Tonight was Devereaux Elementary School’s Christmas Concert/Winter celebration. This is an event that brings the community into our school en masse. It is a fantastic showcase of student talent, courage, perseverance, effort and heart. The children are proud of all the hard work they have put in and excited to welcome their families and friends in to see them share what they have accomplished. At the end of this first term they have accomplished a great deal. Not only do the families of the students get to share in the excitement of a wonderful show but they stick around to enjoy the outdoor skating rink, activities in a classroom, a holiday movie or tobogganing and snowshoeing also. Though most stick around it seems, to share in the company of friends, family, and classmates, enjoying a few more moments of the pride they feel for their performance and their school.

The smiles and successes I saw this evening for all our students are testament to the relationships that teachers at Devereaux forge with students, the pride they show for their student’s accomplishments, and the effort they make to continually ask what more, what next, what do these students need from here. The pride I have and share for my small (but growing) rural elementary school is immense, it is the pride I have in the educators and support staff that bring out the best in the students, challenge them to have a growth mindset, support their social-emotional learning and foster self-regulation.

I am proud of our Grade six teacher who challenged her students to collaborate on a fantastic public speaking enterprise and they delivered a near perfect recital of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas story. A teacher whose students run a classroom economy and are becoming more and more financially literate and gaining lifelong skills.

I am proud of our Grade 4/5 teacher who collaborates with and reaches out to colleagues regularly for feedback and seeks input about how to push or support or inspire this student or that one. A teacher who learns and challenges her growth mindset alongside her students.

I am proud of the Educational Assistant who tirelessly supports the social-emotional development of a student who beamed so brightly as she sang that it lit up the whole gymnasium.

I am proud of our Grade 7 teacher who comits so much enthusiasm and thoughtful planning for our students that will be transitioning to high school at the end of this year. He believes in his students, even in Boomwhacking for the show! A teacher who is always thinking ahead and asking questions about what might be the next boost for these kids and identifying what strength he can build on. These students are a true unit under his guidance, as empathetic a group as they come.

I am proud of the Educational Assistant who supports our newest learners with subtle (and some direct 🙂 nudges that help these children keep up with the new demands of school. A person who is is always helping kids to take pride in their accomplishments.

I am proud of the Kindergarten/Grade 1 teacher that sets the conditions for success, finding the next bar at the right height for the students to climb to. An educator who connects big ideas and inspires curiosity and reflection in these eager young minds.

I am proud of the school secretary that goes above and beyond to make sure teachers have materials they need and students/parents and guests are welcomed in the building. A person who steps up and keeps things clicking along without hiccup.

I am proud of the Grade 1/2 teacher who makes it a priority for her students to have fun, to be mindful and to care for one another. A teacher who understands play is learning and laughs merrily with her students.

I am proud of the Educational Assistant who draws attention to student strengths as they may miss them themselves. A person who reinforces positive choices by engaging with students, not alongside them.

I am proud of the teacher who moved from the classroom and took on a wide variety of learning support roles. A teacher who has jumped into this new learning and demonstrates her understanding that for students to be learning, we need to be learning. Her support of students and colleagues builds collaborative networks so that no one is getting left behind.

I am proud of the Educational Assistant who builds such strong connections with students that when they can find no other outlet, they seek her out. She is a rock for them and they know she cares about them, not what they do. A person who will support a child all the way from struggling to enter a classroom to that same child participating in an assembly.

I am proud of the teacher who has taken on a new learning support role to work with her colleagues. A teacher who is looking to put best practice in place and grow with her colleagues.  With her calm demeanor and thoughtful attention to students, she always brings an informed perspective.

I am proud of the Grade 3/4/5 teacher who’s organization of learning intentions and focus on criteria, with high expectations allows students to meet these expectations. An educator who brings her professionalism to everything she does and helps to push us collectively to better outcomes for kids.

I was asked recently what program I was proud of at the school, and while I am proud of many programs we have undertaken at Devereaux, my pride is in the students that give it all they can every day and the teachers and support staff that get them to find a little bit more.