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 →

So, When Are We Going To Start Learning Something?: A Most Beautiful Conversation

Last week, after what I believed was a well-planned, and engaging discussion and thought-provoking lesson on growth mindset the following dialogue occurred. On the way out the classroom door heading to morning break one of my more 'enthusiastic' learners (Grade 7) triggered this fantastic conversation: Student: Jeff, thanks for sharing that information. Me: My pleasure, … Continue reading So, When Are We Going To Start Learning Something?: A Most Beautiful Conversation →

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 →

Technical Lethargy?

As a part of a digital literacy program that I offer the students at our school, I recently screened this clip to a group of Grade 7 students. It should be noted that I prefaced the viewing by asking the students to be prepared to share their thoughts on the clip and consider: 1 thing you … Continue reading Technical Lethargy? →

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 →

Being Imperfect Is…Simply Perfect

I recently finished reading, Dr. Brene Brown's The Gifts of Perfection: Let Go of Who You're Suppose To Be and Embrace Who You Are. This succinctly, yet poignant, self-help book holds so many little relevant 'aha' tidbits to support wholehearted living that I needed to possess. After studying shame and shame resilience for years, Brown noticed a … Continue reading Being Imperfect Is…Simply Perfect →

The Conversation That Can Never Fade

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 The Conversation That Can Never Fade →

We’re Not Just Raising Boys…

[I'm not just raising boys, I'm trying to raise good men.] Although I often use the above quote as a beacon for my contribution to a better society, I have been unable to find the source for this quote [so feel free to share it if you know because I would love to give credit … Continue reading We’re Not Just Raising Boys… →

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 →

A Personal Philosophy of Learning

This week I applied for a one-year lectureship with the University of British Columbia's West Kootenay Rural Teacher Education Program (WKTEP). As part of their application package, applicants are asked write and submit a one page Personal Philosophy of Learning. Admittedly, it has been a while since I have actually thought about a my holistic … Continue reading A Personal Philosophy of Learning →