Time for Thanks!

As school gets back into full swing this week I'd like to mention the one teacher who probably had the biggest impact during my school days. Her name was Ms Pisani.

Ms Pisani was My Grade 4 teacher who encouraged me to read above my level, introduced me to The Beatles, taught us how to write caligraphy, and led me to have a fascination with Japan. (No, Ms Pisani wasn't Japanese, she led a very insightful unit on the country and culture that sticks with me to this day!)

Reading: I remember Ms Pisani suggesting some books from the Scholastic Book Club for my parents to consider ordering for me. I also remember my parents going on to order all of them! Needless to say I was kept busy reading (and out of trouble) for a long time! Since then I've read a nice variety of books ranging from classics such as Homer's The Odyssey, to a series of historical romance novels, to a book all about foam.

Beatles: Ok, I'm sure that my parents had mixed in some Beatles with their Roger Whittaker, The Carpenters, and John Michel Jarre collection, however when a teacher introduces you to some music it is always going to be way more cool than anything your parents have! An early introduction to the Fab Four along with my brother's affinity for heavy metal and a touch of the beautiful sounds of from prayer songs in Khane, have led my concert ticket stub collection to include everything from Bjork to Yusuf!

Calligraphy: Ok, so my handwriting sucks, that's not the point. Learning how to write calligraphy, taught me the importance of clear and efficient communication, along with an appreciation for the effort that goes into making something look nice and presentable. Now there will be those who contest the clarity and efficiency of my communication style, along with my sense of 'nice and presentable', again that's not the point.

Japan: I clearly remember learning about Sumo wrestling, Haikus, Mount Fuji, and a strong desire to someday visit the land of the Rising Sun. Twenty-one years later I finally got the chance to visit and had the time of my life eating fresh sushi and horse, watching a baseball game, hearing monks chant, etc. I can't wait to go back!

To this day I still read, attend more music concerts than most, have poor penmanship, and after fulfilling a 20 year desire to visit Tokyo, I look forward to exploring the next piece of culture around the corner. There are many more teachers along the way who have influenced my thoughts and outlooks on life, but Ms Pisani helped set the groundwork, and for that I am truly grateful and at some point, hope to thank her in person.

PS - For my friends going back to school this week, congratulations for being great teachers and having the opportunity to set some great young minds into forward and positive motion. You all are truly awesome!