So many communities seem to be in turmoil right now. Families. Schools. Neighbourhoods. Cities. Countries. The whole world is turning inside out, perhaps more visibly than ever before. When I see these struggles, I always take comfort in information. I read. I listen. I talk. And right now, I wonder, “Where are the Thinkers?” WhereContinue reading “Have We Lost Our Way?”
Author Archives: outofthewell99
Building Maps
I have two sons, both of whom are good at math. One is in grade five and at the top of his math class. The other would be in grade eight, except that he is freelancing his education this year, taking a break from the standard school setting. His grade seven math teacher said heContinue reading “Building Maps”
A Case Against Punishment
Imagine the following scenarios: A six-year-old child is fooling around and breaks a family heirloom. A grade five student repeatedly talks back to the teacher when corrected for disruptive behaviour. A high school student regularly skips English class. A 20-year-old steals a car as part of a gang initiation. A 38-year-old new parent leaves theContinue reading “A Case Against Punishment”
Game Changer Books
I read a couple of game-changing books this year. In the fall, while awaiting COVID results in isolation from my family, I read Untamed, by Glennon Doyle. In a series of vignettes, she explores how we become caged by society’s expectation, and how she found her way out of her own cages to create aContinue reading “Game Changer Books”
Lessons from 2020
Well, it’s been quite a year! It’s been a year like no other for me, both personally and professionally, and also an unprecedented year for the rest of the world. COVID-19 has derailed the lifestyles that we knew. In its wake, we are left with changed priorities, skills, and understandings. We have learned about ourselves,Continue reading “Lessons from 2020”
Untamed Words
I just recently read a book that may have changed my life. Untamed, by Glennon Doyle, is an incredible call to the wild roots of your inner self. It says that we all have the right, or moreover, the OBLIGATION to take up space in the world, and to live our one life according toContinue reading “Untamed Words”
Orange Shirt Day
On September 30th, we wear orange in recognition of all of the Indigenous children and youth who endured residential schools in Canada. We acknowledge our mistake as a nation in trying to force Indigenous people to assimilate, and apologize for the methods used to ‘educate’ them. We listen to the pain of survivors and theirContinue reading “Orange Shirt Day”
An Open Letter on Re-opening Plans
First of all, thank you. Thank you to our leaders, who have worked tirelessly to learn about this new threat to society, to seek out and follow sound medical advice, and to explore creative ways to keep us safe. I am cautiously optimistic about the upcoming school year. In Ontario, we have done a fantasticContinue reading “An Open Letter on Re-opening Plans”
Dystopian Vision of Fall Education
As part of the response to my idea of lessening curriculum expectations to allow a mental health focus this year, it was suggested I write to the Globe. I read their requirements and decided I needed to present the information differently. Here is what I sent. This is my dystopian vision of what this fallContinue reading “Dystopian Vision of Fall Education”
Possibilities for School Re-Opening: A Letter
COVID has been hard. It has isolated individuals and families. It has closed businesses and shattered dreams. It has interrupted commerce, education, faith communities, sports, and social interaction. People are tired. We are frustrated. We are fearful and anxious about the future. But there are positives to this situation – silver linings of sorts. ManyContinue reading “Possibilities for School Re-Opening: A Letter”
Out of the Well 