I'll tell you how. Give yourself a crash course in a highly debated topic you only know a gloss about. My head is pretty much blown after too many hours of research. I'm in a bit of a lull in the PDP program, so my brain is being occupied by other things. This evening, it's been the Supreme Court's recent decision in favour of the BC Supreme Court against the federal government regarding criminal code exemption affecting the operation of Insite, Vancouver's safe injection site.
Let me rewind, and provide you with some relevant information, in case I caught you unawares--in layman's terms. Insite opened in 2003, as a pilot project brought to you by our then Liberal government. Because it was a pilot project in nature, it was given a three 3 "criminal code exemption". Essentially, this meant that addicts living on the downtown easide (DTES) of Vancouver were legally exempt to inject themselves with illegally purchased drugs, the hope being that providing drug users with a clean, sterile environment with which to shoot themselves up would reinforce one pillar of the four pillars drug strategy: harm reduction--the other four being prevention, treatment, and enforcement. Harm reduction is principally concerned with, in the case of Insite, reducing the spread of HIV and hepatitis, and reducing the incidences of overdoses, fatal or otherwise.
In 2006, a minority Conservative government, specifically Health Minister Tony Clement, granted Insite a temporary exemption to keep operating, until the Ministry of Health could make an informed decision about it's continued operation. Eventually, Clement refused to extend its exemption. In response, the BC Supreme Court heard and found in favour of a constitutional challenge to keep Insite open because (and here I quote the Wikipedia entry for Insite...gasp!) "laws prohibiting possession and trafficking of drugs were unconstitutional because they denied drug users access to Insite's health services". This is the decision that the Supreme Court recently upheld.
Essentially, the claiments stated that the government's refusal maintain Insite's exemption from the laws of the Controlled Drugs and Services Act, or CDSA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_Drugs_and_Substances_Act), was a violation of section seven of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_Seven_of_the_Canadian_Charter_of_Rights_and_Freedoms), and that, alternatively the application of the laws of the CDSA to Insite violates the rights layed out in the Charter in the first place, the exemption notwithstanding. These arguments anger me and boggle my mind at the same time. It seems a circular argument because of how quickly a "pilot project privilege", for extreme lack of a better term, becomes a "right", no better term lacking. I'm still working my way through the Supreme Court's online publication of the case (http://scc.lexum.org/en/2011/2011scc44/2011scc44.html). Though I haven't read it in its entirety, it strikes me that much of the argumentation used in this case revolves around Insites supposed successes: lowered HIV rates, overdoses, etc, and not whether or not denying exemption violates section seven of the Charter.
So far, I haven't even gotten too deeply into the biblical argumentation. When it comes to addiction, the Bible's conclusion is clear, extapolating alcoholism to cover drug addictions (1 Cor 6 verse 10: "...nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God"). In this light, the Bible condemns such a facility as Insite, as it provides a haven for those who persist in addiction to shoot up and resume that addiction. The Bible might say that Insite doesn't do enough to rehabilitate addicts, though the notion of "rehabilitation" might open up the addiction as a sin vs. addiction as a disease debate--one that would take a whole other blog, or book, to tackle, and one that I don't feel sufficiently prepared to take on.
Anyways, I'm tired, and I've probably left you with more questions than answers. My own mind is spinning like mad, and I think I'm only depressing myself. Thoughts, anyone? Resources to pass on, especially concerning biblical perspectives surrounding such an issue?
**editor's note: rest assured that though I did publish a couple of Wikipedia articles for you to check out, my research ventured outside that realm ;). I posted the links so that you could have a brief crash course in certain isolated topics :).
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Checkpoint One
First off, I'll get the ritual apology in to those who were expecting more frequent updates. I've been journaling about my experiences in PDP, just not blogging about them. So much has been happening, but I'll give you the short version.
