The Impact I Want to Have

I grew up in Watrous, Saskatchewan, a small Canadian town of approximately 2000 people. We had a beautiful house and a huge yard that resembled a park. We always had plenty of food in the fridge and new clothes hanging in the closet. In the summer, our family would take a vacation, and we would spend time fishing, water skiing, and eating ice cream. Our Christmas celebrations would feature plenty of presents for everyone and a massive feast to enjoy. We would have many family gatherings where we would play games and enjoy loud sing-a-longs around the old family piano. The security of a loving family that was together every night and there every morning was a blessing.

This was my life growing up in small-town Saskatchewan. Norman Rockwell himself could not have painted a better picture of life in the Mellesmoen home. It was a house filled with love and laughter.

You would think that my life as a student was just as wonderful, but this was not the case. Why was it so difficult for me to navigate life as a high school student? Why was the image in my head something akin to a fun-house freak, rather than the happy kid in those sepia-tinted pictures I now see in mom’s photo albums? Why did the soundtrack for my life sound like some depressing song performed by a broken soul? It should have sounded like Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (Don’t Worry About a Thing).

Why was it so darn tough growing up?

I often ponder this, and a conversation I had with a group of students not too long ago brought those thoughts back to my mind. A group of senior students on a break were sitting in the hall discussing life. It is not unusual for me to join in conversations like this with students. You see, I’m a nosy principal, and the kids have gotten used to me asking how things are going. They have also developed patience when faced with, what I think, is an excellent sense of humour, witty puns, and wonderful jokes. I will never understand how they don’t find humour in questions like, “how else would the cells in our bodies communicate if not by cell phone?”

This time, the conversation was not about jokes. We talked at length about the struggle people face growing up in a world shared through social media. We talked about how kids put on a brave face every day, even if they are struggling. We talked about kids who hurt other kids and how those who inflict the pain must be hurting as well. We talked about life.

As I listened, I could not help but think about how confident I am in our leaders of tomorrow. I felt like these kids are going to be more than just okay. In them, I could see and hear a desire to make the world, even if it is just that world around them right now, a better place. As my career slowly moves along, I know one day, I will be on the sidelines watching as the next generation leads the way. I’m confident they will do a great job of caring for those who have come before them.

If…

…if we remind them their inner voice just might be wrong.
…if we empower them through our words and deeds.
…if we model bravery and leadership for them.

They will take care of us tomorrow if we take care of them today.

I have spent countless hours reflecting on my path and how it has guided me to where I am today. How did a person who dreaded school so much, felt lost, and was often alone, end up back in the same environment? You would think I would have done anything to avoid school after the experiences I had growing up. Nevertheless, I didn’t. I believe I am where I am today for two reasons.

The first is a dream.

I have a dream that every student who walks through the doors of our schools will do so with their head held high. I dream that those students will believe that they have something to contribute. I dream that those students will believe that they are part of a loving school family. I have a dream that every student who walks through the doors of our schools will be able to share their voice without fear.

I know we are not there yet, and I know we cannot do it alone, for there are times when it seems like a mountain too big to climb. Our schools are vast and diverse, and it will take every one of us, working together, to actualize this dream.

That is one reason why my path has led me back. I am an educator because I believe we can make a difference for every student.

The second reason is personal. I am where I am for repairs. I now realize that school broke part of me as a youth. Not intentionally, nor was it the sole culprit, but it played a part. No teachers ever harmed me, nor was I oppressed by the system. What was so corrosive was the baggage I brought with me into the building. For years I struggled with self-doubt, and the scars of those feelings still show themselves even to this day. For example, as I write this book, part of me is scoffing at myself, saying, “oh Bruce, people will think you are so full of yourself for writing this”.

My path has led me back for healing. I am finding that working with these incredible students is like a balm for my soul. Those pieces that broke in my youth are being put back together by our amazing kids.

This is who I am and why I am here. I have a dream that our schools will empower every student. As I help them find their footing on their journey, the wounds of my youth will continue to heal. My gosh, who would have thought my students would be fixing me!

However, this is too grand to do alone. Our students need you. Whether you are a teacher, an educational associate, a parent, a cousin, a neighbour, a superintendent, a custodian, a grandparent, or a coach, you have a role.

The next time you see a leader of tomorrow, stop, smile, and ask how their day is going.

The next time you see a leader of tomorrow, stop, smile, and ask them for advice.

The next time you see a leader of tomorrow, stop, smile, and allow them to help you.

The next time you see a leader of tomorrow, stop, smile, and listen.

They will take care of us tomorrow if we take care of them today.

We are the adults in their world, and we impact our students. Our responsibility is to think critically about how our presence in their world makes a difference. I have often thought that our impact on others is like the ripples caused by a rock thrown in a pond. From the tiniest pebbles to the largest boulders, we create waves.

What impact do you want to create?