The People I Work With

This will be a short post. Really, what is there to say? The year is nearly done, and as much as how I want to drift off into the summer, I am sitting in the Calgary airport realizing that I will truly miss their professionalism, spirit, and varied personalities.

We just got back from an amazing professional development session in California, and the nine of us really had a great time. And what a diverse group of people. What learning and growth. And that being said, one of our nine will be moving to a new school next year; this experience won't ever happen again the same way.

Soon I will be plugging away at a timetable, working out the kinks, and will be thinking back to this evening. We're tired but happy, and are invigorated to do the best we can for kids in the classroom.

I can't think of a better place to work, or people to work with.

Henry Rollins and Education

A colleague of mine and I went to go see Henry Rollins speak on Monday night. The audience was eclectic to say the least: young people, hipsters, punks, metal heads, people with their kids, older people, and a few greyhairs. And of course at least three educators (that I knew personally), including myself. I wish there had been more.

Henry was in fine form. Sweat beading as he spouted off articulate and satirical commentary, he spoke of growing old, the importance of doing the right things, fighting the good fight, working with National Geographic, his punk rock background, and inspiring youth to invoke positive change. Without taking as much as a water break for the entire two hours and forty-five minutes he spoke, he captivated me.

I am always moved by people who are passionate about their calling in life. Being in education, I've heard many speakers who commented on why they do what they do; few have inspired me as Henry Rollins has. And he's not an educator... At least in what people would think of in the traditional sense. He has a grade twelve education, dresses like a punk Johnny Cash (ie. all in black), and has had a colourful background involving drugs, music, and murder (well, at least witnessing one close hand). But in the sense of being someone who, for the past 30 years, has had youth look up to him and find true guidance and inspiration, he's an educator in the highest degree.

Henry spoke mostly of doing good things with your life. He spoke passionately about trying to make a positive difference. And he spoke about the importance of doing this with young people.

As I sit here, a few days later, this has really resonated with me. Henry told stories, the kind of stories that I can relate to as a previous alternative ed teacher - stories of suicidal kids, of depressed kids, of vulnerable kids. He stressed the need for adults (read: educators) to give honest and direct advice to really help. To honestly help. Not the kind of tripe that people want to hear, or the kind of advice that we think we should say given a set of circumstances. When kids come to us, often it's because they don't have anyone else they trust. It matters what we say and do. It can make the difference.

Anyway, I wish Henry Rollins could keynote my next District professional development summer institute. It would ruffle a few feathers, but I guarantee it would cause some meaningful reflection and would bring about change. Isn't that what Mr. Rollins has always done?

 

First Post - The Life Aquatic

Well, it's my first blog post. It's been the kind of month where there has been so much to reflect on, some real opportunities for growth, and some real frustrations. Now, that's no different than any school administrator that I know - but I have the luxury of working with a team that I value and deeply respect. I feel like we're part of a caring but dysfunctional family who tries way too hard sometimes.

I watched The Life Aquatic (a really under-appreciated Wes Anderson film) tonight. Odd segue, I know. I can really relate to the film's tortured, yet likable, protagonist, Steve Zissou. Bill Murray's genius aside, his character is conflicted on many levels, and he's someone you just want to cheer for, if you can see the good in him. Despite suffering tragedy, the death of his best friend, a broken marriage, a man who may-or-may-not be his son arriving on his doorstep, having to deal with porates, and chronic underfunding for his deep-sea-adventure films, he holds it together. He really is the epitome of resilience. He has his vices and flaws too, but I tend to overlook these and choose to see the best in him.

"Remind me. We'll send him a red cap and a speedo."

Steve tends to look to the best in his team too. His crew is a real bizarre group of musicians, journalists, biologists, interns, and friends with no discernable, useful skillset at all. At least for an oceanic voyage. Despite this, his crew just works... And he never gives up on them.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go on an overnight drunk, and in ten days I'm going to set out to find the shark that ate my friend and destroy it."

I guess that's what I like about Steve. No matter how much of a disaster he is, he believes in his crew and they trust him, no matter the situation. The desire (at least at first...) to kill the elusive, friend-eating shark aside, I kind of want to be more like Steve. Spoiler alert - he doesn't actually kill the shark.. In case that was something that people were worried about.

This all fits with the Appreciative Leadership model that I try to follow in my school. Although it can be hard sometimes, seeing the best in people (and in artsy movie protagonists) is the only way to foster growth. Like with many people who disliked The Life Aquatic, who wrote it off because Steve seemed to be such a despicable character, many people write off their co-workers and judge them by what they superficially dislike, rather than choosing to seek out the positive qualities that exist. It just takes a little looking. To see the best in the people I work with every day is something I take pride in, and although no one would want me in a speedo and a toque, I feel a little like a member of Team Zissou every time I do it.

All I need is the matching, limited-edition Adidas.