Day 10: Inspirational Colleagues

This quote really summed up my experience with this blog post. When I considered trying to choose just one inspirational colleague, I realized very quickly how fortunate I am. I have been surrounded, from the very beginning, with amazing colleagues who were willing to support, assist and teach me. If I can in any way consider myself a good teacher, these people deserve a lot of the credit (and all the remaining belongs to my amazing family!).

The following is a list of only a few who deserve this credit. I've chosen to reveal their initials only.

P.M. - This colleague showed me early on how great a school can be when we treat each other as family. When my first vehicle ('85 Plymouth Voyageur SE) died it's final death, he lent me his truck without prompting so I would be able to drive around that weekend and get a new car.

B.M. - He showed me the power of a strong relationship with students. I remember students stopping him in the street to tell him how much of a difference he had made in their lives. How he was the reason they were able graduate.

E.D. - I have never known a more critical thinker in my life. Seriously, this guy showed me how to think about everything. With thinking at the forefront we created amazing lessons and assessments together; we ever came up with, designed and built 2 Game-based Learning Units (1 of which he helped build after retirement!)

K.G.(W.) - There are some people who you just have to listen to. When this colleague channeled her righteous indignation or her fiery imagination I (and her students!) couldn't help but learn. She was the one who helped me realize the importance of the term "different not dumber" and convinced me that teaching could be more than just the way I'd been taught.

L.M. - Inspiration comes from vulnerability. This person allowed me to see that by being vulnerable herself. We spend hours of time talking about teaching and philosophizing about life. I can't count the amount of her time I must have wasted, but she's never made me feel like a bother. Through years of quiet talks about the possibilities that surround us in Education, this colleague helped me develop and refine my pedagogy in ways that I can't thank her for enough.

L.P. - Sometimes in life, we find those people with whom you just click. This colleague always made work feel like a home away from home. Her humour, her passion and her drive to be the best are outstanding. Her kindness, compassion and willingness to reach out to those around her are honed to a level that I strive daily to come close to.

J.K. - When I was in grade 5, an experience at school convinced me to keep my emotions hidden - just play it cool and nothing could bother me. Over twenty years later, this inspirational teacher showed me just how powerful a tool genuine emotions, interests and enthusiasm can be. Though younger than me to the profession, she was an inspiration to me every day we worked together and I still look to her as a role model.

Ultimately there are more who belong on this list. I have often imagined myself as a sponge trying desperately to soak up all the greatness that I've been blessedly surrounded by. If I missed you, I'm sorry. You are important too.

I am still privileged to be surrounded by greatness. My new role, school and colleagues have an amazing wealth of greatness and inspiration. I try desperately to absorb what I can and be worthy to be so close on a daily basis.