epitome? me?

I stayed up late last night (early this morning) preparing a DVD slideshow for the students I worked with in West Vancouver, my Living Inquiry students. I wanted to give them something lasting to remember this year's work so I burned a DVD for each student. Burning twenty-five DVDs might seem a tedious task, but it wasn't really that bad-- it was a chance to spend a bit more time with each wonderful child, thinking of the pleasure they'd take in watching the disk now or ten years from now. It was fun to wonder what would become of each one, imagining how Living Inquiry had influenced their view of the world. I did not expect that I'd come home today with twenty-five Living Inquiry mementos of my own...

It was the "wrap session" for the year, the last hour of school for the class, many of whom will move on to high school next fall. It was pretty emotional. We watched the slideshow together and congratulated eachother on our Living Inquiry work. Then everyone had a chance to talk about how they felt about the year coming to a close. Living Inquiry came up as a favourite for a lot of the kids. How rewarding! After the talking stick had made its way around the sharing circle, I was presented with a thank-you card (most of them handmade) from each student, and a Spa Utopia gift certificate. I'm sure I'll enjoy the spa, but the many positive comments the students made in their cards are, by far, the richer gift:

"Living Inquiry has been the best school experience so far this year. I don't think I did anything more meaningful, fun, or peaceful this year."

"When I met with you to look over my work, your questions and comments pushed my creativity level and made my work a lot more meaningful and original."

"Living Inquiry has probably been one of the things that made me realize my actions, and how dumb and unthoughtful they can be. I know you're not the main teacher, but you've proven that the most reflective thing can make a difference."

"You are a big inspiration to me and my peers. I admire your passion towards us (as students) and your thoughts and wonders about our world that we are living in each and every day. I really hope that I get to enjoy this course with you next year and be surrounded with your great energy once again."

"You have changed me. You have changed us. With your passion, your curiosity, your wisdom, you are the epitome of Living Inquiry. And I will always remember. Always."


For someone who's been feeling rather like the epitome of basket cases lately, this was all mighty encouraging.