Bernard Walter

Tag: Teaching

  • September 15, 2023

    Do you see yourself as a leader? This is a writing prompt. A couple of years ago, I had a vice-principal who was encouraging me to take my principal qualifications. She told me that I have leadership qualities, that I like to move conversations and ideas forward. I appreciate what she said but I don’t…

  • September 13, 2023

    I think today was the sixth day of school. Already, I’m muttering under my breath, swearing out loud when I think no one is around, and annoyed with students’ behaviour. I will say that I do really enjoy wearing the tongueless shoes I got in the summer. They’re rather comfortable.

  • September 12, 2023

    Just outside the school, there are two bus stops. It’s really annoying to have to stop at the south end of the school yard and then again at the north end when following a city bus that’s dropping off students. The staff parking lot is a right turn after the bus stop to the north.…

  • September 8, 2023

    It’s been over a week since I’ve been to the workshop. I was reminded that I’d been away when I got my box of new materials in the mail. The package has some weight to it.

  • September 7, 2023

    I’ve been grumpy about work. This isn’t my usual curmudgeon self coming through, this is a real response to returning to work after the summer. This morning, I was thinking about why.

  • September 5, 2023

    Today was the first day of school. It was a good day, despite the scorching heat. Within 20 minutes of entering the building, I was dripping with sweat. It continued like that throughout most of the day. Luckily, the library has air conditioning. The classrooms, however, do not.

  • August 31, 2023

    I’m not ready for the new school year to begin. I went to school today for a few hours but didn’t get enough done. Going in tomorrow is going to be a pain. After work, I went to the workshop, where I managed to finish an order that I’ve been working on.

  • August 29, 2023

    It finally happened: we went to school today. Yesterday morning, we opted to stay in bed. This morning, we got ourselves up and out. Hannah even woke up early enough to go for a run.

  • July 23, 2023

    July 23, 2023

    Creativity is a funny thing. We seem to value it very highly in our private lives but dismiss it too easily in our professional ones.

  • July 3, 2023

    July 3, 2023

    The first few days of summer are like the next day after a night out drinking — hungover. You feel it. You know you did something your body managed to survive. Facing the consequences hurts.

  • June 23, 2023

    June 23, 2023

    Today was the last day of school for this year. The excitement of the beginning of summer wasn’t there. The day ended like most Fridays, except there were a few more handshakes. Now, it’s time to turn my attention to the summer months — the two shortest months of the year. I have big plans…

  • June 28, 2023

    June 28, 2023

    I’m lucky that some of my students like me enough to get me a gift at the end of the school year. I always ask if they are sure they want to give me a gift and tell them that they don’t have to get me anything. Of course, I do want the gift. I…