A New Student Integrated Case Management Meeting Format?

Wraparound This! Last week, I had the humbling privilege of participating in my first indigenous wraparound ceremony for one of our aboriginal learners. If you are not familiar with the wraparound it is similar to a student intervention or integrated case management (ICM) meeting--community and school-based team members supporting an at-risk student come together (sans student)--to … Continue reading A New Student Integrated Case Management Meeting Format? →

Smartphones in School: My Change of Heart (of sorts)

The presence of the smartphone in public schools continues to be a hot topic among parents, teachers, and students. Last month, our school, Trafalgar Middle, put into place a two week 'digital holiday' for smartphones in all classrooms. Common areas like the hallways, cafeteria, and library remained still green zones, allowing students to use their … Continue reading Smartphones in School: My Change of Heart (of sorts) →

For the Love of Music (or How I Became a Music in Schools Advocate)

I have a confession to make. I know that I should know better. I have no excuses. Well, I guess that I could reach for ignorance. But, here is it: it was not until I recently became directly involved with our school's beginner band program that I truly appreciated the transformative power of learning a … Continue reading For the Love of Music (or How I Became a Music in Schools Advocate) →

Forever Humbled: My Students as Models for Learning

Last month, seven students in Grade 6 self-identified as having indigenous heritage, participated in a school-sponsored hand drum-making workshop. The day and a half workshop, led by our spiritual mentor, Metis elder Donna Wright, and our local knowledge-keeper Ann-Marie Smith, witnessed the students spend an entire day soaking and stretching the hides, weaving the leather strips, … Continue reading Forever Humbled: My Students as Models for Learning →

Building Better Kids: Big Life Journal

This morning my son and I worked in his Big Life Journal as part of his (and mine) ongoing personal development to be better at being with ourselves and others. The theme today? Courage and intuition. My wife, life-coach, fitness trainer, and facilitator, Cate, came across this fantastic resource as she sought support to help … Continue reading Building Better Kids: Big Life Journal →

Joy on Demand: A Primer (of sorts)

As part of my commitment to working towards the kind of man, father, husband, community member, neighbour, and employee that I want to become I spent the holiday season reading Chade-Meng Tan's Joy on Demand: The Art of Discovering the Happiness Inside. I cannot help but ignore the call of my heart that is luring me … Continue reading Joy on Demand: A Primer (of sorts) →

Collegial Connection: The Faculty Book Club

As part of my professional growth plan and a commitment to myself as an educator, learner, and leader I continue to work towards evolving my practice through opportunities for learning. Here is my latest foray. Faculty Book Club: Collegial Connection While neither an innovative or original concept among education faculties (I had already initiated two … Continue reading Collegial Connection: The Faculty Book Club →

Vulnerability at Work Here

DISCLAIMER: This week's post isn't really about any specific professional reflection or learned pedagogical insight, but it does have a significant bearing on how I continue to move forward in my professional career as a learner, educator, and leader. And maybe on you, too. I am part of a weekly men's circle. The group consists … Continue reading Vulnerability at Work Here →

Volunteerism and Community Connection

In my short lived role as a middle-school vice-principal, one of my intentions was to actively encourage and support our faculty to engage and enlist our community at large. To offer and encourage opportunities to those professionals, artisans, technologies, and builders in our amazing community to come into our school or (even better) provide opportunities … Continue reading Volunteerism and Community Connection →

A Mindful Journey

A vast majority of the newly revamped British Columbia Physical and Health 8 Curriculum revolves around students building and maintaining healthy relationships including “strategies for promoting mental well-being, for self and other” and “strategies for managing problems related to mental well-being”. To this end, the concept of mindfulness and the importance of developing effective and easy … Continue reading A Mindful Journey →