True Colours

While in teacher's college, I was a part of our faculty's annual musical. Not only did it give me something to do while I was away from home, but it allowed me to go outside of my comfort zone - in terms of meeting people, and just exploring different aspects of art. Growing up, I didn't have the opportunities to explore things like dance, visual arts or drama. The only art I knew was music, and my knowledge of different types of artistic expression ended there. I had not given any of the alternatives a second thought either, since I just saw them as weird...

 Somehow, this preconceived notion of other artistic forms infultrated my brain, and I had never challenged it. As a teacher, it is important to allow each student to meet their maximum potential. This means not limiting a students knowledge to what can be expressed on pen and paper, and truly valuing what each student or person brings into the classroom! It is often said that school teaches you to conform to both societal and social norms, negating anything that is considered an anomaly. We put a cap on creativity and acceptability.

 Unfortunately, the belief that students can only be successful if demonstrated in a certain way, translates to how they act and view themselves on the acceptability spectrum. For example, if a student dresses differently than what is viewed as cool, they are seen as the anomaly, and in turn is outcasted regardless of other strengths. As sad as this sounds, it is the reality for many kids while growing up. 

During our musical, we did a choral rendition of "True Colours" that accompanied a powerful bullying scene - which really reminded us all of how tough growing up can be. Kids Help Phone partnered with several celebrity musicians to create this collaborative public service announcement of True Colours to remind us to be accepting of everyone. And to see and cherish the beauty that each person brings to life - regardless of their differences.

 
 Be Kind.