Should Kids Hate School?

I don’t know anyone who would answer “yes” to this question.  So why is the myth that “kids hate school” so pervasive? Last week, buses were cancelled in Muskoka (yes, there is only one Muskoka!), and the television announcers made a huge deal out of how happy kids would be because they didn’t have to […]

The Work-Life-Blogging Balance Challenge

Jenni’s question this week is one that needs more that 140 characters to answer. I think we have to begin with why we even bother to blog.  It begins with a fundamental belief that knowledge is to be shared and that learning comes from conversations.  It isn’t enough to just learn any more.  We need […]

Raleigh Falls

What Will You UnLearn Today?

What did you learn today? David Warlick often begins his talks with something new he has learned that day.  He frequently shares these learnings on his blog as well. Every day I try to follow his example and think carefully about all the new things I have learned. But sometimes we need to UNlearn before we can really […]

Professional vs. Personal – On Two Levels

The recent scandal involving the Mayor of Toronto (Rob Ford) has catalyzed many conversations around the delineation of a person’s professional life vs. their personal life.  On the Friday, November 8, 2013 edition of “The Current” on CBC Radio 1, panelists discussed their opinions around whether a public figure like a mayor can still do the job […]

Learning is Not a Competition

The revelation earlier this week that Canadian Cycling hero Ryder Hesjedal had been a doper and a cheater came as no surprise to those of us who have spent good chunks of our lives involved in the world of elite cycling.  Road racers claim the culture of doping gives them no choice but to cross […]

Find the Right Inch

It’s that time of year when almost any outdoor activity during the work week requires an additional accessory – a headlamp. Last night, when I paused for my beagle to grab a drink at the water’s edge, we could see a ribbon of light on the horizon as the sun faded for the day. I […]

“Nurture Those Around You”

There is no doubt that #ECOO13 was an outstanding opportunity for learning and networking. The event was exceptional from beginning to end and I am grateful for the talents and very hard work of all involved. Of course the learning continues long after the event, as long as we continue to heed the “call to […]

When Knowledge and Belief Collide

Recently I had a second opportunity to listen to the Director of Education for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, John Malloy, speak at a conference (#NOELonline). Below are my notes (with personal annotations) from his presentation. What are our beliefs as educators? Photomatt28 via Compfight cc We have beliefs around what classrooms should look like […]

Changing the Trajectory

What assumptions do we make about the life trajectories of the students in our classrooms? Over the past three days I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to share in learning with the Northern Ontario Education Leaders at their fall conference #NOELONLINE. The pre-conference address was given by the Director of the Bruce […]

Pausing at a Checkpoint

I like taking time to honour the changing of the seasons. Last Saturday was the last day of #Summer2013. People will say it was an awful summer, but I can’t think like that. I spent the day outside, breathing in the fresh air of northwestern Ontario, capturing images of the flowers still blooming on the […]