Peaks and Valleys

As I was landing in Toronto on October 22nd, the news from Ottawa was penetrating every communication medium – Twitter, FaceBook, television, and radio lit up with the terrible news. I was attending the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) Conference in the Muskoka region of Ontario. On my drive from the airport to the hotel, radio pundits from all over the country were analyzing, second guessing, and critiquing every detail. During the 2.5 hour journey, I listened to a wide range of opinion - “We should not allow access to Parliament”…”We should pull out of the battle against ISIS”…”Who is the blame for this event?” A few days before in Quebec, two soldiers were struck by a vehicle. Two days after the incident in Ottawa, a popular Grade 9 student at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Washington State opened fire on his classmates and staff. These three events rocked us all and provide important points of reflection. Emotion is a wonderful sensation and has an important place in the human experience; it does, however, need to be carefully managed during times of challenge. Over-reacting and making grandiose statements that are wrapped in emotion can be regrettable. We all have our moments of challenge and react differently. When things become difficult, leaders need to create calm in a sea of adversity. A measured, thoughtful, and balanced approach enables better decision making and provides stability. When I returned, I spoke with our school leaders - faculty, staff, and students - about our role as leaders. We are shaken yet determined to be there for our community. I hope Canada’s leaders, too, take a calm, measured approach: the rest of the nation and the world is watching. Mr. Bud Patel, Head of School