud moments as a teacher on this trip, but on our first day I was particularly impressed by my students as they engaged with the activities and learned about life while visiting a local fruit farmer. They planted Yucca and picked coffee, despite the rain. They asked insightful questions as we talked to Mr. Miguel.

 Over and over again, I was able to sit back and listen to my students as they made connections between their experiences at home and what they were learning first hand in the jungle. It was one of those teacher moments you’re sometimes lucky enough to have in a classroom where the lesson goes according to plan, the “light bulbs go off” and the students find these amazing teachable moments of authentic and insightful learning. The only difference here was we were thousands of kilometers away from home and our classroom was the jungle. It was experiential learning at its best.

The next day, we had the privilege of breaking ground on a new school room in a local community and again I found myself impressed with the work ethic my students brought to the project.  Despite the heat, they worked hard to turn the plot of land into holes for the foundation of a school room. They encouraged each other, shared responsibilities and really worked as a team. It was incredible to see the progress they made in just a few short hours of work.

As the week went on, I noticed more and more of these amazing moments among my students. They got their hands dirty planting Cocao beans, they learned to weave bracelets with the women’s artisan group and they cheered each other on during weapons training. They began to bond as a team and make connections with each other that I had never seen before in the classroom or hallways. They formed friendships that crossed grades and ages.

They became a cohesive unit.

Again and again I watched them step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves with new experiences. I watched them conquer fears, let their guards down, try new things, and reach new heights.

Again and again I watched them succeed.

I believe in the transformative nature of travel, but sometimes it's hard to recognize its impact until after the fact.

This time, I saw it happen in my students.

They grew as leaders.

They grew as students.

They grew as people.

At the end of the week I saw them differently.

I’ve always had confidence in my students, and have always held them to a high standard both in and out of the classroom. Even still, this team of amazing young people exceeded my expectations and made me even prouder to be their teacher throughout the trip.

I left a piece of my heart in the Amazon when I went home the first time in 2015. This year, I left a bigger piece of my heart in the jungle.

This team of young people changed how I think of Ecuador. They made me fall in love with the country in a whole new way.

  They changed my perspective of how I see myself as a teacher.

 They made me believe in new possibilities.  

They helped me see the world through a new lens and it looks like opportunity.

To learn more about Me to We and their service learning trips, check them out online.

Thanks to Me to We, their staff and the in country team for making this experience unforgettable for me and my students and for keeping us safe!

                                                                                                                                                     

Reflections for a New Year: My Top Ten Moments of 2016

Happy New Year! 2017 is just beginning and the future is spread out before us; a blank slate, an empty book to be filled with new ideas, thoughts and adventures.

I know that in popular culture, social media and even in social circles it has become almost “en vogue” to lament the negative aspects of 2016, with its plethora of losses, international conflicts and unforeseen political events…the past 12 months have certainly been perplexing at times. For me, these moments have fostered some positive and even challenging conversations among students, colleagues and friends alike.

I, like everyone, have faced personal challenges throughout the last year. Yet, as somewhat of an internal optimist, I choose to reflect on the past year and highlight some of my best moments of 2016 and share them here. In (mostly) chronological order, here are my “Top Ten Moments of 2016”.  

1.       Starting the New Year in Ecuador: I was lucky enough to spend a week in Ecuador and the Amazon Jungle with Me to We on an Educator’s scouting trip. (You can read about this adventure here.) We started 2016 by exploring the capital city of Quito. There were so many historical buildings, interesting Spanish Colonial architecture, and the market place to take in.  It was an amazing was to start the year and created the opportunity for me to bring my own students back to the Amazon jungle on a service learning trip in 2017.  I began the year determined to embrace new opportunities and accept challenges head on.

The view in Quito

2.       Theatrical Moments: Going to the theatre is something I’ve loved to do for years, but tickets are often expensive and finding the time can be a challenge. However, early in February of this year I was able to get front row tickets to the Mirvish production of “Kinky Boots” in Toronto and headed downtown for a theatrical evening with my sister. It was such an incredible show with a beautiful message of “be who you want to be”.  It was a message I tried to carry with me throughout the year and share with my students in the classroom. From the front row of the theatre you can see the orchestra pit, the legs of the stage and even the facial expressions of the talented actors. I left the show feeling engaged. Then later this fall I was able to see one of my favourite childhood novels come to life on the stage with the production of “Matilda.” Roald Dahl’s protagonist was my very first childhood literary hero and still ranks among my favourite novels. She taught me that smart girls could change the world for the better and the world of literature could open endless possibilities. Watching the show on stage transported me back to the magical innocence of childhood and reminded me of why English is one of my great academic loves.

