June/2000 - Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association

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PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT“Together withfriends from acrossthe country andaround the world,we participated ina demanding andexhilaratingprogram.”THE FORUM FORYOUNGCANADIANSThis international conference represents the culminationof 25 years experience. The Forum forYoung Canadians was founded in 1975 by concernedcitizens from the public and private sectors whowanted to meet a vital need: to develop among highschool students a better awareness of their role andresponsibilities as Canadian citizens. Sponsors includethe Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons,the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Public ServiceCommission and private-sector supporters, the primeprogram sponsor being Royal LePage RelocationServices.The Forum for Young Canadians welcomes at eachof its four annual sessions approximately 125 youngCanadians between the ages of 16 and 19. Participantsare selected throughout Canada from the brightest students,on a proportional basis, from each province andterritory. Newfoundland and Labrador was particularlywell represented at this historic session with studentsfrom across the province: Ashley Power from Gander;Maria Kielly from St. Mary’s Bay; Amanda May fromClarenville; Mary Ryan from Mobile; Bond Rideoutfrom Blaketown; Will Kennedy from ConceptionHarbour; and Patrick Hanlon from St. John’s. Three ofthe 16 teachers selected were from our province: MaryDiamond from Bay d’Espoir; Marie Guzzwell fromMount Pearl; and Keith Samuelson from St. John’s.Together with friends from across the country andaround the world, we participated in a demanding andexhilarating program. It included an overview ofCanadian institutions and of the electoral, legislative,executive and judicial systems as well as an analysis ofthe roles of various key players in the processes of government.Several teaching methods were employed,comprising of theory outlines followed by question periods,group discussion and simulation exercises.Counsellors facilitated the discussions of a diverse groupof Canada’s future leaders through a series of increasinglycomplex exercises – from a simple game teaching howthe electoral system works to a federal-provincial conferencewhich brought into focus the diverse linguistic,regional and cultural perspectives that shape Canada’snational policies.Presentations by Canada’s most prominent parliamentarianswere particularly memorable: AdrienneClarkson’s session on “The Role of the Governor-General” in Rideau Hall; Speaker Gildas Molgat on “TheRole of the Senate” in the Senate chamber; and SpeakerGilbert Parent on “The Role of the House of Commons”in the House of Commons chamber. Senior staff such asEddy Goldenberg from the Prime Minister’s Office,James R. Hurley, Canada’s top constitutional expert, andChief Electoral Officer Jean-Pierre Kingsley were fascinatingpresenters. We also experienced enlightening sessionsat the Supreme Court and the Lester B. PearsonBuilding for External Affairs. Teachers participated in around-table discussion on curriculum with the DistrictSuperintendent for Ottawa-Carleton and the staff atLisgar Collegiate. Other sessions focussed on the roles ofMinisters, M.P.s, parliamentary committees, ambassadorsand parliamentary media.There were also ample opportunities to interactinformally with each other over lunch, dinner, tours ofParliament and Ottawa and during dancing and skits.Every participant went away with personal memories ofdining with charismatic political leaders such as GeorgeBaker, Deborah Grey or Claudette Bradshaw, meetingambassadors from Asian, African and European countries,or posing for pictures with Senator FrankMahovlich. For some, the cultural exhibitions of thedelegation of children from Arctic Bay was especiallymemorable, for others the theatrics of Question Periodor the emotional farewell at the closing banquet anddinner in the National Arts Centre will never be forgotten.However, the opportunity to meet and bond withpeople from all over the world made Forum 2000 aunique experience.At the end of the conference, many internationalteachers expressed a strong desire to organize a“Forum” in their home countries. Of course, the Forumstaff agreed to help.Forum 2000 was indeed a great success. It seemsappropriate to close with the words of one of the internationalstudents:Thank you from whole of my heartfor making this dream come true!!!You have just warmeda few passionate heartsbeating strongly and impatientlyto meet once again in a country called Canadaunder the protective “wing”of a maple leaf...–– Ralitza Houbanova, Varna, Bulgaria.Keith Samuelson teaches at Prince of Wales Collegiate inSt. John’s.the bulletin 22 june 2000
