Dear Parents,

Last week, our staff had the pleasure of attending the Edvance Teachers’ Convention. One of the guest speakers, Curt Thompson M.D., challenged our way of thinking about vulnerability, brokenness, and creating beauty. As a psychiatrist who is Christian, Dr. Thompson offers a unique perspective rooted in science and spirituality.

He shared that much of what we experience comes from what is deeply rooted within us. Part of this goes back to the foundational principles that we can find in Genesis 1 and 2. God formed the universe out of chaos and shaped into a peaceful, beautiful place. Moreover, God created us in His own image and called us into relationship with Himself and others. He also made us to be vulnerable beings that rely on sharing the details of our lives with others. As we open up to others about the struggles and brokenness we encounter, only then can we experience growth and create new, beautiful things.

As teachers and parents, this has a dual value. We want to be able to live out of a place of peace in our lives and create beautiful experiences for our children and students. Furthermore, we want to enable our children to share their own stories and create a safe climate where being vulnerable is encouraged.

If you would like to learn more about this, you can check out Dr. Thompson’s website or pick up a copy of his books, The Anatomy of the Soul and The Soul of Shame.

Blessings,
J-D Lussier, Principal