We Find What We Look For In Our Students – So What Do We See?
When we look at our students with struggles, what do we see? The following video is an incredible story of how a teacher/professor became so frustrated with a student for sleeping in his class… that he...
View ArticleWe Wore the Orange Shirts… What’s Next? #orangeshirtday
Today was (is) an important day in the steps toward reconciliation in Canada. Today, many people wore orange shirts “in honour of residential school survivors and in memory of those who did not”. This...
View Article8 Strategies to Bring Out the Best in Your Staff
As a school principal I am always reading leadership books and listening to podcasts on how to create the conditions for an effective organizational culture in schools. Each school and organization is...
View ArticleThe Wrecking Ball: A Story of Inclusion
Following a thought-provoking session on inclusion with colleague Diana Wilk at our district pro-d day (as a follow-up to a memorable day spent with Paula Kluth in the fall), I tried to share a story...
View Article6 Keys to Connecting With the Disconnected
I recently had the honour or being asked to come back to work with the passionate educators of the Fort Nelson School district to continue our conversation in strengths-based education. For the...
View ArticleInclusion Through Strengths: Learning With Logan
Note: this story of inclusion is shared with the encouragement and permission of Logan’s mother. Logan has been at James Hill Elementary since kindergarten. During this time, it has been easy to pick...
View ArticleSports Day: Shifting From Competition to Inclusion
Last year at James Hill, we made the decision to move away from points and 1st-4th place finishes for our annual elementary school Sports Day. We felt that the focus on points and winning was...
View ArticleBuilding Staff Culture: The Importance of TRUST
My professional growth plan is focused on building a positive school staff culture. I am no expert in this area but I have been honoured to learn from many others to help with my growth. It is my...
View ArticleReconsidering the ‘Celebration’ of Canada’s 150 Years
As we near July 1 and have the opportunity to join millions of Canadians celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, I cannot help but think about those who will not exactly be celebrating the past 150 years. I...
View ArticleBuilding Staff Culture: The Importance of Gratitude
As educators, we take a lot of our efforts and successes for granted. As we raise the bar and do more, implement new ideas, and have more success, our baseline grows and we seem to embrace this as a...
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