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
Tag: Learning
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
Powerful Fridays
Life itself is your teacher and you are in a constant state of learning. Bruce Lee TGIF: Another Reason For the greater part of my two-decade-plus teaching career, I, like many of my fellow educators, viewed Fridays at school as either a test day, a movie day and/or a combination of both. I will admit … Continue reading Powerful Fridays
Gender, Sex, and the Classroom
Last week, our middle school students engaged in the first of a four-part (I know you're probably saying that four is not enough) workshop with our trained adolescent sexual health educator with a focus on SOGI education. The facilitator opened the class by addressing anonymous student questions submitted the previous week. In a nervously anticipatory … Continue reading Gender, Sex, and the Classroom
Learning and Leaning in/to the Fishbowl
This week I learned (or acutely reminded of) two elemental teaching and learning practice pieces. I should first, however, set the stage... My passion for debate is often unquenchable. The opportunity to respectfully debate with others on topics of a passionate nature, "thems ma jams". We have recently rebirthed the debate club at my school. … Continue reading Learning and Leaning in/to the Fishbowl
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
My Hypocrisy, Einstein, and a Bunch of Stuff
With the last weekend of summer break before me, I felt compelled to write. Write what? I struggled with a single focus on one specific idea or directions. Please forgive the diverge writing. Or maybe don't. Either way, no apologies will be offered. What Hypocrisy? I contemplated freeform. Write what comes to mind. It's a … Continue reading My Hypocrisy, Einstein, and a Bunch of Stuff
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
My Commitment Manifesto
As I near the middle of my summer rest and relaxation period, I have had some time to recharge (a little) and to start to think (a lot) about the bigger picture for the upcoming school year in September. Admittedly, as an educator, the finer details of planning have never been my forte, but usally … Continue reading My Commitment Manifesto
GETTING CURIOUS 