Often when things get busy and feel overwhelming, I find myself reading or, in this case, rereading essays from people I find inspirational.
One author I admire is Margaret Wheatley, whom I had the immense luck to hear speak at an ATA curriculum event several years ago. As I sat down and found myself once again leafing through her writing, I came across a quote that captured my present sentiment: “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
We have seen our communities come together in times of trouble and rally around those who need support time and time again. Unfortunately, we have also seen the opposite occur when people fail to seek to understand the positions of others. The world can be a pretty hard place sometimes, which is even more reason to resist divisiveness and look for what we have in common.
Over the last several weeks, I have been travelling across the province attending ATA and education partner events. At these events, I was witness to people who share common values when it comes to public education and the greater good. At the Rally for Respect in October, I saw several Alberta unions joining voices to demand respect for their work and fair bargaining. Later in the month, I proudly stood with my colleagues at a rally in support of our trans youth, their families and their rights. At the ATA’s public lecture featuring Margaret Atwood, I heard the cheers and applause as a community showed their support and gratitude for teachers.
But Jason, these events are disparate, you say? What do they have in common, you wonder?
As I looked at all the faces in these crowds, I saw passion and concern. I saw hope and worry and a desire to connect and find communities of support.
As teachers, we belong to a large, diverse and beautiful community, one that day in and day out works to make a positive difference. We are a community that knows that you need to fight for what is right—what is right for the teaching profession, for public education and for our students. It is what we care about.
Wheatley reminds us, “Relationships are all there is. Everything in the universe only exists because it is in relationship to everything else. Nothing exists in isolation.” We are unstoppable when we come together.
So as winter break approaches, I encourage you to take strength and solace in your community. Become rejuvenated by those who inspire you. Most of all, enjoy your well-earned rest. ❚