3.       Niagara falls- Exploring the Wonders of the World in your Own Back Yard: In March my family and I headed to Niagara Falls for the day to explore with my young niece and nephew. I forget how majestic Niagara Falls is and the fact that we have one of the wonders of the world essentially in our backyard is something many people in the GTA take for granted. It was a great family adventure and a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality of time with my niece and nephew. As we walked along the falls view path, we talked about everything from how electricity works to international borders. Capitalizing on teachable moments when they arise in organic ways is part of lifelong learning, not to mention a great chance for me to get to know more about them and their own curiosities. Learning can take place anywhere and anytime. This little adventure was a good reminder of that.

The wonder of the natural world

4.       From Vimy to Juno- Canadian History: Traveling to France in the summer of 2015 changed the trajectory of my teaching career for the better together with deepening my understanding of Canadian history as a whole. In March I was privileged to attend the opening of the From Vimy to Juno exhibit at Casa Loma in Toronto. Together with veterans, current service men and women and the minister of Veterans affairs, I was able to see the exhibit and learn more about the Canadian contributions throughout WWI and WWII. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and support to amazing work of the Juno Beach Centre in preserving the legacy of Remembrance.

Casa Loma for the Vimy to Juno Exhibit

5.       Adventures at Boldt Castle- Exploring Beyond our Borders: In August I met my parents in Kingston and spent several days with them on their boat exploring the St. Lawrence Seaway. We traveled across the international border into the United States and cruised down to Boldt Castle a gilded aged architectural phenomenon of the early 20^th century. Together with my parents, I explored the grounds, the boat house, the play house and the castle itself. It was beautiful and the history behind it was amazing. I had never studied much history from this era, however, it was intriguing and gave me a new perspective of the historical importance of the Thousand Island region.

Boldt Castle from the Water

6.       We Day- Finding Inspiration in a Canadian Icos: This fall found my students and I at WE Day once again celebrating the hard work in making global and local change in the world. Among the amazing performers, there was YouTube sensations Lilly Singh who had a powerful message of anti-bullying and Connor Franta who talked about LGBTQ+ advocacy. Yet, one of my favourite and most impactful performances came from Canadian icon Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip as he sang a track from his album “The Secret Path” about the life and death of Chanie Wenjack. Through this performance, Downie spread a powerful message about the importance of Truth and Reconciliation. This was the first time many of my students had heard about Canadian Residential schools and it provided some opportunities for dialogue about the dark moments of Canadian history and how we can work together to achieve reconciliation. It was an emotional moment for me as a Canadian and an educator, but a good reminder that the difficult conversations with students are sometimes the most important ones to have.

Gord Downie at We Day 2016

7.       Cuts for Cancer- A Hair Raising Event: About a year and a half ago I decided to grow my hair for the purpose of hosting a “hair cutting” fundraising at school in support of the Canadian Cancer Society and our school’s Relay for Life team. Our students have attended the annual event for years, and cancer is a disease that has touched so many Canadians personally. I lost an uncle to cancer several years ago. I’ve been involved with the school’s relay team for many years and was looking forward to supporting the team in this way. Two other teachers at my school agreed to shave their heads in support of the cause while I cut about 30 centimeters of my hair to donate it to the Beautiful Lengths program which provides wigs for women fighting cancer. Students and staff raised money, and we held a BBQ lunch before the staff cut their hair publically in front of the whole school. It was one of my favourite events we’ve held as our whole school rallied together to raise a significant amount of money for the Relay Team. I left school that day sporting not only a new haircut, but pride in my school community for their support of such a great organization. It made me feel good knowing that something as simple as a haircut has the potential to make a difference in someone else’s life.

