mindfully thinking about learning
What’s been mulling around in my head, amongst the worry about my family’s health and the pride in how the government and citizens of Canada are handling the Covid-19 crisis, are waves of anxiety about what is to come for all of us. That’s normal. It’s not unusual, or unexpected. Much of the anxiety has…
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After stumbling upon an interesting post by The School Vlogger, Dr. Mary Hemphill, I noticed she happened to be talking about engaging student voice at her school, and when she began to talk about changing culture and keeping students at the centre, I was really intrigued. The idea being shared was one way that she…
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I’m a big fan of using Siri on my iphone and have been ever since I began using speech to text software with students in about 2006. Boy, has the technology improved since then! I now use it to create reminders, schedule calendar events and dictate emails and documents when I have a quiet place…
Read MorePeter Skillen and I had the pleasure of attending a working group session at the YMCA of Greater Toronto led by Candy Chow (YPALS Coordinator – YMCA of Greater Toronto) and Nina Arcon (YPALS Specialist at YMCA of Greater Toronto). This group of about 12 young people are about to launch a blog that will…
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This week I had the honour to be invited to contribute to a panel of amazing people at the recent Think Tank session from CECCE, one of Ontario’s French School Boards, along with well known thinkers about transforming educational environments. My ECOO colleague Peter Skillen and I have crossed paths recently with many CECCE educators…
Read MoreI attended Educon 2.8 once again this year, hosted at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. It was great to be in the building once again. Chris Lehman and Zac Chase provide inspiring leadership and watching this school grow and change has been fantastic. The school feels more like Ontario schools than other US schools…
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In a few days, I’m taking on a new role with a secondment to the Ministry of Ontario in the 21st Century Learning Unit. I’m feeling bittersweet about the new role; sad to be leaving my school and all of the wonderful students, teachers and parents I’ve come to know in my short time as…
Read MoreI’m an eternal optimist. Was I born this way? I don’t know… all I know is that I’ve always viewed the cup as half-full and have an easy time finding silver linings somehow. This must be what draws me to the Appreciative Inquiry approach that I began to learn about in my time as a…
Read MoreMaking Thinking Visible is based on the work being done at Harvard’s Project Zero and is part of a larger study of Cultures of Thinking about which you can read more here. The book provides a background about why a thinking focus is important and provides an introduction into the Thinking Routines that are recommended…
Read MoreMaking our SIP (School Improvement Plan) come alive! This year I heard about someone on Twitter who decided to post their Board Improvement Plan in a visible space at school to share with students, parents and the community as you see in the photo below. After hearing this idea via @leblancpeter @tlobaker and @nhamilton647 my…
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Learning Zone 