National Thank a Teacher Day

National Thank a Teacher Day is an annual celebration of teachers and support staff across early years settings, schools and colleges. The first Tuesday in May starts a week of recognition and thanks to our teachers.

This day invites us to consider the many teachers in our lives who were so instrumental in helping to shape the kind of people we are today. It’s an opportunity to take a trip down memory lane highlighting the various grades we attended, and ask ourselves: Who was my favourite teacher in my primary grades? In my high school years? In College or University?

And what constitutes a “favourite” teacher? A listening ear when it seems nobody else has time? Perhaps it is seen in a teacher who patiently goes over a concept again and again in a way that is respectful and not demeaning to the learner. What of the great patience when an unruly student “acts out” in class? Understanding and compassion - a “little bit of honey”, laced with a sense of justice and meted out in just the right proportions, brings “acting out” to a whole new level.

Let’s hear from some grateful wee ones: (Preschool and Kindergarten)

Preschool & Kindergarten

  • Thank you for teaching me my ABCs and making learning so fun!

  • I love story time and singing with you. You’re the best teacher ever!

  • Thank you for helping me tie my shoes and sharing your stickers!

  • You make school so much fun! I love coming to class every day.

  • Thanks for always smiling and making me feel special

from Elementary School pupils:

  • Thank you for making math easy and fun! You are the best!

  • I love how you always make time to help us. You are so kind!

  • You make learning fun with all your cool projects. Thank you!

  • Thank you for believing in me and helping me do my best!

  • I love being in your class! You are the best teacher ever!

From Middle School students

  • Thank you for helping me understand things when I struggle.

  • Your class is my favorite because you make learning exciting!

  • I really appreciate how patient and kind you are to everyone.

  • Thank you for always encouraging me to do my best!

  • You make a big difference in our lives, and I’m so grateful for you!

From High School students:

  • Thank you for inspiring me to love learning and work hard!

  • I really appreciate your support and the way you believe in me.

  • Your lessons go beyond the classroom and prepare us for life.

  • You make even the hardest subjects easier to understand—thank you!

  • Thanks for always challenging us to be our best and never give up!

From College students

  • Thank you for your guidance and for pushing me to think critically.

  • Your passion for teaching makes a huge impact on students like me.

  • I appreciate the extra time you spend helping me succeed.

  • You’ve helped me grow not just as a student, but as a person.

  • Thank you for your mentorship—it means the world to me!

When we can express sincere gratitude, we open our hearts to not taking anything in life for granted.  Depending on your own state in life right now, what would you want to say to your favourite teacher?

-Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj

Images courtesy of Unsplash: Jess Bailey/ Element5 Digital/ Aaron Burden/

A Soul Map

I often find unexpected spiritual inspiration in the world around me, even in something as seemingly mundane as a commercial tagline. Recently, Mazda Motors’ simple phrase, “Move and be moved,” struck a chord with me.  Four simple words promoted a fresh reflection on our community’s current congregational direction statement: “Moving with Love.”

Let me offer its wording to you before I continue sharing my thoughts.

“Moving With Love”
Immersed in Life and Love
we embrace this moment of possibility
as a graced path to Transformation.
Listening to God, to the universe, to the world’s pulse,
we trust that healing and whole-making energies

are released in ourselves and the planet,

as we commit to valuing diversity
in our witnessing, listening and discerning,
everyday caring and conversing,
our partnering and advocating,
risk-taking and justice-making.

Direction Statement: Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 2021-2025

It has been my experience that each of our congregational direction statements, like this one, always seem to carry a quality of the now and the not yet. “Moving With Love” is not only a declaration of our mission but beckons us forward on a communal and personal journey. Words committing us to embark on a sacred walk that is evolving, always in progress, and never quite complete.

Personally, the phrases of Moving with Love, have become more than just a directional guide for our community, they have become a soul map and a spiritual checklist for me. Moving With Love invites me to assess the manner in which I move through this world.

Am I tuned into the pulse of God?

 Am I listening to others deeply today?

Where have I witnessed the sacred in the ordinary?

  Am I risk-taking and justice-making?

Not rhetorical questions, but daily invitations to live more fully, more lovingly, and more intentionally.

Sure, Mazda likely meant something entirely different when it said, “Move and be moved,” but the Spirit finds ways to speak through all things.

May we continue to move and be moved with love as our map and transformation as our path.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’
”
— Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Be Seen. Be Heard. Be part of the Change.

“The act of voting is the most important act a citizen can perform in a democracy.”
— Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer from 1990 to 2007

Many young Canadians, sadly, have not been exercising their right to vote. In the last three federal elections, 2015, 2019, and 2021, voter turnout among eligible voters, ages 18 to 24, has declined. In fact, this age group had the lowest turnout of all voter demographics in the 2021 federal election. These trends are concerning and do not bode well for the future of engaged citizenship.

According to Elections Canada’s 2015 National Youth Survey, many young people feel that their voting will not make a difference. They also believe that the government does not care about their views. On top of that, young voters are often less informed about how to register and vote, and many perceive the process as confusing, difficult or not pertinent to their lives.

Despite this, today’s youth, in this election, form the largest voting bloc in Canada. This gives them a powerful voice and one that politicians cannot afford to ignore. They have the decision-making power to play a decisive role in shaping the next federal government, but only if they show up and cast their ballots.

If you are part of the over-fifty crowd, like me, where more than two-thirds of us typically vote, we have a role to play too. We can encourage first-time and younger voters to make their voices heard by participating in the 2025 federal election.

Let us help our newest, younger voters understand how to register, where and when to vote, and why their participation matters. More than ever this time around the front burner issues, cost of living, housing affordability, and labour and employment concerns directly relate to their days ahead. Let us clearly, kindly message all eligible voters:

Do not sit this one out.
Be heard. Be seen. Be part of the change.

No matter which party you support or who ultimately wins, elections shape our future. Civic participation by voting is one of our most powerful ways to influence what comes next.

 -Sister Nancy Wales, csj

Sources: https://electionsanddemocracy.ca/elections-numbers-0/table-voter-turnout-age-group

https://www.ctvnews.ca/federal-election-2025/article/heres-why-young-voters-could-tip-the-federal-election/

 Images: Unsplash/Glen Carrie, Phil Scroggs