Over the last few days I’ve been thinking about my Greek Mythology class from my time as an undergraduate student at the University of Winnipeg. In part, because one of the myths we studied centered around Demeter and Persephone, and how the ancient world understood the changing of seasons from Fall into Winter, and then from Winter into Spring. As our Spring in the Western Hemisphere began this past weekend, so too does a season full of metaphors around starting over, resetting, new learning and growth. 

This is also perhaps more relevant this year than at other points in many of our lives. In fact, as I think back over my story, the word “learner” has played an important part in every chapter. Some of my earliest memories of school include excitement at visiting libraries and museums, learning about history and in turn regaling my parents with tales of said learning at the dinner table. This zest for learning continued all the way through school, and still does!

This brings me to the second, but more important reason my Greek Mythology course comes to mind – the amazing woman who taught it – Dr. Jane Cahill.

In the first class and from the moment she started speaking, there was a passion, a presence and an excitement that she brought to teaching that I had never experienced as a student. The way she told stories, spoke as an orator, brought in anecdotes, set-up the learning environment and gave her students the creativity to make assignments meaningful – all of it was mesmerizing to my then 19-year-old self. It was in this moment that I truly understood the power of storytelling in teaching and this became foundational to who I am as a person and educator, and the zest and excitement that I travel through life with.

In thinking about all we have navigated over the last two years and as we welcome the Spring, there are many things the myth of Persephone can remind us. These include our strength and resilience as people, the power that comes from love and relationships, the importance of compassion, and the ability to learn from our mistakes individually and collectively.

And so, this week I leave you with three questions to ponder:
   • What is something you want to hit the “reset” button on or make a change to?
   • What is something you’ve learned over the last two years about yourself or our world?
   • What is something new you’re excited to learn about or to grow your knowledge in?