When I first started working at The York School, I recall mentioning in my interview just how much I loved being involved in developing student leadership. I guess they remembered…
My love of leadership started because it was probably the one of the main aspects of my own high school experience that I enjoyed. It then grew as I worked on and eventually led the leadership conference at McMaster University.
I’m a huge fan of tradition! I appreciate implementing and participating in traditions but I also love being a part of creating new ones. I love the “ra-ra” aspect of school spirit – houses or clans, team colours, challenges and cheers.
Four years ago, Mr. Hamilton, the Head of the Upper School, asked me if I wanted to help out with the House Council and I couldn’t wait for the opportunity! Since the moment I started, I’ve had the chance to facilitate and perpetuate traditions that the students created including:
- new house challenges, such as Twister and Liar’s Club
- school dances, such as Unplugged, Semi-Formals and Proms
- Impulse fashion show and coffee houses
- and so much more…
Every year, a new group of kids enters the ranks of the House Council. They are always fired up and ready to go, motivated to bring school spirit to the forefront and inspired to leave a legacy beyond their own graduating year. For the past four years, it has been my absolute pleasure to participate in the experience, to support them and cheer them on.
I’ve learned and shared quite a few insights from my experience with House Council, as I hope the kids have as well, but some of the memorable ones include:
- Planning is essential. Advanced planning is preferred. And as the saying goes…”Your inability to plan does not constitute an emergency on my part.“
- Say please and thank you. It goes a LONG way.
- There is no shame in asking for help.
- There is an etiquette to sending e-mails to the student body and the Faculty. Follow it closely. You will accomplish more that way.
- Your goal is to get everyone to participate. This will not always happen. Do not get discouraged. Keep trying.
- The Council is made up of your friends, however as with all friendships, there will be days when you will dislike them intensely.
- An idea does not belong to a single individual. Share it. Believe me when I say that it is likely to be enhanced by the contributions of others.
- Stand united. You will all succeed together or you will all fail together. The choice is up to you, all of you, together.
- Take pride in what you accomplish. You have worked hard to obtain it and you deserve the praise and the credit.
- Be sure to also take time to recognize your faults and find ways to improve.
Most people have asked why it is that I’m stepping away from the House Council, especially if I love what I do so much. My decision is rooted in change. Everything in life changes. If we don’t change, then we get used to doing the same things over and over and we stagnate. We never step outside of what we know and what we’re comfortable with and then we never have the chance to learn what we are capable of. As fearful as the experience of trying something new is, change must occur so that we can learn and grow.
Some have asked if I’ll come back to the House Council. To be honest, I would have come back the moment I made my decision to take a step back. However, I will leave that door open and see where the winds of change blow me. If and when I have something new and important to share, I’m sure I will head in that direction again.
You see, being a Faculty member at this school presents us with unique opportunities to coach, motivate and inspire outside of the classroom. It enables us to step into roles that make us become more than just the math teacher at the front of the classroom (though I do love that role as well). It provides us with challenges that we must face, even when we may initially think we are not ready to take them on, goals that we must set for ourselves and for others, and examples that we would like to make of ourselves that our own students can look to.
It is with a sincere heart that I say thank you to all the students I’ve had the pleasure of working with on the House Council. I treasure all of the memories that you’ve made, all of the traditions you’ve carried on and all of the new ones you’ve created. I am so very proud of your accomplishments and your spirit.
Thank you for letting me be a part of it.
Remtulla
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