Earlier this week, I found a great (and very simple) reminder about the key to leadership in my Diigo following list...According to the Leadership Freak, Dan Rockwell, CONNECTION is all that really matters when it comes to effective and efficient leadership. And in our roles as educational and school leaders in our schools and communities the … Continue reading C-O-N-N-E-C-T-I-O-N Is All You Really Need →

But John Hattie's meta-analysis of over thousands of studies on what actually has impact on student learning (and what doesn't). His conclusion is simple: know thy impact on student learning. When we become the 'greatest evaluators of our impact' we are then able to see how we, as a school community, can move forward to … Continue reading 8 Mind Frames for Teachers: Know Thy Impact →

This recent infographic is courtesy of Amplivox helps set the context for education and texting: technology is contextualized.Courtesy of Amplivox, 2012

Well, what a week it was at my first BC Principal & Vice-Principal Association (BCPVPA) Short Course (#SC2015) at the University of British Columbia!With a host of engaging and inspiring presenters, speakers, facilitators, and workshop leaders, the message for all beginning school leaders was obvious: lead by example and 'talk the walk'.As part of my own personal (and … Continue reading Leaders as Learners: Dispelling a Myth →

As I grapple to find a healthy balance between my teaching and administrative responsibilities one thing has become abundantly clear to me: my learning and teaching have become messy. Upon further self-reflection, I have even admitted to my students (on several occasions) my struggle with finding harmony; that while some days are great, some are not … Continue reading 16 Characteristics of a Modern Teacher →

While the debate around homework continues in schools and among various education stakeholders one thing is still pretty clear: there's no real significant body of research that supports either side of the argument. And, in fact, more questions seem to come to the surface?What's the value in students completing homework? Are students any less off if … Continue reading The ‘Battle’ Over Homework →

Recently, two articles gleaned from my professional learning network confirmed what I wholeheartedly feel is the moral imperative of the 21st century educator (like we don't have a enough to worry about already): modelling the moral imperative. The focus of what teachers are responsible for (i.e. preparing their students for matriculation for the next grade) to … Continue reading Whatever Happened To The Moral Imperative? →

As I embarked upon my exciting journey as a new school leader early this year, I reread Carol Dweck's Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. For those unaware of how Dweck's ground-breaking approach to intelligence supports learning for all below is terrific infographic (courtesy of Nigel Holmes).Image courtesy of Nigel Holmes, 2015So...What does this mean for … Continue reading Of Two Minds: Why Mindset Is Everything for the Educator →

I have to say that it's been a while since I was so proud of a colleague for going out of their comfort zone and risking vulnerability in front of students. (It doesn't happen as much as it should.) As part of his professional learning plan, Mike, a twenty-five year veteran colleague, has been experimenting … Continue reading Flipped Classroom, Flipped Perspective →

As part of a staff professional development opportunity last week, our PD committee approached our technology guru, Lori Jones, to share her passion for inquiry-based student-led learning, and how she utilizes it in her technology classes.After a brief introduction to the MakeyMakey technology along with a video of her students embracing and actively creating and … Continue reading MaKeyMaKey: An Exercise In Emotional Intelligence? (Part I) →