Author: Jeff Yasinchuk

Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up. ~Brene Brown, PhD.

Paradoxical Tensions for Learning and Teaching Spaces

Not all good teachers use the same technique, but whatever technique they use, good teachers always find ways to induce this creative tension.  ~Parker J. Palmer (Re)reading Parker Palmer's deeply reflective treatise on teaching and learning has brought me many 'aha' moments this spring. One particular piece that has continued to fuel my pedagogical values … Continue reading Paradoxical Tensions for Learning and Teaching Spaces →

Be (Like) Water, My Friend

All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns.  ~Bruce Lee Recently, our government announced a voluntary return to in-school learning plan starting next month. As a result, I find myself overcome with moments of uncertainty and worry often tinged with a perceived lack of control … Continue reading Be (Like) Water, My Friend →

Interdependence Is Iterative

Being interdependent is a series of small repetitive motions. Interdependence is iterative.  ~adrienne maree brown As I head into another weekend after eight weeks of supporting my students from behind a screen, I continually wonder, continually get curious about the effectiveness of the contributions that I am making to them and their families. A collection … Continue reading Interdependence Is Iterative →

‘Community of Truth’ In a Time of Uncertainty (Part 2)

As I continue to reflect on my role as a teacher in what may become, to some degree, the new norm of education, I also continue to mine the depths of Parker Palmer's seminal book on what it means to be a teacher, The Courage to Teach. A few more pearls of heart-led wisdom that … Continue reading ‘Community of Truth’ In a Time of Uncertainty (Part 2) →

A ‘Community of Truth’ In a Time of Uncertainty (Part 1)

Well, it looks like the gears are in motion for plans to have staff (and eventually students) return to school buildings this week. Admittedly, the announcement from our school administrator indicated that we should be ready for such an occurrence in "May/June" triggered a deep visceral reaction within. My sudden angst was augmented by the … Continue reading A ‘Community of Truth’ In a Time of Uncertainty (Part 1) →

[A Pause]: An #Ode to Living On #Earth

Visual artist (and a favourite kids book author in our house), Oliver Jeffers, delivers his second TEDTalk in over a decade with this beautiful letter to his newborn son. I rarely view anything three times (let alone twice!) on the Internet, but the mesmerizing combination of Jeffers' lilting rhythm, magnificent poetic delivery, and use of … Continue reading [A Pause]: An #Ode to Living On #Earth →

‘Ways to Be Home’

The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.  ~Maya Angelou As I often do, I give immense credit to my brilliant, deep-thinking, and reflective teaching colleague, Barbara Hargreaves, for her inspiration for this post. In anticipation of our current home … Continue reading ‘Ways to Be Home’ →

Emergent Strategy: Never a Better Time Than Now

We are socialized to see what is wrong, missing, off, to tear down the ideas of others and uplift our own. To a certain degree, our entire future may depend on learning to listen, listen without assumptions or defenses.  ~ Adrienne Maree Brown With a desire to rethink and reinvision the true purpose of public … Continue reading Emergent Strategy: Never a Better Time Than Now →

A Humbling Dose of Perspective

As both a parent and educator, I am so grateful to a colleague for sending along this very humbling dose of parent perspective. An Israeli mother of four children candidly shares her frustration and lack of perspective about the rush to get home schooling cranked up... https://youtu.be/H7_wvQHMGOI Modelling Perspective As I make my way through … Continue reading A Humbling Dose of Perspective →