2 Years and Counting - Teacher Goals for 2018

Today, January 1st, 2018, marks 2 years since the day we announced the opening of Via Vita Academy. 

2 years! Wow! 

Via Vita has grown from just an idea, well, suggestion really, from some very special people, to now an operating school filled with families, students, and teachers -  even more special people! The parents who have came through our doors, the students who have participated in our programs, the children whose faces we've painted, those who've chatted on the phone with us, met us at events, donated supplies, shared our information, shook our hands, liked our posts, recommended us to a friend, checked out our website, or even asked us how we're doing - we are forever grateful. It all supported us through the birth of Via Vita and continues to support us as we find our place in the community, Where we've come from and what we are today has shaped so much of who we are, our values and goals. 

Even through the busy times of school assignments, report cards, field trips, lunch duties, meetings, enrolment, and growing lists of administration  tasks can leave us feeling swamped and stressed, we honestly, really, truly, it might sound crazy, but we really mean it - we wouldn't trade it for a thing! Opening this school took much planning, and with that, much anticipation for these busy times. The work is, and continues to be, a labour of love. The day we signed the dotted line, marking the beginning of Via Vita Academy Ltd. as a real, functioning "thing", we made a conscious decision to change our lives, and with that, hopefully, the lives of many families to come.

It has been nothing short of amazing. Copious amounts of work, but amazing and extraordinarily rewarding. 2 years ago and onward, we knew there was nowhere to look but forward, As educators, employers, colleagues, business partners, parents, and friends - we set our focus forward, with the support of so many wonderful individuals.

Somehow, magically, along the way, we also found teachers who agree and put in 110% every day.  Their dedication is unmatched and truly enables our school to stand strong. Even on their holiday break, they stepped up, offering us this tidbit to post today. When asked to help us write a New Year's Day post, they produced something truly heartwarming and inspiring, setting us up right for 2018. 

So, we give you this, from our current staff of 6 Via Vita Teachers, looking forward to 2018 with goals and learnings for ourselves and our students. Education is our passion; learning is our life. Here's to a year of kindness, joy, more learning, and mutual support!

Can you guess who wrote each one?

In 2018, my wish for my students...

To continue fostering relationships with each other, spreading kindness, developing their love of learning, and discovering who they are. 

To expand upon the approaches to learning that we have explored together--through questioning, and a shared willingness to understand more about our world.

To find excitement in new activities and persevere when things become challenging. 

To learn more about the world and themselves.

To continue discovering just how unique and amazing they are, and that they are each so, so important. 

To continue to develop their sense of wonder and to never stop questioning.


In 2018, my wish for my teaching...

To grow and adapt as I learn with my students.

To inspire both my students and myself to build upon--or perhaps add to--our individual skill-sets.

To inspire my students to create their own path and take risks along the way. 

To be informative, engaging, and fun!

To be reflective of my growing appreciation for each of my students. I wish for my teaching to be ever more patient, engaging, and inspiring, for my students and my colleagues.

To continue to grow and develop with the students we have at our school.


In 2018, I plan...

To learn even more about my students, so that I can best serve them both academically and emotionally. 

To read more than I have for many years before; gotta practice what I teach!

To find the fun in ordinary tasks

To organize my desk so I don’t drive Ms. Yolanda crazy!

To roll with it! Well, try to at least! 

To set realistic goals, and to not procrastinate so much, so I should get on setting those goals… since it is now 2018!

In 2017, I learned...

That once in a while the plan needs to be scrapped in order to meet the needs of the students in the moment. Sometimes what students learn from those “teachable moments” is much more important that what you had originally planned for the class.

That I can teach as much by listening as I can by speaking.

To be flexible and let my students lead the way.

To appreciate more opportunities to learn outside of the classroom.

To take it day by day, enjoying the little things! 

That I am not a spring chicken, and I need to get more sleep!


Happy New Year, Everyone! Welcome to 2018! ​