Summer is a Season of Growth and Reinvention

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

I am really enjoying this summer. For the first time since 2019, I have taken a step back from working the summer in Summer School (though I am still supporting the programs) and I am enjoying having a more laid-back break. With the heat and the sun filling our days with warmth and light, I can’t help but feel that summer is the perfect season for growth and reinvention. It’s a time when everything seems to slow down just enough for us to catch our breath, reflect on where we’ve been, and imagine where we might go next. This summer, I find myself at the crossroads of significant changes and new beginnings, both in my personal and professional life.

One of the most poignant aspects of summer for me is watching my children grow older. Each year, as the school year ends and the summer days stretch ahead, I see more clearly how they are evolving into their own unique individuals. This summer, my children are at significant new stages, with one now a high-school graduate and the other finished grade nine, and they are more eager than ever to explore their independence, spend time with friends, and carve out their own adventures. This past weekend we celebrated Pride in London, and my wife and I attended the parade for the first time in many years without any kids. Years ago they were eager to get dressed in brightly coloured t-shirts and march as a family, waving and shouting “Happy Pride” to smiling onlookers. This year, one was working and the other asked if it would be okay for her to hang out with a friend she hadn’t seen in a while instead. It’s a bittersweet feeling, witnessing their desire to spread their wings. On one hand, I’m immensely proud of their growth and the confident, curious young people they are becoming. On the other hand, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the days when they were smaller and needed me more.

This shift in our family dynamic has prompted me to reflect on my own journey and the changes I’m experiencing. Professionally, I am transitioning from my work as Principal in Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education, having been a Secondary Principal before that, to taking on the role of an Elementary School Principal. It’s a significant shift, one that comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities for growth. I have never worked in the Elementary panel before and the shift is both exciting and a little overwhelming. Moving from overseeing older students and witnessing the end of their K-12 (and beyond) journey, to nurturing the youngest members of our educational community as they begin this adventure into learning is a change that I am embracing wholeheartedly.

To prepare for this new role, I have immersed myself in learning. I have been doing a lot of reading, talking with Elementary Principal colleagues and spending time learning the nuances of the day-to-day routines and rhythms of the Elementary school. I am learning about my new school community and all the wonderful ways they are leading and contributing to their community. I am preparing for the return of students who have spent all their school lives at this school, and getting ready to welcome the ones who will have their very first day at school. What an incredible opportunity to experience every phase of a student’s journey, from the first day to graduation or the return to learning after a time experiencing life. Every day brings a new lesson, a new insight, and a renewed sense of purpose. This process of learning and preparation has been invigorating. It reminds me that growth often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown with an open heart and a curious mind.

Summer is also a time when gardens flourish and routines change. In my own garden, I see the tangible results of nurturing and care. The flowers bloom, the vegetables ripen (though not as quickly as I would like…patience, Christine), and the entire space transforms into a vibrant, living testament to the power of growth. Tending to my garden has become a metaphor for my own personal and professional journey. Just as the plants need sunlight, water, and attention to thrive, so do we. We need to nourish our minds and souls, seek out new experiences, and allow ourselves the time and space to grow.

With the changing routines of summer, there is also an opportunity to reset and recharge. The slower pace of life, the longer days, and the break from the usual hustle and bustle provide a perfect backdrop for reflection and reinvention. I have found joy in simple pleasures like reading, spending time with my wife and my kids (when they are home), creating in my pottery studio and catching up with friends. I am looking forward to attending the P!nk concern in August with people who feed my soul and hopefully completing some jobs in my house that have been needing my attention. These moments of pause and reflection are essential for growth. They allow us to reconnect with ourselves, reassess our goals, and set new intentions for the future.

As I navigate these changes, I need to remember the importance of being kind to myself. Growth is not always a linear process, and there are bound to be bumps along the way. But each challenge presents an opportunity to learn and evolve. Embracing a growth mindset, where we see obstacles as opportunities and failures as lessons, is crucial. It’s about celebrating progress, no matter how small, and staying committed to the journey of self-improvement.

The beauty of summer is that it provides the perfect environment for this growth and reinvention. The long, sunny days and warm evenings create a sense of possibility and hope. The natural world around us is in a constant state of growth and renewal, reminding us that we too can flourish and transform.

Standing at the threshold of these new experiences, I feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. I am ready to embrace the changes, to continue learning, and to grow in ways I never thought possible. This summer is not just a season; it is a metaphor for the potential within all of us to reinvent ourselves, to pursue our passions, and to create the life we envision.

So, as we soak in the beauty and warmth of this summer season, I invite you to reflect on your own journey. How are you growing this summer? What changes are you embracing, and what new paths are you exploring? Whether it’s in your personal life, your career, or your hobbies, take this time to nurture your growth and embrace the endless possibilities that summer brings.