As a member of the Educational Community, I am immersed in the post-Halloween ramp up by corporate North America, but from my perspective as a secondary level teacher, I see multiple daily examples of the "Christmas Spirit" exemplified in the attitudes and actions of my students. Case in point, I received a gift right before the break from a student who joined one of my classes late in the semester that "blew my socks off" in both thoughtfulness and amazement. This particular student has some significant physical limitations which confine her to a wheelchair, but those limitations do nothing to impair her attitude, and she took it upon herself to create an aboriginal style wood burning of my spirit animal (a bear ... those that know me will see the irony in that). Attached to her piece of art was short note and Tim's card from her mother, thanking me for showing such kindness to her daughter. I was touched, to say the least, by such a thoughtful display of generosity, knowing full well how difficult this would have been for this student to complete. My teacher batteries were now fully charged!
One of the high school-based traditions that exists in so many buildings on the final day before the holiday break is the annual Christmas concert. I have only taught at two high schools, so my experiences are limited, but the annual showcase of talent that these productions display brings a wide smile to my face each and every time.
My present school's concert is student-driven ... the SAC takes on the organization duties and is supported by the music department ... and is filled with songs, dances, and teenagery type things, but the best parts, IMHO, are the teacher-produced additions that regularly straddle that imaginary line of appropriateness, much to the sheer delight of the students. This year's North concert was no exception and, if the cheers and laughter are indication, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the teacher-generated experience. I was wee bit melancholy the rest of the day since I knew that I had reached the end of my Christmas concert tenure, what with retirement happening in just over a month away. I could still choose to attend them as a member of the audience but the days of contributing were over. Heavy sigh and deep sadness.
Upon reaching home that night, my mood improved significantly when Social Media, being what it is, bombarded my feed with reminders of the shenanigans that occurred at the other high school I was a staff member at. A variety of people had posted snippets or comments about memories they had of the Central concerts they had experienced. The difference between the two schools was a subtle, but significant, one since the Central concerts were teacher-driven with zero student input ... unless you count the impromptu mosh pit that would happen when the teacher band would close out the show.
While teachers would straddle the line in many schools, at Central we took a full step across it AND on many occasions. If you're reading this, and you attended Central as a student or taught there as staff, I am sure your neural pathways are alight with memories of the craziness that was on full display in the Fisher Aud. Having been both student and staff there, I can immediately recall dozens of skits, songs, videos, and "commercials" (Duke of Earl, Brick in a box, BareNaked Ladies, The Gap, the BCC synchro team, Radioactive, Kryptonite, Sugar Plum Fairies, old time Rock 'n Roll, etc) that whipped the 800+ in attendance into a hoarse, gasping mass. In a testament to the sheer popularity, the student attendance on the lead up to the final day ALWAYS paled in comparison resulting in standing-room only.
From my family to yours, dear reader, wishes for a very Merry Christmas, a safe and happy New Year, and health, wealth and happiness throughout the coming year. See you next decade!
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