LIVINGWELLGrief, Loss,and Healingby KATHY BURFORDGrief is a normal and natural part of life. It isour reaction to loss and to having somethingunwanted happen. Mourning our loss is universal.We are all familiar with having to dealwith a variety of losses during our lifetime. When wewere young, a favourite pet may have died, or we lostfriends as a result of a move or school change. As adults,we may have suffered the death of a parent or someonethat we cared about. On the other hand, we may haveexperienced other types of loss such as a divorce, bankruptcy,job loss, or a serious debilitating injury or illness.GRIEF TipS for TeachersFor the griever:• cry, shout, and express your emotions;• find support;• face your losses and be aware of whatremains;• stay away from grief substitutes thatdistract you from dealing with your grief;• commit to taking care of yourself andmake healthy lifestyle choices.For the observer:• do not deny another’s right to grieve;• refrain from statements such as, “Iknow what you are feeling”, or “it’s forthe best”, or “keep busy so you don’thave to think about it”;• be a good listener and avoid criticism orjudgements.“HEALING CAN NOT HAPPEN IF YOU KEEP ON PUNISHING YOURSELF OR THEWORLD FOR THINGS THAT ARE BEYOND ANYONE’S CONTROL.” (Dr. Rita Freedman)Please send your comments or suggestions to:Kathy Burford, Employee Assistance Programc/o NLTA, 3 Kenmount Road, St. John’s, NF, A1B 1W1Tel. 726-3223 or 1-800-563-3599, Ext. 242Fax 726-4302 or 1-877-711-NLTA (6582)e-mail: kburford@nlta.nf.caLoss of trust or respect has more of a symbolic meaning,but can be difficult nonetheless.The question that most of us face is, how do werecover from the heartbreak and pain of grief? Whilesome losses are bigger than others, what we experiencecan range from mild anxiety to intense pain and heartbreak.Each loss, however, requires us to grieve the painthat accompanies it. Unfortunately, there are no shortcutsto grieving. Eventually we need to recover by workingthrough our grief, letting go, and moving on with thetask of living our lives the best that we can. It is not onlythe passage of time that heals our wounds; it is what wedo that matters the most and heals us the best.Alternatively, unresolved grief is the underlying problemin most people’s lives.Grief Reactions to LossThe normal process of grief is highly personal and individualizedwhich results in different reactions. Initially,when a loss occurs, most people experience numbness,shock, and disbelief over what has happened. Some peoplemay find it hard to concentrate and carry on withnormal everyday tasks. A great deal of thought tends tofocus on the loss situation by constantly going over theevents or constantly thinking about the person who hasdied. Once the shock wears off, the reality of the situationsinks in as does the conflicting feelings associatedwith the loss. For example, there may be relief that afamily member no longer has to suffer the pain of theirillness, but also an overwhelming sadness over the lossof the relationship. The work of grieving can be compoundedwhen there is unfinished business in the relationshipor situation. In the case of a job loss there maybe some relief of leaving a job that was highly stressfulbut also the heartbreak of leaving behind relationshipswith students, parents, or colleagues. Also questioningwhat might have been if there had been a chance toremain in the position may be difficult to face.Some of us vent anger towards others or at somethingwe feel has created our pain and loss. We may feelthat life is unfair and may doubt or lose our faiththe bulletin 24 june 2000
Page 1 and 2: NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR TEACHERS
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTSLETTERSFeatures12 From the
Page 5 and 6: ON LOCATIONWHITBOURNECareer Fair a
Page 8 and 9: ONLOCATIONEdward HancockNLTA staff
Page 10: ONLOCATIONONTARIOOntario teaching c
Page 13: FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORThe Year
Page 16 and 17: HATSOFF!PRIME MINISTER’S AWARDS F
Page 18 and 19: PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENTMy Internshi
Page 20 and 21: PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENTTHE YOUTH MA
Page 24 and 25: LIVINGWELLbecause life has dealt us
Page 26 and 27: RESEARCHPeter was eight years old a
Page 28 and 29: FOR YOUR INFORMATIONIreland, Liecht
Page 31: UPCOMING FROM THE EDITOR EVENTSCALE

June/2000 - Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association

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