Father Bressani CHS

     I remember facing a few challenges during my teaching career at Father Bressani CHS, Woodbridge, Ontario.  I do not remember the exact year when an entire quarter of the building had to be shut down due to asbestos found in the walls of that particular area of the building.  Both floors were shut down for a lengthy period of time.  I received the call from the school Principal, that an important meeting required department heads to attend an emergency gathering.  The news was shared at this meeting.  Further, the instructions to those teachers working in that section of the building to immediately remove all equipment.  Music Room 209 was full of computers, instruments, instructional materials, and cabinets full of other related / connected resources, consumables, recordings, music score library, etc.  I was required to move all of this and to place it in the other music room 222, located just outside the identified out-of-bounds area.  This was a huge task and I had to act quickly, there was not much time offered.  I do not recall how much help I was given to gather all the above, transport it, and then, re-organize it so that I could continue to teach in the crowded space of 222.  It was an incredible situation, somewhat unbelievable and unfair.  I recall that some classes had to be arranged in the gymnasium with other simultaneous classes.  Also, the same in the cafeteria.  This did not work well.  I suppose I was fortunate because at least I could deliver some instruction in room 222.
     The asbestos was discovered by one of the teachers who was dealing with a discipline problem in a classroom.  I do not know the exact details, and perhaps the student was merely fooling-around with the teacher, but a whole appeared in the wall of the classroom.  Now, was this done by accident?  Did it occur with a foot kicking the wall?  Did it happen because one student was wrestling with another and the bodies collided into the wall?  Do not remember.  The teacher noticed the inner portion of the wall had a peculiar colour.  This discovery was reported and the wall was investigated.  After identifying the substance as asbestos, the other classrooms on the first floor were checked and so were the above classrooms in that particular quarter of the building.  If memory serves me, I believe that this particular corner of the building was a newly added portion to the school structure, and was not an original part of the school when it first was constructed.
     The other challenge with teaching at Father Bressani CHS:  the building was too small!  In fact, this was a building constructed with elementary school planning.  Therefore, the hall way width was smaller;  the classroom were smaller.  When I was teaching there, the school campus was known as portable city, with some 40 portables located on the property!  We had 2200 students, if not more, registered at Father Bressani CHS.  Things improved once Holy Cross was built, to take on some of the pressure.  Later, other high schools were constructed.  When you walked in the hallway, you basically joined the streams of people moving in all directions, and the momentum (speed) of the chain of people helped to move you from point A to point B.  It was challenging to leave the stream of motion when you reached your destination.  An interesting note, that just recently, an entire elementary school located near Father Bressani CHS was demolished!  Things have certainly changed.
     The other challenge while teaching at Father Bressani CHS included the political strike I experienced in the 90’s.  Wow, what an experience.  In fact, not only did I live the provincial strike, but also the local strike which followed.
     An additional crisis that comes to mind is 9/11.  I remember teaching when a student returns to class from a requested rest room break, and shares the news of the attack on the buildings.  I do not remember the year, but I was a part of the excursion to New York City a few years prior to 9/11.  It was a great trip, which included our visit to the World Trade Centre.  In fact, we attended a lecture on the 80th floor (I think).  I remember looking out the windows:  what an amazing view.  Many years later, I organized an excursion to New York City while teaching at St. Elizabeth CHS.  We did visit the site and this trip was also an amazing experience, visiting the church located very close to ground zero.  Another fine excursion completed at Father Bressani after 9/11, because we were not allowed to leave the country, was an organized trip to Alberta, via train!  That year, we were expected to travel to Greece, but the trip was cancelled due to 9/11.  I replaced the trip with Alberta.  We were not allowed to fly, so I arranged the trip VIA rail.  It was spectacular to visit Alberta.
     Another trip organized while working at Father Bressani CHS was the trip to British Columbia, a combined Rugby / Music Trip.  Again, a fantastic experience.
     I forgot to mention the additional challenge experienced at this school.  On a few occasions, my tires were slashed on my truck.  I drove a pickup truck at the time.  At this particular school, I would get into some difficulty with some students who did not appreciate my high standard of respect for education; respect for following school rules and policies; respect for other teachers; respect for school property, etc.  Unfortunately, my work to correct situations did manage to cost me.  There were other situations where, believe it or not, my life was threatened as well.  I know, I know, it’s difficult to accept this unexpected sharing of news, but it’s true. Of course, there were other teachers who experienced the same.  It was common at this school.  Please understand, Father Bressani CHS was an amazing school with amazing students.  So many students graduated from that school with amazing success in so many areas.  The community too, simply amazing, very supportive of Music Program and my work.  I did teach there for 15 years!  There were so many rumors about the school - some truthful and some, well, I do not know.  I concentrated on my work, and appreciated working with so many wonderful colleagues and students.  However, like most schools, you do get a mix of clients - and some students are not very kind.

