School's Out For The Summer

The familiar refrain "school's out for the summer" made famous by the popular anthem by the same title is no doubt forever associated in the west with the roughly two month break that students and teachers take from the regular rhythm of the school year during the summer months of parts of June, July, and August. Yet, what does this welcomed break really signify? Is the time spent idly as the song implies? Do teachers spend every available moment planning new and inventive ways to inspire, organize, and teach their students? I suspect that the answer lies somewhere in between at that elusive point known as balance.

Personally I very much enjoy the change of pace. Normally I have been engaged in some capacity or other related to summer school teaching, coaching, or working at camps. For a teacher this may not seem all that different from the routine of school, but it is- for me, at least. Routines are different, dress more casual, and even the teaching and learning takes on a different hue. In some ways, because of the more relaxed nature of the interactions, the teaching became more personalized and the learning, deeper. As well, summer offers time for reflection and time to take care of individual needs whether they be physical, social, or spiritual in nature. Without sounding too deep, it allows for time to go for a run, eat more intentionally, and spend time in natural settings.

Similarly, summer offers time for professional balance to take place as well. Time permits course work, professional reading, and personal reflection to take place. For me, there is nothing better than the opportunity to pick up a book that has professional and personal impact, and to read it at a leisurely pace. So far this summer it has been The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg. The well-written tract has implications for building positive classroom routines as well as helpful and healthful personal habits. Despite being on holiday I have been rising at 6 a.m. daily and following a routine that has been personally rewarding and quite productive. In essence I have been adhering to the habit loop outlined in the book: cue (gentle awakening alarm), routine (meditation, reading, exercise) and most importantly, reward (healthy food, morning coffee). Next week I embark on a professional development course in which I look forward to deepening my understanding of leadership at independent schools. The challenge will be to keep the routines going as it is a residential program. A gentle ring tone from the cell phone, a shorter morning routine, and a mid-morning coffee break should do the trick. I also look forward to renewing friendships, acquaintances, and international relationships that have developed over the years. Who really believes that "school's out for the summer"?

A Tale of Two Cities

Recently I had the opportunity to visit the cities of Toronto and Montreal- two of Canada's most historic and pre-eminent cities. Denizens of Halifax and Vancouver may take exception to that statement, but the east and west coast sites play a different role in the Canadian dynamic. Less than six hours apart by highway, central Canada's two largest cities are pivotal to the economic, political, and cultural milieu of the nation. They are a study in contrasts though. Toronto is a magnet to the multicultural fibers that run through Canada, attracting new immigrants, and the ambitious from all walks of life. While it is a diverse city, the common thread is the ability to function in English. It is the lingua franca (common language) that connects all people and cultures despite the variety of ethnicities. There are no doubt many of its inhabitants who have a second language capacity, but it cannot be guaranteed to be French, one of Canada's two official languages.

By contrast, arriving in Montreal one is immediately aware of the dual language capacity of this unique city. Over the airwaves, on the advertising signs, and in the everyday chatter, the city expresses its bilingualism in a variety of forms. The French language presence is obvious and the city embodies the francophone with ease. It also accommodates those of us who are primarily English-speaking. Yet, I find that whenever I am in Montreal I feel compelled to try my luck at French. To be sure, I mangle the grammar and test the resolve of even the most patient shopkeeper, but invariably I am indulged and the communication gap is bridged. It is always reassuring to know that even if I can't communicate clearly in French, the average Montrealer will be able to communicate in English. This fact alone compels me to want to develop my own language skills further, and makes me proud to live in a country that at least attempts to be bilingual, if only in name rather than numbers.

C'est la vie.