Linda Andres:  

So I am having one of those bucket list moments. Next month I am in a musical at a local small theatre -- an off Broadway musical, Nunsense. There is one racist section in in that I am pleased to say our director also didn't like so editted out, but otherwise it is a fun little play. Great cast I am working with as well - 3 music teachers, one other school teacher, a theatre instructor at our local youth company and a young college student who has taken a lot of dance. As well, the director is a published playwright and known actor in town. As well, she has directed several production in town. I feel privileged to be a part of the cast since I have far less experience or theatric training. It is truly one of those bucket list moments. Life Let's see..... what are some of my memories ..... in a series of new schools (11 in all from grade 1 through high school grad. Elementary school - matching dresses, lunch lines and the girls porch in grade 1, an Easter contest in grade 2, playing Honey West in the neighbourhood, a box of foil and the world we folded out of it .....fork pompoms .... Kiss tag and being walked home from school, the music teacher teaching us "Would you like to fly in my beautiful balloon", "One God", and "Sound of Silence" ..... prison ball .... and kickball .... marbles ..... crossing guards ...... Brownies and Girl Scouts ...... boys putting snakes in our hair.... a wall of Teen Beat heartthrobs .... Junior high ...... walking halls, crushes and writing the sappy story of my "love life" such as it was ..... pep squad sleepovers and the grade 9s getting a red rover game going on the parking lot ...... the father daughter tea with the mint chocolate dessert we made in home ec...... learning to sew and choirs ..... High school ...... the retreat under the trees in Mark Morris and a lot of great conversations there, being the club historian ..... thinking about boys, crushes, and boys ...... Mrs. Falk, driver's ed, choirs and singing with friends ....lots of high school angst... Life has its ways of making changes and with all it has held there are too many good memories to leave a lot of room for all the ankst of childhood. I do leave enough room for it so that I can empathize as I work with my students. Thankfully, I have had time to grow up so that I can use that empathy to help students with choices and managing behaviors. (I groan and chuckle when I think of the melodramatically thinking kid I was and some of the behaviors that came out of that. I definately have students that helps me understand!) Yes, I have become a teacher after years of other choices. I've lived in Canada for over 25 years. I am divorced with three young adult children. Getting married then pregnant before completing my degree gave me the excuse to sp...Expand for more