8.       Random Acts of Kindness: This December, my youth group kids and I completed a variety of “Random Acts of Kindness” to make the holiday season a little more kind for everyone in our community. These surprise acts of kindness ranged from shoveling a neighbour’s driveway to providing a treat for someone. It was a fun way to brighten someone’s day throughout the sometime dark days of December. Kindness is something the world could use more of, and this was an easy way to add a little more kindness into the world. Plus it was fun finding creative ways for “kindness sneak attacks”.

9.       Exploring your Own Backyard: Quite recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Aquarium in Toronto with friends of mine and their toddler daughter. While it would have been an incredible experience all on its own, exploring the underwater world housed in the aquarium with and, seeing it through the eyes of a toddler was amazing! She was thrilled with so many of the creatures and it was hard not to get caught up in her enthusiasm. There is a whole wide world swimming around underwater and getting a glimpse into it via the aquarium was intriguing. It was a great way to end the year.

A glimpse into the underwater world

10.   Family, Friends and the Future: I’ve been blessed with an amazing family and incredible friends in my life. Together we have weathered storms this year, celebrated milestones and created memories. Each day I’m grateful for the wonderful people I have in my life and as I sit on the cusp of a New Year, I’m excited to see what new adventures 2017 will bring. Here’s to a whole year of possibilities…

Remembering Beaumont Hamel 100 years later

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”- Laurence Binyon

Over the past 100 years, countless Canadian soldiers and service men and women have laid down their lives for Canadians to protect our ideas and provide us with a peaceful and free nation to call home. They fought in muddy fields and on beaches in France. They fought in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and in foreign lands of the Pacific islands. They’ve fought international conflicts in remote deserts and aimed to keep the peace in unfamiliar lands.

It is our responsibility as Canadians, and for me, as a teacher, to make Remembrance a part of our regular daily practices both personally and in the classroom.

On July 1^st of this year Canadians all across this great country celebrated Canada's 149th birthday, yet in Newfoundland, they celebrated a different, more somber anniversary.  100 Years ago, on July first, 1916, Newfoundland was not part of Canada as they had not yet joined Confederation. Instead, they were still a colony of England and therefore fought alongside them in the First World War just as the young dominion of Canada did.

The Royal Newfoundland regiment was a source of great pride for the province of Newfoundland, boasting several hundred men from the little island. On July 1, 1916, members of the Newfoundland regiment went over-the-top at Beaumont Hamel and straight into German machine gun fire.

The resulting battle was full of chaos and confusion. Members of the Newfoundland Regiment were unsure of their objective and their rifles were no match for the powerful German guns. Unprotected in No Man’s Land, confused and alone, those brave soldiers who did not succumb to machine-gun fire met at the danger tree, the lone tree in the middle of the open space between trenches. Here at this tree, they regrouped and decide whether or not to push on towards the German trenches or to return to the safety of their own.

Of the over 800 Newfoundland men who went over-the-top that day, only 68 answered roll call the next morning.

The regiment was decimated.

The fear these boys must have felt is incomprehensible to me. Even standing in the middle of that same field last summer, I couldn’t quite grasp the magnitude of what had occurred there all those years ago.

 

Trying to make these numbers a reality for my students this fall as we explore the First World War was also a challenge. Slowly but surely as we investigated the lives of some of the men who fought and died at Beaumont Hamel, they began to realize the true sacrifice they soldiers made all those years ago.

On the site of Beaumont Hamel today stands a monument dedicated to the brave men of the Newfoundland regiment. The names of the fallen and missing are inscribed on the monument and the Newfoundland stag, the emblem of their regiment, stands proudly atop the monument ever looking towards home and as a reminder of those who never made it back home.

On July 1^st, on Remembrance Day, today, and everyday Canadians will remember their sacrifice. This November, invite you to wear a poppy, thank a veteran, and remember their sacrifice.

Lest We Forget. 

Reflections on Ecuador- Me to We Travel Experience

When opportunity knocks, it is sometimes difficult to answer the door. Often there are things that stand in the way: reservations, cost, timing, fear; the list goes one. Yet, if you can look past the obstacles and take a leap of faith (or even a small hop as the case may be) you may get to experience one of the most amazing opportunities of your lifetime. You may even find that you can help change the world.

