Relationships
I always wanted to be a teacher!
A dance teacher to be exact. Until the age of sixteen my goal was to attend Ryerson in Toronto, open a dance studio and then immerse myself in a world that would find meaning within plies, arabesques and isolations. Looking back, I realize that I was seeking a profession that would allow me to be creative and cultivate the same love of dance, performance and growth within others. However, I drifted away from this goal, chose a different path and stopped nurturing any hope that I could become more than I was.
All great transformation start with an idea – a spark that ignites something more. For me, the idea that I could actually become a teacher was sparked by an educator that demonstrated the power of developing relationships with others. Brian Broome was the principal of my daughters’ school and our beginning relationship was that of parent and administrator. I volunteered regularly and over time came to admire how Brian cared for his staff, his students and his parent community. He was eager to dress up as a clown each year for the Santa Claus parade, acknowledged the efforts of each member of his community of learners and supported a mere parent volunteer, like myself, to explore creativity and innovation. Over time, this mutually respectful relationship laid the foundation for a conversation that would change the direction of my life.
Brian had recognized my passion for working with students, especially those with special needs. Mid-way through the year, he received news that he could hire a temporary educational assistant – five hours a week. He invited me into his office and shared with me that he wanted to give me this position. “But”, he said, “I don’t think that you should be an EA. I think you should be a teacher.” I was startled that someone who I admired as a leader could believe that I possessed that potential. It was then that I had to admit a truth that I was ashamed of. I had to tell him that I had no significant educational background. No college, no university, nothing. Rather than appear disappointed or judgemental he quickly replied, “Well, I guess you better get started”.
There have been many other mentors that have shaped and molded my educational journey, but it was Brian who sparked it. A journey that started with a seemingly simple conversation that prompted the enrollment in one course, then another, an undergraduate degree and then a Bachelor of Education. I never tire of sharing this narrative since it serves as a standing stone within my life. A reminder that investing in people comes before investing in things, the importance of nurturing the potential in others and the reality that one’s impact can create a ripple effect that is immeasurable.
Thank you Brian!
#get Relationships
As an educator, I have an amazing opportunity to build a wide range of relationships with students, parents, colleagues, volunteers, and community partners. These are the people who we are ‘doing life’ with. I believe strongly that building relationships with others needs to stem from an openness to invest in others – time, effort, resources, and talents.
As I begin to prepare for a new school year I ask myself:
What elements of my own life do I need to address, in order to be open to building new relationships?
How can I foster a culture and climate that allows others to build positive relationships?
Liz Anderson 