Back to Our Classrooms… Students First

We’ve been back in our school communities since the end of October, and even after a few weeks, the return still feels layered.

There’s been relief, frustration, gratitude, and a whole lot of reflection following the government’s use of the Notwithstanding Clause.

But even through the tension and uncertainty, we showed up.

Because at the heart of everything we do, it has always been about the students.

Their energy. Their laughter. Their curiosity.

Their need for connection, guidance, consistency, and care.

None of that has ever been in question.

As the days settle into routine again, I find myself wondering:

Do we jump right back into full-throttle school life?

Or do we pause long enough to ask what this return means for us—our energy, our boundaries, our own well-being?

For those of us in experiential and outdoor education, our classrooms don’t sit still.

They exist on sports fields, forest trails, gym floors, snow-covered schoolyards, and places where learning is felt before it’s written down.

And here’s the truth many may not fully see—

we need these experiences just as much as our students do.

Sometimes, maybe even more.

Because in the movement, the shared adventure, the laughter, and even the challenges,

we find our grounding again.

We reconnect with purpose.

We remember why this work matters—not just to them, but to us.

And from that place, we can continue to give the best of ourselves to our students, our colleagues, and this community we care so deeply about.

“When the trail feels uncertain, return to your compass—your values, your community, and your purpose. They’ll always point you back toward true north.”

— Mentorship in the Wild