This past week ended with our fall parent-teachers conferences, and unlike many educators, I actually look forward to them. However, one of the 15-minute sessions left me shaken, confused, and unsure about my planned approach for the remainder of the year. I felt judged. Or at least my pedagogical approach was being heavily scrutinized. The … Continue reading Sitting with It: A Healthy Reflection
Category: Relationships
Deeper Learning Dozen: A Longing for Relationships
No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship. James Comer This fall my school district embarked on a journey. With support from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Jal Mehta's lab, the Kootenay Lake School joined eleven other school districts from British Columbia, Massachusetts, and California as a part of the Deeper Learning … Continue reading Deeper Learning Dozen: A Longing for Relationships
Learner-Led Learning: My Initiation
In over two decades in public education in British Columbia, I have witnessed a misunderstanding of sorts. One of the basic tenets of successful learning that we, as educators, want to believe is that our learners develop a lifelong love of learning. Not matter their passions. No matter their paths. But in our attempts to … Continue reading Learner-Led Learning: My Initiation
The Raddest Was Yet To Come: Knowing Thy Impact
Know Thy Impact (or you will be reminded) In June, I ended a tremendously memorable personal and professional growth opportunity as a member of the Trafalgar Middle School staff. Working with tweens and pre-teens is not for the faint of heart. The only other educator that I admire and revere more than middle school educators … Continue reading The Raddest Was Yet To Come: Knowing Thy Impact
Oscillation of Joy
As I continue to look forward to joining the Wildflower School family in September (well, joining isn't exactly the right word, it's more like a homecoming, of sorts), I often discover my thoughts wandering, and pondering, about my new role next year. Will I get it right? Is there an actual getting it right? What … Continue reading Oscillation of Joy
Praising Our Kids: A Guide
I think that it's fair to say that as parents we all praise our kids. It's an essential part of parenting and of raising healthy, emotionally balanced kids. However, misusing praise can have a tremendous effect, too. Under-praising, overpraising or even more frequently, 'mis-praising' our kids and their behaviour can set up for difficulties down … Continue reading Praising Our Kids: A Guide
Men Who Run with the Women Who Run with the Wolves: A Prologue
Three years ago my wife, Cate, decided to leave her $30/hour secure job in the fitness industry to start over. Completely. Her heart spoke loudly. Four years later and having made the successful journey herself, she desired help other women through their struggle towards a healthier and more fruitful balance of family responsibilities and professional … Continue reading Men Who Run with the Women Who Run with the Wolves: A Prologue