We have the most incredible module. PDP hopefuls, do what you can to ensure you're placed in the Fraser Valley module. Two reasons for this: first off, at 16 people, it's half the size of most other PDP modules. Second, our classroom is in the midst of other high school classrooms, just waiting to be explored! The small module makes for a much more personable atmosphere. Already, strong bonds have been created among us. Last week, we attended a symposium at the Surrey campus, along with a module of 32 based out of that campus. The difference was night and day! Some in that module didn't even know the others' names.
Classroom observations have been a HUGE advantage. Most days we get a whole block to pester other teachers in the school and check out their classrooms. So far, I've done a survey of the English department, checked out the AVID program, and visited a Carpentry class for fun. The AVID program was particularly cool to see. Essentially, it's a Planning, Grad Transitions, or CAPP course on steroids--except the students actually buy into it, rather than assume the typical "it's a joke" mindset. It puts them on the fast track to preparing for university, and the kids want to be there. In fact, they are interviewed before they are even admitted into the program, which in ideal scenario, runs from grade 9-12 for each student, though some enter it later on in high school.
Classroom discussions have proved to be invaluable so far. Usually in response to assigned readings, much discussion arises from classroom observations as well. In the end, it's all important. What better way to develop our skills and methodologies than to bounce ideas off and share observations with other prospective teachers?
A look ahead: we just received our practicum placements. For practicums, we have a 2 week stint at the end of October, a 3 week stint in November\December, all leading up to the main practicum in January. Barring any arising issues, all should be in the same place. I was placed at Robert Bateman Secondary in Abbotsford, less than 15 minutes from my house! Of course I did some digging and emailed my practicum supervisor--never too early to suck up, right? Also, I found out that their junior boys basketball team is coached by none other than the iconic Barry Stewart. You may not know him, but it's a big deal for me. We're encouraged to get involved in extra-curricular activities, and basketball is a natural fit for me. I was euphoric when I saw Barry's name on the web page. He's run basketball camps and leagues in Abbotsford for more than 20 years, and has been coaching and been involved in high school sport for more than 40! I've been to his basketball camps. I managed to find some contact information and, a little starstruck, picked up the phone. He was more than willing to chat...and chat...and chat. A very personable old man. We didn't just talk basketball, either (though he assured me he was going to work at getting me a coaching position). He sang the praises of the school, and highlighted a few faculty members to get in touch with, only stopping because he'd have been in trouble with his wife otherwise. So cool how such a fruitful interaction came about just because I dared to pick up the phone and call him up. It made me all the more excited.
That pretty much gets you up to speed, in a broad sense. There's SO much more to tell, but it would occupy too much space--and time, more importantly. If you want to know more, just ask. It'd be much easier to relate over a cup of coffee ;)
We have the most incredible module. PDP hopefuls, do what you can to ensure you're placed in the Fraser Valley module. Two reasons for this: first off, at 16 people, it's half the size of most other PDP modules. Second, our classroom is in the midst of other high school classrooms, just waiting to be explored! The small module makes for a much more personable atmosphere. Already, strong bonds have been created among us. Last week, we attended a symposium at the Surrey campus, along with a module of 32 based out of that campus. The difference was night and day! Some in that module didn't even know the others' names.
Classroom observations have been a HUGE advantage. Most days we get a whole block to pester other teachers in the school and check out their classrooms. So far, I've done a survey of the English department, checked out the AVID program, and visited a Carpentry class for fun. The AVID program was particularly cool to see. Essentially, it's a Planning, Grad Transitions, or CAPP course on steroids--except the students actually buy into it, rather than assume the typical "it's a joke" mindset. It puts them on the fast track to preparing for university, and the kids want to be there. In fact, they are interviewed before they are even admitted into the program, which in ideal scenario, runs from grade 9-12 for each student, though some enter it later on in high school.
Classroom discussions have proved to be invaluable so far. Usually in response to assigned readings, much discussion arises from classroom observations as well. In the end, it's all important. What better way to develop our skills and methodologies than to bounce ideas off and share observations with other prospective teachers?
