I was never a good student.
I can remember habitually being late for classes all through high school and university, always sitting way in the back and daydreaming a lot about having super powers rather than listening to the lesson.
But I was very fortunate that a couple notable teachers took an interest in me academically just the same, and both supported and inspired me to pursue a career as a writer. In high school it was Mr. Brown, who saw that despite not really applying myself as a student elsewhere, I actually excelled in his English class.
So, while the other students had to follow the class curriculum and read the designated books for reports, I was allowed to spend the period in the library and choose whichever books I wanted to cover. He encouraged me to read more Shakespeare and the classics. He made me feel like I wasn’t just a face in the halls, but someone with a talent for language.
I earned an award for English the year I graduated — as well as a new reputation and nickname as a “bookworm” and “nerd” from some, which I wore (and still wear) with pride.
In university it was Ms. Powers. She taught a Gothic Literature course, and didn’t just assign us things to read and reports to do, but actually showed us how to read things critically and get more out of literature. She was one of the first people to ever tell me I had “talent” and assured me I would do well as a writer, if that was what I wanted.
Thanks to those teachers, I found my “bliss” as a wordsmith.
My 11-year-old daughter hasn’t found what her own “bliss” is yet, but she has had the good fortune of having some great teachers already at Mamquam Elementary.
In kindergarten, much to my astonishment, she came home knowing all about famed painter Jackson Pollack, and through the years has been encouraged in art, music and — like her old man — writing.
On Monday, her teachers are taking part in a rotating strike following 16 months of fruitless negotiating with the government for better class sizes, composition, support and wages. It’s a battle the sides have been waging for years now, and one I feel is pretty important. These folks work hard, not only cramming knowledge into our kids’ heads, but they are also responsible for helping them develop their moral compasses and find their place and bliss in the world.
So I say give Sea to Sky teachers your support on Monday, not because you think they deserve more, but because you think our children do.
