Jumping in the Bay - a Reflection

Hi everyone! 

I arrived back home in Ontario yesterday and decided to write one last blog post reflecting on my two-week residency at Pearson College.

What a trip! My purpose in returning to Pearson was to re-engage with the school, find out how it had grown/developed/changed and to give back in whatever way I could. I was also curious to try living in a Tiny House! I would say overall it was a successful trip, and I left feeling much more connected to the community and the mission, grateful for the opportunity to have helped out, and having made some lovely new connections with many students and staff.

The two weeks included a variety and abundance of activities that, in typical Pearson fashion, kept me busy and inspired. I taught group workshops in Public Speaking, Clowning, and Drama for the Campus Kids. I taught three early-morning yoga classes in the stunning new Spiritual Centre. I also gave one-on-one Public Speaking tutorials in the LLT as well as ESL tutorials, and helped out in the library, keeping it quiet and orderly. One of the highlights of the residency was participating in three separate English A classes in which I taught introductory sessions on Shakespeare’s Othello. The students were finishing up a section on famous speeches and were about to start studying Othello so I presented some insight into Shakespeare’s text from an actor’s perspective. Very fun! I also had a chance to help out in the English B classroom, working with students on their public speaking/ speech-writing assignment. I got them up on the Max Bell stage individually and gave them all sorts of tips and crazy exercises to help them animate, relax, and enjoy public speaking. 

Another highlight was sitting in on three days of One World auditions and helping out as a part of the selection committee. Things sure have changed since my time at Pearson, as the audition/selection process is now much more thorough and diplomatic. This is due in large part to the wonderful influence, initiative and guidance of the school’s theatre teacher, Libby Mason.

Special Topics day was another new and wonderful experience. Twice per term classes are cancelled for the day and replaced with a series of activities, presentations, lectures and meals based on a community-chosen topic. The Special Topics Day I attended was called “Innovation – World Changing Ideas.” There was a really interesting lecture in the Max Bell by Peter Scott, an Artificial Intelligence specialist, some intriguing documentary films, and loads of interesting activities and presentations including some crazy shelter-building project for eggs which were then dropped from a tree-top! I also had the pleasure of organizing and initiating a “silent breakfast” activity for this day. The idea being that practicing intentional silence can facilitate and add more mindfulness, presence, and sensory enjoyment to our daily lives. I put some signs up, sent some emails and at precisely 7:30am in the morning everyone in the cafeteria stopped speaking. Even the kitchen staff respectfully turned off their radio. Except for the odd giggle, silence was maintained for a full half hour. I was very impressed and several students commented afterward how much they enjoyed it. Woohoo!

Eating three meals a day in the cafeteria ensured that I stayed really engaged with the students. I tried to sit with new people each time. To my delight caf conversations are, as ever, animated, silly, passionate, and unpredictable! There was a Musical Cafe that I attended and got up the nerve to play a song on the guitar. I had learned the song as a student at Pearson and, it being a bit of a comic/spoof number, I was happy to pass it down to current students. I also had the good fortunate of joining the kayaking group on one of my final days. It was a gorgeous day and exciting to go out beyond the bay. I was, of course, a far cry from challenging Garth (the head of kayaking) to a kayak race for speed. Apparently he’s unbeatable.

And yes, the last time I left Pearson College (20 years ago) I jumped in the bay to celebrate the end of two years. So at the end of two weeks I got up early in the morning and shivered my way down onto the docks. Somchit, a 2^nd year student from Laos with a passion for film-making, came down with me to shoot the event on video, and my new pal Charlotte, a volunteer from France, also showed up to support. Thanks guys! Was it frigid? Of course! Was it awakening, thrilling and life-affirming? Yes it was…just like the Pearson College experience.

 Thanks to all who made it such a wonderful time, especially Dani who opened up her home to me. I wish all the best to Emmy and Trevor for their upcoming residencies. And, if you are an alumnus considering a residency…I highly recommend it!