Wow, what’s really going to happen to the education system?

     Over the most recent years, I did think about the future of education.  The main theme I thought about most, involved how could government sustain an old model system, financially?  In addition, with the advancements in technology, we needed to think about how best to prepare the learners for jobs of the future.
     In some countries in the world, it is my understanding that education is free, and is held in high regard.  I read an article a few years ago that on-line education would be the best affordable way to learn.  The student would select a teacher and study with that teacher, paying the teacher only.  No need for a school board, or school building to heat / air condition.  In this scenario, property taxes would probably be reduced since a large portion of our taxes are directed to supporting the education system.  Further, discipline would be easier and the fight for lower class sizes would not disappear - there would be no fight.
     I have always been an advocate of studying with a master teacher.  I often thought, would it not be great to study science with a practicing researcher?  Or, would it not be great to train with an Olympic athlete?  The initial early years of a young person’s education could be instructed by the parents.  After the fundamentals are taught, the next step would be to select additional teachers, offered around the world.  If someone wants to be a plumber, why do they have to study biology?  I mean, the interest to study biology would be very low;  their test scores would probably reflect the interest:  low.
     I read another article some time ago that offered tips to completing a job interview, successfully.  What are the main things employers are looking for?  One characteristic is:  how well do you work in a team setting?  Okay, so, there goes my idea about studying with a master teacher!  School does offer many educational activities that you are expected to work with classmates to complete various projects.  Another characteristic in high demand today: can you adapt efficiently and effectively to change?  A third characteristic:  are you demonstrating that you are a life-long learner?  In addition, do you display curiosity?
     We have to get comfortable with technology and worry a bit less about privacy if we are to survive this Pandemic.  I think technology can and will ultimately save us.  Technology will help to speed the finding of a vaccine.  Technology will deliver product, will be the nurse in hospital, in dangerous situations.
     We need to re-tool and retrain our work force.  People need to learn new skills and our education system needs to undergo a massive change.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Throwing money at something is not the way to solve a problem.  The future needs strong problem solvers;  equipped with curiosity, compassion, discipline, responsibility and able to adapt to new situations efficiently and effectively.
     We have always lived as people under threat.  Most recently, I can remember reading about how one person could bring down an entire country (economy) using a computer, by hacking into sensitive material.  In the last few years, many people have lost their privacy.  This Covid 19 threat is real and it will require the entire world to work together to solve.  If our World Leaders in the powerful Nations would have invested money, not in armies, but in research of an enemy far more powerful, we would have been better prepared to meet this challenge.
     The education system will change;  how?  I’m not sure.  When?  I’m not sure.
   

Music Alive Festival, 2020

     Well, it's official, the festival is cancelled.  The announcement was made Friday the 13th!  At a meeting with Edel, Michelle J., and in consultation with Steffan B., and communication with Susanne, who received approval from our recommendation to cancel, we sent two different broadcasts on Friday.
Given the current situation, we must act professionally, safely, and quickly.  Our clients need the information for planning.  They need to know before departing for an extended march break.
Right now is the right time to make the right decision.
This upcoming week, I will organize a list of school names and addresses to provide Character Community, to prepare the refund payments to be mailed.
Everyone must do their part to contribute to the safety of all.  It's been busy this year due to political disruption / uncertainty and the Covid-19 Virus.  With the announcement that all schools were to remain closed for three weeks, we simply could not continue.
We look forward to staying healthy and working to arrange a festival in 2021.

