I was teaching a grade 2 novel study about a boy who goes on an adventure to rescue a baby dragon from Wild Island—they escape by flying to nearby Tangerina Island. Suddenly, one of my teaching partners burst into the classroom wearing an inflatable Halloween costume that made it look like they were sitting on a dragon and exclaimed, “Hooray, we’re free, now let’s fly away to the island of Tangerina!” I laughed out loud. It helped me realize the importance of having fun and making connections with the people in the community.

 

It’s a place of food, fun, laughter. I guess we do a little learning, too. We have a good time learning with our students in many ways, and there are plenty of treats in the staff room.

 

One thing that has changed a lot is the size of the staff. I used to know all the names but now I find it challenging to remember them. One time I met a senior school teacher at a staff function and asked if they were new to the school. They responded they had been working here for three years! However, the vibe is the same. Everyone is helpful and friendly.

 

One thing is that I try to shape my personal life with a bit more inquiry and action. The joy has always been there for me, but sometimes I need a boost to do something more productive, especially over the summer.

 

I envision a place with an indoor theatre for school performances, a mini-golf course with a solar-powered windmill, and way fewer stairs. But I don’t know if I’ll be here to see the changes in 30 years, so let’s aim for 10 years.