“In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” Eric Hoffer Doctors are certainly viewed as learned. They possess an incredible amount of knowledge and their practice is unique. Their medical degree certainly suggests that they are learned. But …
Category: Educational Updates
Nov 28
Developing the Young Brain
During the last couple of months, I’ve been fortunate to be involved in some community facilitated conversations that have centered on the importance of early learning and care. Traditional thinking has a tendency to believe that early learning begins in kindergarten, or maybe a year or two earlier. Although that may be true for what …
Nov 16
Moving ahead…now!
Earlier this week, a large group from our division participated in a facilitated conversation led by Mark Bevan and Karen Shipka from Alberta Education Workforce Planning Branch. The group included trustees, senior administration, principals, associate principals, ATA local executive, lead teachers and members of the PD Council. The purpose of the conversation with this varied group was to: …
Nov 05
From the Desk of the Superintendent- Catholic Education Sunday 2013
Catholic Education Sunday was celebrated in Alberta on November 3. The following message was read at all masses by trustees and administration. Holy Spirit is a regional division that serves students in Coaldale, Lethbridge, Picture Butte, Pincher Creek, Taber, and surrounding areas. Today, we celebrate Catholic Education Sunday. Each year we set aside this special …
Oct 27
Teacher Leaders: Begin with Mission, Vision and Values
This past week we began our leadership development program. It is a program that we offer every two years in the division and is open to our teachers. The significance of the program is twofold. First, with an aging administrative population (in which I am one) and minimal movement from outside the division, it is …
Oct 20
Why George Couros?
Last week our school division had the pleasure bringing in George Couros @gcouros as our keynote for our annual division wide professional development day. Now before you write off the experience because it appears to be another sit and get event, let me explain that George was our keynote and provided a number of breakout sessions as …
Oct 12
But I don’t have all the answers!
“But I don’t have all of the answers!” is probably something that you don’t want to hear from your leader or your child’s teacher. Or is it? I just finished reading David Culberhouse’s latest blog post, “Embracing the Unknown.” It reminded me that we as leaders can’t know everything and don’t have all the answers. …
Sep 29
Lifelong learning…
During your career, have you ever heard the statement, “Lifelong learning is not important!”. Agreement with that statement would be almost like attacking “motherhood and apple pie”! It is unfathomable for educators to disagree with lifelong learning since our basic concept as educators is to always be on a learning track. I don’t have time to learn is a mockery and inconsistent with …
Sep 22
Is being connected an option?
This past weekend I had the pleasure of teaching my first graduate level course for Gonzaga University. The course focuses on leadership and school improvement. It is an especially pertinent topic as we continue to challenge our current model of education. The way we’ve always done things in our schools may be most comfortable for the …
Sep 15
If you want to change…
If you want to change you have to be willing to be uncomfortable! Now there’s a statement for leadership! There’s a statement for challenging the status quo! And finally, there’s a statement that must be part of our education vernacular, everyday and all the time! It is pretty easy to sit and watch the race …