     (October 17, 2020). I continue to work without compensation, just completing a third proposal for a very different offering of Music Alive - with a slant towards education focus - arranging virtually experts for music educators.  There is a meeting this week with the volunteer committee members.  I am hopeful that I can generate something for 2021, still working with Character Community, which provides security with insurance coverage, and accounting, etc.

     The Character Community did arrange a summer concert series which ran from June to August.  This kept me involved and helped to earn me some additional money performing virtually from my home.  So, I appreciate this gesture and am willing to continue to work.

Fundamentals

     In reflection, fairly early in my teaching career, I think I was an advocate of teaching the fundamentals.  For example:  courtesy, listening, respect for others, materials, and the environment, appreciating opportunity, effort, discipline, time-management, cooperation, working together, trust, using appropriate language, speaking out of turn, supporting one another, recognizing strengths and identifying areas that required improvement, fitness, personal hygiene, caring for others, prayer, serving in the community, etc.
     I suppose many of us would generate a different list of “fundamentals”, and your list would be different than mine.  In addition, a list generated in 1990 would probably be different than a list created in 2005 or 2015(?)
     Music education does a good job of teaching the fundamentals; life skills that will serve you well in anything you choose to do.  I think that many areas of education assume that students will realize where and how “fundamentals” are connected to the subject area.  I disagree.  I think some may realize the importance of connecting and relating, but most do not notice or even appreciate how the parts can come together.  Perhaps we have our priorities confused.
     It seems to me that many of us fall into the cycle of life.  Currently, humanity is facing a serious challenge that is of a global scale in dealing with Covid-19 (Corona Virus).  It’s disrupting everything and having a deep impact in our lives.  We need to come together, work together, now more than ever, to apply the “fundamentals” we were taught both at school and in the home.  We must set aside our selfish tendencies and not ignore this.

It’s always a careful balancing act, as I remember

     In conversation with a music director, it reminds me of how arranging events, rehearsals and other music education activities depended on a careful balance.  Let me explain.  This particular teacher will get back to me about a performance invitation offered for one of the ensembles at his school.  There is an athletic event already arranged on the same day and many of the music students involved with the wind ensemble will be participating in the scheduled athletic event - he doesn’t want to double-book.
     I remember so many instances where rehearsals after school were missed by many ensemble members due to Science projects or extra help with math, or the hockey, football, soccer game trips.  Of course I was very flexible with this.  I remember attending school and having an interest in sports and music;  I wanted to do both and why not?
     Many students would arrange with their coaches and other teachers in other subject areas manageable ways to deal with their busy lives!  This too, was it not a good life-teaching challenge?  These students needed to be responsible to themselves as well.  They were required to negotiate, think about and plan homework, practices, rehearsals, and so much more.  It’s a careful balancing act, for sure.  In order to be successful, the student was encouraged to strategize and plan; to discuss and work with others; to appreciate the opportunities available.
   I remember a colleague at another school who delivered a very successful music program for years and years.  It was well established and maintained.  There was tradition and excellent experiences for the students.  This particular colleague disagreed with flexibility.  The student had to make a choice:  music or sports, you cannot do both.  I think this music teacher did have a point, in some way.  In order to do the best work, you must participate full time in that activity.  Besides, other students would also argue that the ensemble could never achieve the best quality artistically with some part-time musicians.  This same colleague would arrange excursions in the summer!  Smart idea, to avoid any conflicts and get a full turn-out of ensemble participation, plus the trips would last longer, not having to miss any school time.
     It was always very challenging for me to develop a strong performing band or choir or jazz band.  Some students would miss rehearsals because of the above;  some would miss because they had better things to do;  some would miss because they had an after-school job.  I recall some students not understanding the importance of rehearsing - these students would say:  “don’t worry, I’ll practice at home”.
     Some music directors would arrange rehearsals early in the morning, to avoid the after school conflicts.  Some directors would arrange evening rehearsals, and some still would try the weekend!  I remember some directors arranging early rehearsals in the summer - a music camp, where all the music for the year would be issued.  For two weeks, the students would get a good start to learning the music - smart idea.
     I remember my teaching career as a real balancing act in so many respects, including the above.  For example, one needs to balance their teaching career with their family needs as well.  In addition, if you are a performer as well (like me), you need to insert that aspect into the mix of balancing too.  Finally, what about your own personal time?