On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, it’s a time to reflect on how all of our lives changed, to honour those who were lost, and to try to focus on the moments of beauty during a crisis. Who better to talk to then than someone who was part of the historic events, in reality and in pop fiction? While in Newfoundland in …
Learning to let a child go
Parenting is a series of moments of holding on tight and letting go. This week my baby girl left for the University of Toronto, and I’m reflecting on the rollercoaster of parenting that has led to this point. How do you hold on tight enough, but not too tight when you love someone more than you love yourself? They say …
Board’s course schedule doesn’t add up
As an educator in the post-secondary system, I am baffled by Algoma District School Board’s latest decision regarding its back-to-school plans for September. On Aug. 23, I received a communication with ADSB’s plans for high schools and had to read it three times to make sure I had read it properly. My heart goes out to the students and the …
Seeing new sights in Newfoundland
I’ve just returned from a vacation to Newfoundland. I usually travel internationally, but this, of all years, seemed like the time to stay in Canada for vacation, and I was not disappointed, because it had a foreign feel. COVID-19 wounded those of us who are afflicted with wanderlust. This trip allowed me to recharge my batteries with a lot of ‘new’ …
‘Respectful communication’ with children — not cursing — is damned good parenting advice
I was the guest on a podcast recently about parents who curse. This got me reflecting on how I dealt with cursing in my house, and what the message was that I was trying to get across to my kids. As a writer, corporate communications trainer, and keynote speaker (about the power of words and positive self-talk), I spend a …
‘I like flying through the air’: Sault teen shines at Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association’s World Series Championships
If you combine gymnastics, rock climbing, trapeze work, and physical problem-solving on a next level jungle gym with over one thousand competitors, you have the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association’s World Series Championships held in Las Vegas last weekend. Sault Ste. Marie teen Sylas Snider looked like a seasoned ninja as he swung like a monkey, soared through the air, balanced …
Something stinks about Algoma board’s lack of women
Back in 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau validated women when he presented a cabinet with gender parity, explaining his rationale unapologetically: “Because it’s 2015.” Yet, in July 2021, he offered Algoma Steel $420 million toward environmental improvements. Why is this a problem? According to its website, Algoma Steel has no women executives, and no women on the board. Perhaps it’s time …
Keep protesting fashion policies
Telling women (and men) what they can and can’t wear has to stop. It has to stop in our classrooms, it has to stop in our workplaces, and as it has to stop with our athletes. I remember my daughter avoiding wearing a beautiful long sundress to school, concerned that she would be criticized for violating the dress code because …
Low-key birthday celebration music to ‘introvert’s’ ears
This week I celebrated my 49th birthday. When asked how I wanted to celebrate, I said that I wanted to be with my teens and a couple close friends, eat some amazing food, pamper myself a bit, spend some time in nature, and do a little self-reflection. I’m an introvert, so a celebration involves people whom I already know and like, …
Wanted: that one useful app to make ‘life easier’
For the last few months, I’ve been focused on nothing more than getting my vaccinations, so that I could do my part in keeping the community safe and bringing back a degree of normalcy to our lives. Now that I’ve received both doses, and once my symptoms subsided, my attention turned quickly to next steps. Vaccine passports are definitely on …