This is the situation I found myself in last November when I was invited to be a part of a Me to We educator’s scouting trip to Ecuador and the Amazon rainforest. When I first read the email on a Friday afternoon, my initial thought was, “that would be cool, but I could never do that” followed closely by, “it must cost a lot of money” and finally, “there are spiders in the Amazon…”

Despite the reservations I had about the trip, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head, so Sunday afternoon, I replied to the email and after a Monday morning telephone conversation, I was ready to pack a bag and head to South America. Now I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some anxieties about traveling to another continent and stepping way out of my comfort zone, but I can honestly say, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life! 

Our journey to the Amazon began in Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, where I met the three other Canadian teachers I would be traveling with. I arrived to the hotel in Quito very late (or early depending on your frame of mind) and had time for a quick nap before meeting the rest of the team for breakfast and boarding the bus for the six hour journey to the Amazon. While the bus ride was long, the scenery was beautiful. As we drove through the mountains and the cloud forest, we crested the highest point of our journey at just over 4000 meters above sea level. The views are stunning at this vantage point.

Halfway through our journey to the Amazon we stopped in a little town to eat. The restaurant is a pizzeria set against a picturesque back drop. The man who runs the restaurant was originally from the Netherlands and moved to Ecuador. He built the restaurant himself and it was beautiful. The food was delicious and we even saw several hummingbirds. Staring out into the incredible landscape, it was the first time it hit me- I was in South America and headed to the actual rainforest! The whole thing seemed completely unreal.

A few hours later, we reached the Amazon River, and our team could hardly contain our excitement. We boarded our motorized canoe and shortly arrived at our home for the next few days- the Minga Lodge. In rural Ecuador, teamwork is an important part of daily life; citizens band together to complete community wide projects. These vary from building schools or homes, to planting and harvesting crops. It is this sense of community support that the Minga lodge takes its name. Minga, in the native language actually means collaborative work, or reunion of friends.

The lodge itself is beautiful; nestled inside the lush rain forest, visitors are surrounded by the diverse flora and fauna. The view from the open air dining room was spectacular as it overlooks the Amazon River and in the late afternoon you can see the sun set across the water. The accommodations were also impressive; the cabins were comfortable and safe. Each bed has its own mosquito net and there was even a hammock on the balcony where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest.

It was an odd sensation that first night in my cabin. The usual sounds of home, the QEW traffic, and city noise were absent. They were instead replaced by a cacophony of jungle noises, birds singing, animals chattering away in the tree tops, even a short little rain shower. Although it was a new type of noise, it had a peaceful and calming effect.

Our first day in the Amazon was also our first day in the local community where we would be working alongside community member on the construction of a new school room. Before we got to work, we toured the community to learn what life was like for the people living there. The school in this community served children from all over the region, some traveled up to four hours each way to school and were required to live in the dorms during the week. As a teacher, this provided a stark contrast to our Canadian school systems.  Students in the Amazon were so dedicated to their studies and determined to attend school that some of them came from across the Napo River, traveling several hours through jungle to learn. These students had to make significant sacrifices to obtain their education. I certainly admired their commitment to their studies. It also threw into focus the things we take for granted here in Canada and made me appreciate my short commute to my own classroom back home.

Before we got to work on the building project, we reviewed safety procedures and ensure everyone understood the instructions provided to us by our Ecuadorian foreman.  One of the things that really sets the WE community projects apart from other humanitarian build organizations is that they work with the community to determine their specific needs and then employ community members to oversee and support the projects on the ground. In fact, the community itself is responsible for raising a portion of the funds for the build through government grants and other means. The community decides which area has the greatest need- education, sanitation, sustainable income, agriculture or medical- and then they select the project to begin.

On the build site, our team was responsible for sifting sand to make cement. This was a challenge, but our coordinator was sure to remind us to take regular breaks for water and to pause if our bodies were telling us to. It was a tough adjustment to make, working in the heat and humidity of the Amazon while balancing the exertion of physical labour. Regular hydration was key and we always had plenty of drinking water on hand. Many of the community members were working right alongside us as we sifted sand and they laid bricks. Many of the mothers from the community came out to help us and had their babies slung on their backs in wraps. It was truly a community wide project, and even thought it was during the holidays, people still came to help every day. It was a privilege to work alongside these people and to help provide their community’s students with a new classroom.

