Finding your WHY?
I watched a powerful Ted Talk this evening that got me really thinking. WHY? What is your why? Why do you get up out of bed in the morning? Why are you a teacher? What do you believe your purpose as a teacher is? Why are you teaching the content you teach? Why are you [...]
It’s All About STORY!
Our school theme this year is all about STORY – and I have just found it incredibly COMPELLING. To hinge each lesson, each concept we learn and issue we discuss as being a part of my student’s larger story, and my students as being a part of God’s big story. You see, for me the [...]
Is Your Classroom Sexist? – Repost
The puzzling difference between the achievement of boys vs girls in schools, serves as the intriguing topic for a six part series in the Globe and Mail. In this first article, theories are outlined in their attempts to explain the emerging and growing gender gap in education. “Theories abound to explain the new gender gap [...]
One of those days…
Today was one of THOSE days… when kids are engaged, the learning is deep, and the impact I hope is long lasting. It started a few days ago however, quite backwards. Quite the opposite of today’s feelings of success and meaning. Instead, it was feelings of failure, obligation and “covering objectives.’ I’d decided to tackle [...]
All Students Can Learn…
“All students can learn, in their own ways and in their own time.” Our school has been engaged in a fantastic AISI project on assessment. I am learning how to assess less, give feedback more and hopefully to motivate my students in a way that encourages them to take more ownership of their learning. I [...]
We Teach Who We Are Pt 4 – Ourselves
The third reason for the complexities of teaching, an often overlooked factor is the fact that: we teach who we are. “Teaching emerges from one’s inwardness. As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subject and our day together.” Parker Palmer Days when I am stressed, distracted by other job demands, [...]
We Teach Who We Are Pt 3 – Students
“The students we teach are larger than life and even more complex. To see them clearly and see them whole, and respond to them wisely in the moment, requires a fusion of Freud and Solomon that few of us achieve.” Daunting tasks, so it seems. Caring for kids is synonymous with being a teacher. If [...]
We Teach Who We Are Pt 2 – Subjects
The first complexity that leads to the roller coaster of highest highs and the plummets of the lowest lows is the fact that our subject matters are incredibly difficult to get a handle on. For most teachers, they are required to be a generalist – something pretty hard to accomplish, as it is difficult to [...]
We Teach Who We Are Pt One – The Roller Coaster
I really, really love the writings of Parker Palmer. He has a way with words, drawing me into a deeper understanding and awareness of the inner dialogue, battles, joys and successes that I face daily as a teacher. His article entitled “We Teach Who We Are” demonstrates this incredible skill so well. In discussing the [...]
Surest Way to Fail
I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. Bill Cosby Somethings are not shaping up to be how I wish they would be for next year. Ever experience that… When things don’t look like your best-case scenario? Problem is, your best-case scenario could very well be [...]
