Teaching and thriving where I am.

In a week of conversations about stereotypes and the power of voices, it is very clear that teachers can not " spit the dummy ."! My reasons: 1. I am  accountable to future citizens for behavour, responses and respectability 2. I will think before I use my words to express when and why I am totally irritated 3. My pay scale implicitly expects better behavior- the masses ( classes) are watching me. Besides my students do not pay to watch me perform. Their parents' trust that what I have planned for the day is most valuable and mildly entertaining.  My opinion is that dramatic emotional outbursts are the domain of millionaires and those armchair critics who support entertainment in sport. This image was circulated today- love it! thank you Matt Miller

Affirmations Monday morning tea was in the English workroom. It was my birthday. Colleagues had taken the time to bring a few healthy snacks and we sat in a circle while one by one they each shared a few lines affirming me as their colleague and friend. A tradition. Oh, my heart! Those words from each of you are soul food.  I often hear "good for the soul". I wonder what that really looks like for each individual I know. It had been the school ball on the weekend, I got to wear my expensive dress again, I’ve gained weight since I last wore it...argghh...must conquer this emotional eating habit and stick to the exercise and SLEEP plan. The ' postballphotobuzz ' is fascinating as each student sees and squeals at their photo. Admittedly I'm just like a student in that way. But I ... I miss my family in South Africa especially much on celebration days...those traditions, seeing my Mum and Dad's handwritten cards and reading his few poetic lines. Facebook fil

My posts are mostly about things that inspire or challenge me, always something ‘in the moment’ to encourage you- my readers. This photo is just that -a collection of little gifts; metaphors for growth.  This post is also a tribute to my beautiful Mother Avrille Yvonne Grant( née Schroder) and partly to thank 3 beautiful young, vibrant girls who spoke on stage at Elim Christian Centre on mother’s day. The theme of growth sits here: in fact this  ‘mature tree’  has been uprooted, bent, snapped, mocked, excluded, falsely accused, bits broken off, bits have died BUT new shoots have sprung up- this ‘ mature tree’  has experienced kindness, invitations, nourishment, perfumed words of promise that drew out potential, the tender care of a gardener, the watering of friendship and sisterhood, and her roots have gone deep, deep down and now she provides rest, refreshment, shade and nourishment for many in this beautiful Oasis called Elim, in a community of determined passionate people and lea