On our last day on the build site we had a chance to play some games with some of the community members. The children taught us how to play a game called Ecua-Volley Ball. Now I’m not an athletic person by nature, but the children were kind and patient as they taught us how to play, even if we did make several mistakes. I was struck by their patience and their willingness to let us participate in their games, even when we didn’t understand the rules. When another group of volunteers from a different team arrived in the community, we all joined together to play a massive game of soccer. Whether standing on the sidelines cheering, or in the thick of the game, it was a great way for us to bond as a team and get to know the members of the community better. Regardless of the geographical location, and language barriers, students of all ages simply love to play!

My team also had a chance to explore some of the other local communities during our week in the Amazon.

We traveled to a cocoa farm and learned about the various forms of cocoa, and which companies buy which quality of beans. We also got to help mix soil to plant a new cocoa tree and learned the complex process of cultivating the desired trees to improve the yield of the fruit and quality of product in the end. We even met a new friend.

In the end we got to take some cocoa beans home to the lodge with us where we made chocolate from scratch. As it turns out, chocolate starts off as a fruit. Learning about the cocoa production gave me a new appreciation for fair trade products, and when it came time to buy treats to bring home, we sought our fair trade chocolate and coffee. It might seem like a little thing we can do as consumers, but it makes a big difference to the farmers who benefit from fair trade consumption.

We also visited a local fruit farmer and learned about the different types of fruit he grew and the challenges he faced in farming. One of the most significant challenges was the quest for clean drinking water. It was just days before our visit that he had finally received access to clean drinking water via a newly installed pipe system. He took us on a hike through the jungle to show us where the spring was he used to collect water from. We carried empty jugs and helped him dig out the overgrowth that was clogging the spring. Then he patiently waited for the clear water to begin flowing before showing us how to fill up the jugs. We struggled to hike back to his home, where we filtered the water. As we worked to obtain the water, the farmer told us how the spring actually flowed from the Amazon River itself, and thus wasn’t always a clean source of water. In fact, one of his children had caught a parasite from drinking the water, and died as a result. Never before has clean drinking water seemed like such a luxury to me.  I have the advantage of accessing clean drinking water at any time, yet at any given moment, there are people, even in Canada who don’t have access to clean drinking water. And that just isn’t right.

Our final community visit took us to a woman’s artisan group. These women are simply incredible. They were drawn together by their mutual desire to seek out opportunities for themselves and their children. The wealth of knowledge these women have about the nature that surrounds their community is astounding. They taught us how to make string out of a plant that is commonly found in the jungle. They scraped off the outside, wove it together and dyed it using natural colouring they also found in the jungle. They then use the fiber they created to make jewelry from natural materials. I carry the yellow string I got to make with them in my glasses case as a reminder to challenge myself to see the world around me differently and to look for new opportunities in my life. That is one of the most valuable lessons these women taught me- find the opportunity where it looks like none exist.

A serious problem they had in their community was litter. The woman’s artisan group got together with the children at the school and decided to do something about it and to make their community cleaner. They installed garbage cans at the school and the students put their snack wrappers in these bins. This all but eliminated the litter problem in the school yard, but what the women did with these wrappers is truly remarkable. The women collect the chip and cookie bags, then they cut them open, wash them thoroughly and then use the plastic foil to weave shopping bags, wallets and pouches.  They saw a problem in their community, found a solution and then discovered a way to upcycle material to financially support themselves.

Our team enjoyed shopping for jewelry and items made by these talented artisans. Each time I wear my bracelets I bought that day, I’m reminded of what sustainable income means to these women and how being self-sufficient and financially independent can open doors and create opportunities that may not exist for them otherwise.

Spending time in the Amazon opened my eyes. It taught me that opportunity is everywhere if you look for it, and if you’re brave enough, seizing these opportunities can change your life and the lives of those around you.  What will your next opportunity to make a difference in the world look like? Where will you find your next opportunity for adventure and good work?

 If you’d like to learn more about Me to We travels, please visit www.metowe.com. There are great travel opportunities for students and the staff at Me to We are excellent and will help your organize a trip for your school. Special thanks to Me to We for hosting our team on the tour and for ensuring an amazing and safe experience. I look forward to returning to the Amazon with my students next year.