A Shift: A Personal Mission Statement That I Didn’t Think I Had

Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.James Belasco & Ralph Stayer I am here. Here I am. Here is a point in my professional life when, where, and how I decide to move it forward. A transitional, … Continue reading A Shift: A Personal Mission Statement That I Didn’t Think I Had →

Rest. Rejuvenate. Reflect. Repeat.

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.Buddha Well, I did it (almost). It's a stunt that I have done to near flawless perfection on three other separate occasions in twenty-four years as an educator. But this time was different. I could not simply pullout of the 'graveyard … Continue reading Rest. Rejuvenate. Reflect. Repeat. →

Mental Health Wellness: got some?

Self-care is not self-indulgence; it is self-preservation.Audre Lorde, feminist and civil rights leader In anticipation of the coming fall and start of a new school year, I dedicated several hours a week over my summer since early July preparing for our return to the classroom. And while I spent hundreds of hours reading, watching videos, … Continue reading Mental Health Wellness: got some? →

A True ‘Honouring’ Tradition

Don't take life too seriously; no one makes it out alive.Elbert Hubbard Our first child graduated yesterday. It was a big moment for many reasons, one being that it was a year we doubted whether him graduating was even a possibility. But, despite mental health, ADHD, and an addiction, he made it. Hell, I'm proud. … Continue reading A True ‘Honouring’ Tradition →

Our ‘Truth Mandala’ Reality

Better to be slapped with the truth than kissed with a lie.Russian Proverb Yep. Being a lifelong learner really does pay off. In spades. I am continually reminded of this by my dear students. Today, my gang spent the day outside, and it has become a daily exercise for us. COVID has given many of … Continue reading Our ‘Truth Mandala’ Reality →

Core Practice #4: Nourishment

When a flower doesn't bloom you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.Alexander den Heijer The fourth core practice of our school is that of nourishment. This has been the most difficult (so far) in that nourishment is often viewed as a one-way lens. From one perspective, nourishment is seen easily defined … Continue reading Core Practice #4: Nourishment →

Core Practice #3: Empathy

Empathy is a choice; and it's a vulnerable choice. In order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows that feeling.Brene Brown My exploration of our school's seven core practices continues this week as I reflect on the context and practice of Core Practice #3: Empathy. The etymology of … Continue reading Core Practice #3: Empathy →

Core Practice #2: Courage

Fear will always be triggered by your creativity because creativity asks you to enter into realms of uncertain outcome, and fear hates uncertain outcome.Elizabeth Gilbert My journey of exploring our school core practices continues with reflecting how courage plays an elemental role in my daily professional practice. While the etymology of courage seems quite straightforward: … Continue reading Core Practice #2: Courage →

Core Practice #1: Humility

May your life be like a wildflower growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.Native American proverb Last week, I wrote briefly about the potency of honouring and living our school's core practices within my teaching practice, and how these core 'values' have helped to create, shape (square peg in a system of … Continue reading Core Practice #1: Humility →

‘Operationalizing’ Our Core Values (Part 1)

[BLOG POST] Operationalizing Our Core Values (as a school) #bcedchat #edchat #values #emotionalintelligence #learning #communityoflearners