A look ahead: we just received our practicum placements. For practicums, we have a 2 week stint at the end of October, a 3 week stint in November\December, all leading up to the main practicum in January. Barring any arising issues, all should be in the same place. I was placed at Robert Bateman Secondary in Abbotsford, less than 15 minutes from my house! Of course I did some digging and emailed my practicum supervisor--never too early to suck up, right? Also, I found out that their junior boys basketball team is coached by none other than the iconic Barry Stewart. You may not know him, but it's a big deal for me. We're encouraged to get involved in extra-curricular activities, and basketball is a natural fit for me. I was euphoric when I saw Barry's name on the web page. He's run basketball camps and leagues in Abbotsford for more than 20 years, and has been coaching and been involved in high school sport for more than 40! I've been to his basketball camps. I managed to find some contact information and, a little starstruck, picked up the phone. He was more than willing to chat...and chat...and chat. A very personable old man. We didn't just talk basketball, either (though he assured me he was going to work at getting me a coaching position). He sang the praises of the school, and highlighted a few faculty members to get in touch with, only stopping because he'd have been in trouble with his wife otherwise. So cool how such a fruitful interaction came about just because I dared to pick up the phone and call him up. It made me all the more excited.
That pretty much gets you up to speed, in a broad sense. There's SO much more to tell, but it would occupy too much space--and time, more importantly. If you want to know more, just ask. It'd be much easier to relate over a cup of coffee ;)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
staying power
So often, I come across songs that I love at first. Sometimes, I'll listen to them repeatedly for days on end, sometimes weeks on end. Rarely, though, do they last. Most music has a shelf life for me. Eventually, I've pondered all the lyrics and appreciated all the nuances of the melody. This song, though, refuses to go away. It's been going strong for years now.
What songs have "staying power" for you?
What songs have "staying power" for you?
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
this is IT
It is. I'm in it now. The culmination of four years of undergraduate study, though I likely would have stamped "CRAZY" on your forehead had you told me it would all eventually lead to entering the teaching program. It hasn't really hit home yet. Three days isn't nearly enough time to realize you're part of something that will alter the rest of your working life. All in all, it's been a great ride so far. There are two fellow Can Reffers in my module. It's a relief to know I won't be standing alone when we face educational issues that are at odds with our faith, as I'm quite sure we will. The group as a whole, too, is amazing. I can already tell I'm going to come out the other side having made some new friends. Once again I've started the year off organized. Dividers: check. Day planner, check. The fervant promise to myself to not have my binder turn into the catasrophe it's become in semesters past, and to actually use the day planner: check.
As part of what the education world has coined "reflective practice" (trust me, take an education course and you're guarenteed, or your money back, to hear that phrase), our instructor has told us to keep a journal to process and yes, reflect on the events of the day, the discussions our module had, and what we may or may not have learned. I've decided that some of these musings are going to make it into my blog. Not all of them. Perhaps I'll grow tired of the practice after awhile, or perhaps I'll stop for fear of boring you to death with educational theory. I'm going to give it a shot though.
The first article we've read is, to me, fluff with a side of fluff, washed down with a cool fluffy beverage. Its central premise essentially is "to teach effectively, you must first know yourself". Blech. Quote: "We must enter, not evade, the tangles of teaching so we can understand them and better negotiate them with more grace, not only to guard our own spirits but also to serve our students well". These tangles have three important sources, according to the author. The first two, the subjects and the students teachers teach, are commonplace, but the third is "rarely given its due". This third, piteously unheralded source of entanglement, of course, is our own self. Its status as source of entanglement is backed up by several lofty, unsubstantiated claims, such as:
-"When I do not know myself, I cannot know who my students are."
-"When I do not know myself, I cannot know my subject."
Yup. Rich stuff. Equally rich is the subtle plug the author manages to weasel into his piece:
"In our rush to reform education, we have forgotten a simple truth: reform will never be acheived by renewing appropriations, restructuring schools,rewriting curricula, and revising texts if we continue to deman and dishearten the human resource called the teacher on whom so much depends. Teachers must be better compensated, freed from bureaucratic harassment, given a role in academic governance, and provided with the best possible methods and materials."
