the first page . . .

Oliver and I had a great hike on the Bare Mountain trail in Clarenville on New Year's Eve.

2020 is a year I will never forget. The primary reason it will be unforgettable is that my wife and I had the joy of welcoming our son, Oliver, to the world on August 29th, 2020 at 3:24 p.m. I'm happy to report that he is healthy, joyful, and learning everyday!

However, 2020 also will be unforgettable for other reasons: a global pandemic; working from home; reimagining learning as we navigate a crisis; anti-black racism and BLM; the US election; and seeing as how we love weather here in Newfoundland and Labrador I would be remiss if I did not mention Snowmaggedon. 2020 was an unprecedented year.  In particular, I found the fall of 2020 very challenging.

Like many educators and students, I love the feeling of 'Back-2-School.' I love new pens, new notebooks, new clothes, and the buzz of excitement and energy that a new school year creates. It seems the opportunities to learn are endless when a new school year begins. However, I struggled this year in my return to work​.

After having some time to reflect over the holidays, I feel I am better able to understand why I found this fall so difficult. For one, I was living through a major life change: becoming a parent for the first time. As a result, I was perhaps surviving more than thriving most days due to less sleep than normal, more energy needed at home as I parented and interacted with my son, and that was paired that with the weight of the responsibility involved in raising a child (who was born in 2020 - a year with much stress already). It took a toll on my work. I was less focused, less creative, and I found my enthusiasm and optimism for education was challenged; but the good news is  I am feeling much more energized and restored in the first week back in 2021.

I'm happy to report that the holiday break gave me the space and time to renew; refresh; and reconnect. Those 3Rs also happen to be this year's NLTA Education Week theme and I think they're very fitting for the year in education we're all living. It has never been more important to make time for renewal; to refresh and recharge your batteries, and to reconnect (though safely) with the friends, family, and colleagues who fill your cup.

One of my favorite activities over the holiday break was a hike on New Year's eve with some friends and their children. I was able to reconnect socially, bask in the beauty of nature's restorative colors, scents, and sights, and regaining time to be physically active with my son was very renewing. Look out 2021! I'm back! 

It takes some courage and vulnerability to be introspective and share with others when you're not feeling yourself, or if you're struggling, but it's important. I shared how I was feeling this fall with my #SISNL (Safe & Inclusive Schools Itinerants - BEST TEAM!) and they were very empathetic and supportive. I didn't need answers, rather I wanted someone to listen so that I could share how I was feeling. Naming and vocalizing how I felt helped me move forward and get out a few ruts I found myself navigating in my work this fall.

We have to look out for each other, and make time for connecting and checking in, as we continue to engage in learning with our students in 2021. The students need us; and we have to be our best selves to learn with them each day. 

My challenge to you is this: look around you at the educators, students, staff, and community members who share your buildings each day; do you see someone whose spark needs lighting? Lend them your spark. I hope my little blog post might lend some of my spark to someone who needs it today, tomorrow, or whenever you might stumble upon this blog post. Be well. All my best wishes to you for a happy, healthy, joyful, learning filled 2021. 

Thanks for reading,

Richard

P.S. 

​Richard is Learning:

• Woodworking: hoping to build an Adirondack chair over the winter
• Gardening: expanding on my knowledge and 'know-how' for 2021 season
• Podcasting: learning about this medium and how to produce a quality show. Working with Stephen Hurley from voicEd Radio on a podcast for my deep learning project on Joyful Learning (check out the tab on my website).
• Facilitating Online Professional Learning: I am wondering about how to extend my face-2-face PL with educators using virtual tools. 
• Appreciative Inquiry
• Deep Learning Lesson Design 
• Joyful Learning Moment: I am engaged in another #NLESDbookclub that started this week. We're digging into Ungrading by Susan Blum. E-mail me if you're interested in joining. A second joyful learning moment was engaging in a rich conversation with DOS, Don Perry, around connection and relationships in our schools. If you have a #joyfullearning moment, share it with me on Twitter: @MrChurchillNL 

Richard is Listening to:

• Sam Fischer - Homework album.
• Unlocking Us: Brené Brown with Tim Ferriss and Dax Shepard on
  Podcasting, Daily Practices, and the Long and Winding Path to Healing
• In Conversation with Stephen Hurley:  Charles Ungerleider

Richard is Reading: 

• Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) (Susan Blum)
• Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems (Fullan & Quinn)
• Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (Brown) 
• Self-Reg Schools (Shanker) 
• How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature (Sampson)
• The Woman in the Attic (Hepditch) - an NL Reads 22020 Selection
• Rapture: Fifteen Teams, Four Countries, One NBA Championship, and How to Find a Way to Win -- Damn Near Anywhere (Nurse)

Richard is Watching:
The Queen's Gambit
Richard is Wondering:

• What will I learn in 2021?
• How are teachers coping? What do they need? How can I help them?
• How are students feeling?
• What is Oliver going to learn next?
• What would help our students find joy in learning?
• What makes Learning Joyful?
• Will the US rebound from this past week's turmoil?
• How much longer will we be living with Covid-19 restrictions?
• How can I help educators learn and grow in 2021?

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