This pandemic threw traditional education a major curve ball. Remote learning became the norm and this shift in instructional practice, may have been smooth for some teachers and parents but for the most part, it was a difficult transition. GOOD! Now before anybody gets mad about my opinion, let’s be clear that the pandemic results, …
2020 archive
Jul 31
Preparing for the return of students! Part I
When I first contemplated this article, it was going to be from the perspective of “after the pandemic.” Unfortunately, the pandemic appears to be far from over and in some areas, record infections are becoming the norm. With schools in the United States opening soon and just over a month for Canadian schools, governments are …
Jun 11
Losing a young man!
It has been quite awhile since I’ve put my words down, but I’ve thought about this next message since last week. Why? Well last week, a good friend of our son, committed suicide. While there is great sadness when anyone takes his or her own life, some suicides seem to be more uncharacteristic than others. …
May 03
Thanks to educators during this pandemic and beyond!
On March 29th, I wrote the following blog post, “A Personal Message to All Educators.” I’m not sure whether this is simply a follow up, or instead this next blog post is for the general public but regardless, I think it is an important piece to write. It is easy to recognize our health care …
Apr 21
The leaders we need especially in times of crisis!
“Leaders should never engage in self serving politics during a time of crisis.” Unless you are “very” old, you are part of a population that has never faced this type of epidemic in this lifetime. We are in unprecedented times and the requirement of leaders to lead with integrity is essential. Regardless of your political …
Apr 11
Just be nice!
This weekend is tough for many people around the world. Where many would be attending family gatherings or celebrating their faith, instead, we remain (or should be) self isolated. This is certainly not the version I had in my head of my first Easter since my retirement and not the version for any. But now …
Mar 29
A Personal Message to All Educators
January 3rd was my last day as Superintendent of Schools and the end to an almost 35 year career in education. It was the right time for many reasons and I have not regretted the decision. However, since the COVID 19 pandemic has hit, there has been a pit in my stomach, a certain uneasiness …
Mar 14
Results and Outcomes…What do they truly mean? Part II
In part I of this series, I spoke a little about how results and outcomes can be manipulated to prove one’s point. In this blog, I want to discuss how to start looking beyond simple results and outcomes and begin moving a culture towards learning and continuous improvement. While this is my journey, I believe …
Mar 09
Results and Outcomes…What do they truly mean? Part I
A number of years ago, one of my most respected principals made the following comment (paraphrased), “Why is it that when our results are good on a standardized test we applaud the work of our staff, but when our results are poor, we blame the exam?” This statement is becoming increasingly more important given the …
Mar 03
Integrity in leadership
It is a sad statement of our times, but I truly believe that the level of integrity of our leaders is depleting at a record rate. Some (not all) politicians, national or provincial/state reek with integrity flaws But, it seems that the crisis has crept into many areas of leadership that had one time, had …