Category: Uncategorized

‘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’ →

Unconventional Advice: Remember the Pain(ful)

I recently came across a speech from Chief Justice of the United Supreme Court, John Roberts who is currently presiding over the presidential impeachment trial. While the passionate and honest address was directly to his son's Grade 9 graduating class at an exceptionally exclusive private school for boys in Grades 6-9, it might be one … Continue reading Unconventional Advice: Remember the Pain(ful) →

The Ideal Parenting Myth…Busted?

I don't know what is more exhausting about parenting: the getting up early or acting like you know what you're doing. ~Jim Gaffigan, actor & comedian Journalist Micheal Brown shared the research of Shannon Pynn of the University of Alberta. Pynn, a PhD student, recently demonstrated how social media might alter what she and her team label … Continue reading The Ideal Parenting Myth…Busted? →

An Issue That Never Dies

Technology can be our best friend, and technology can also be the biggest party pooper of our lives. It interrupts our own story, interrupts our ability to have a thought or a daydream, to imagine something wonderful, because we're too busy bridging the walk from the cafeteria back to the office on the cell phone. … Continue reading An Issue That Never Dies →

Teaching for the Future: What Little Choice Do We Have?

At a recent workshop that focused on Inclusion, I was reminded of the latest World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report that was published in 2016. I share this post in order to call to our attention the continual shift; as a reminder of the real purpose of public education in our society today. Education is … Continue reading Teaching for the Future: What Little Choice Do We Have? →

Knowing Thy Learning Environment: Learners’ Perspectives

I think that I'm starting to get it. No, seriously. I am. I am starting to recognize the importance of knowing and understanding the place in which you learn (formally that is). Our amazing learning support teacher recently asked a group of  Grade 6 aged students what makes Wildflower School a bit unique. This is … Continue reading Knowing Thy Learning Environment: Learners’ Perspectives →

Know Thy Employee: The Millennial Educator

While nearly two years old, this interview featuring Simon Sinek is one of my all-time favourites. One question and Sinek is out of the gate! He sheds much enlightenment on millennials (age demographic born between 1984-2002) and their purpose-seeking motivation. Sinek also argues that many companies today are not equipped to support them and a … Continue reading Know Thy Employee: The Millennial Educator →

A Gentle Reminder: Just the Essentials

At a recent professional learning workshop with inclusion specialist, Shelley Moore (more on that amazing experience in the future), I was reminded of a truly powerful post by innovative learning and teaching consultant, George Couros. And after the intense, insightful, inspirational, reaffirming spark-inducing day, I felt that now was a good as time as any … Continue reading A Gentle Reminder: Just the Essentials →

Sitting with It: A Healthy Reflection

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 →