I wonder how many members of the BCTF read this article? It seems many have read similar drivel, if the looming teachers' strike is any indication. Anyways, I'm growing more cynic by the minute. Perhaps it's too early in the program to be this way. I suppose it's a good thing these journals aren't being reviewed by our instructor.
As part of what the education world has coined "reflective practice" (trust me, take an education course and you're guarenteed, or your money back, to hear that phrase), our instructor has told us to keep a journal to process and yes, reflect on the events of the day, the discussions our module had, and what we may or may not have learned. I've decided that some of these musings are going to make it into my blog. Not all of them. Perhaps I'll grow tired of the practice after awhile, or perhaps I'll stop for fear of boring you to death with educational theory. I'm going to give it a shot though.
The first article we've read is, to me, fluff with a side of fluff, washed down with a cool fluffy beverage. Its central premise essentially is "to teach effectively, you must first know yourself". Blech. Quote: "We must enter, not evade, the tangles of teaching so we can understand them and better negotiate them with more grace, not only to guard our own spirits but also to serve our students well". These tangles have three important sources, according to the author. The first two, the subjects and the students teachers teach, are commonplace, but the third is "rarely given its due". This third, piteously unheralded source of entanglement, of course, is our own self. Its status as source of entanglement is backed up by several lofty, unsubstantiated claims, such as:
-"When I do not know myself, I cannot know who my students are."
-"When I do not know myself, I cannot know my subject."
Yup. Rich stuff. Equally rich is the subtle plug the author manages to weasel into his piece:
"In our rush to reform education, we have forgotten a simple truth: reform will never be acheived by renewing appropriations, restructuring schools,rewriting curricula, and revising texts if we continue to deman and dishearten the human resource called the teacher on whom so much depends. Teachers must be better compensated, freed from bureaucratic harassment, given a role in academic governance, and provided with the best possible methods and materials."
I wonder how many members of the BCTF read this article? It seems many have read similar drivel, if the looming teachers' strike is any indication. Anyways, I'm growing more cynic by the minute. Perhaps it's too early in the program to be this way. I suppose it's a good thing these journals aren't being reviewed by our instructor.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Providence
One of the things that has been occupying my thoughts, tangled as they are, of late, is the notion of providence. The thought that we've been brought to this point, this day, this home, to these parents, this line of work, built relationships with some and drifted away from others, all for a purpose--His purpose.
I dare say everybody remembers points in their lives that they can readily identify as pivotal in bringing them to the point they're at today. If you're anything like me, it mostly boils down to just one, and though the memories have faded a little, I remember most of it clearly. I was fourteen, and was in the library of my school, in Neerlandia, Alberta. I was browsing titles, when the secretary approached and said, with a noticable shake, "Brian, you need to come to the office". For fourteen year-old me, this came as a shock, my anxiety heightened by the fact that the principal also happened to be my dad. Somberly, I followed, wondering what I had done this time.
All of that vanished when I saw my dad through his office window. Instantly, I knew something was wrong. I'm going to spare the emotional details, but that was when I found out that my uncle, my dad's youngest brother, had passed away in a farming accident. My uncle, only 21 years old, only seven years separating him and me.
That was the second death that had really hit me. The first had happened only a few months earlier, when our family friends' daughter was also taken in a tragic farming accident at only three years old. They both hit me--hard. At the time, the only question that seemed plausible to ask was "why?"
It would be somewhat self-centred, and untrue, to say that these events occurred solely to lead my life down the path its taken me. They've altered others' lives as well. For me, though, came dramatic and swift change. I went from being a fourteen year old kid growing up in small-town northern alberta, to a fourteen year old kid, thrust into the Fraser Valley, moving onto the farm that my uncle had dreams of taking over from my grandparents. It's changed me. For one, living here has forced me to broaden my social horizons beyond that of a small-town Prairie kid. Some of it still remains, but, believe it or not, I was actually quite shy and reserved at one point. Since the move, I've made so many desicions that I can't help think would have been much different had I still been living in Alberta.
...which brings me to today. I was in my car--really, the place where I get most of my quality pondering done--when I realized how fourteen year old me would have laughed in my own face had I told myself I would be where I am today: twenty-two, engaged to this amazing girl, surrounded by amazing family--parents, sisters, brother, and grandparents whom I've had the opportunity to get much closer to--, finished my ENGLISH degree, and entering the teaching program. But it seldom happens where fourteen year old us can accurately predict where twenty-two year old us will be; or twenty-two year old us do the same for future us. And here I sit, making plans for the future: getting married, starting a career and a family; it's intimidating and exciting all at once. Yet, now I know full well that at any moment, our providential God could take my life and send it down a path twenty-two year old my would never see coming. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
--Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? -Matthew 6:25-27
--For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. -Jeremiah 29: 11-12
I dare say everybody remembers points in their lives that they can readily identify as pivotal in bringing them to the point they're at today. If you're anything like me, it mostly boils down to just one, and though the memories have faded a little, I remember most of it clearly. I was fourteen, and was in the library of my school, in Neerlandia, Alberta. I was browsing titles, when the secretary approached and said, with a noticable shake, "Brian, you need to come to the office". For fourteen year-old me, this came as a shock, my anxiety heightened by the fact that the principal also happened to be my dad. Somberly, I followed, wondering what I had done this time.
All of that vanished when I saw my dad through his office window. Instantly, I knew something was wrong. I'm going to spare the emotional details, but that was when I found out that my uncle, my dad's youngest brother, had passed away in a farming accident. My uncle, only 21 years old, only seven years separating him and me.
That was the second death that had really hit me. The first had happened only a few months earlier, when our family friends' daughter was also taken in a tragic farming accident at only three years old. They both hit me--hard. At the time, the only question that seemed plausible to ask was "why?"
It would be somewhat self-centred, and untrue, to say that these events occurred solely to lead my life down the path its taken me. They've altered others' lives as well. For me, though, came dramatic and swift change. I went from being a fourteen year old kid growing up in small-town northern alberta, to a fourteen year old kid, thrust into the Fraser Valley, moving onto the farm that my uncle had dreams of taking over from my grandparents. It's changed me. For one, living here has forced me to broaden my social horizons beyond that of a small-town Prairie kid. Some of it still remains, but, believe it or not, I was actually quite shy and reserved at one point. Since the move, I've made so many desicions that I can't help think would have been much different had I still been living in Alberta.
...which brings me to today. I was in my car--really, the place where I get most of my quality pondering done--when I realized how fourteen year old me would have laughed in my own face had I told myself I would be where I am today: twenty-two, engaged to this amazing girl, surrounded by amazing family--parents, sisters, brother, and grandparents whom I've had the opportunity to get much closer to--, finished my ENGLISH degree, and entering the teaching program. But it seldom happens where fourteen year old us can accurately predict where twenty-two year old us will be; or twenty-two year old us do the same for future us. And here I sit, making plans for the future: getting married, starting a career and a family; it's intimidating and exciting all at once. Yet, now I know full well that at any moment, our providential God could take my life and send it down a path twenty-two year old my would never see coming. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
--Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? -Matthew 6:25-27
--For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. -Jeremiah 29: 11-12
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Just listen...
Sometimes, when I study, I take a minute to find some good study music. Sometimes, when I take a minute to look for some good study music, I forget that it was only supposed to take a minute...
If your attention span is really short, skip to 3:25 or so.
If it's even shorter, skip to 5 minutes or so.
.....but it's really better if you listen to the whole thing, so you can appreciate the buildup to the absolutely incredible climax. It's just one of those songs that you can really get lost in.
If your attention span is really short, skip to 3:25 or so.
If it's even shorter, skip to 5 minutes or so.
.....but it's really better if you listen to the whole thing, so you can appreciate the buildup to the absolutely incredible climax. It's just one of those songs that you can really get lost in.
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