Collaboration… Picture This! 12 Sep 201912 Sep 2019 A learning eco-system where the fluidity of where student thinking occurs is based upon the needs of the child and is framed to encourage critical thought, creativity and collaboration with…
Connecting… Opening Night 2018 20 Sep 201821 Sep 2018 What a Night! Last night was our K-5 Opening Night presentation at Dubai American Academy. We began the night with a welcome from our entire staff, then delved into the…
graduation… Words of Wisdom 2018 26 Jun 201825 Jun 2018 I would like to begin by gratefully acknowledging that we are celebrating today’s farewell on the ancestral lands of the Squamish Nation. Welcome everyone to the 2018 Grade Seven Farewell…
Authentic Learning… O Siyam 24 Jun 2018 Last week was National Indigenous Peoples Day. We recognized the day at the beginning of the day with our students. What makes this day important for our school is that we have…
Authentic Learning… Caulfeild in 150 Words 29 Jan 2018 Create a short, sharp and succinct description and visual portrait of your school. This was a challenge our Superintendent Chris Kennedy laid before us today. These are known as "elevator…
Authentic Learning… I Wonder… 8 Nov 2017 I came home from work tonight to find this... Rerolled toilet paper (again). I hate this on many levels but my six year old son has a habit of sometimes…
Authentic Learning… Our Whole School Inquiry 30 Mar 201730 Mar 2017 Why is it important to be responsible? This is an Essential Question our school is exploring across the grades through our current whole school inquiry. The vehicle driving the learning into…
Authentic Learning… At the Forefront 15 Jan 2017 What school is your child going to attend next year? During my childhood you simply went to the school that was in your neighbourhood; but that is not necessarily…
Collaboration… Being a Farmer 6 Mar 201620 Mar 2016 This week I presented at Discovery Education's Ignite Vancouver. This is my 5 minute presentation. Please excuse the run-on sentences and poor punctuation. It is written like I spoke it…
Authentic Learning… My One Word: Create 31 Jan 201631 Jan 2016 The one word challenge was set by Chris Kennedy a month ago. It has taken me a little time to put my thoughts down but my one word is Create.…
Connecting… Making our Learning Visible 25 Jan 2015 Each month our Parent Advisory Committee holds monthly meetings to discuss PAC related issues. During these meetings I deliver a Principal’s Report filled with interesting matters about the school. This…
Connecting… Dare to Go Further 26 Oct 2014 I love this video because we have all been there. Maybe not looking down from the top of a ski jump, but doing something that instilled an element of "hesitation".…
Authentic Learning… Leaving a Lasting Impression 1 Sep 2014 A couple of days ago I saw a few former students who I had the pleasure to teach when they were in grade four - during my first time at Caulfeild Elementary. They were…
Inquiry… Thank You Ridgeview 2 Jul 20142 Jul 2014 It has been three years since the photo was taken. This was my first day of school as the Vice-Principal of Ridgeview, and what an amazing experience it has been.…
Authentic Learning… Who Has the Power? 11 Jun 201411 Jun 2014 This week's Maclean's Magazine has a column by Emma Teitel titled "Get Them When They're Young". The argument is that we need to make a more concerted effort to teach…
Inquiry… First the How. Now More the Why of BYOD. 24 Feb 2014 My last post was about Our Approach to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and the strategies we implemented to make it a success. But even as parents were bringing in the…
Collaboration… 10 Thoughts 1 Dec 2013 I always enjoy Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts opinion piece on CBC Sports so I thought I would try my own version as I reflect back on the first three months…
Collaboration… Reflecting on our Innovation 11 Jun 2013 Yesterday educators in the West Vancouver School District came together at Sentinel Secondary to share the process and results of their inquiries from throughout the year. The innovation grants provided…
Authentic Learning… Following your Passion (Part 1) 22 Mar 201322 Mar 2013 For many years I have encouraged students to dig into their curiosities through Passion Projects, Teach Me Something I Don't Know events, and Learn Something Amazing activities. Each time, I…
Collaboration… Connecting and Innovating 27 Jan 201327 Jan 2013 A few months ago I attended my first EDCamp. My only prior knowledge about EDCamps was that the participants' interest determined the workshop topics and it was a great opportunity to…
Inquiry Presenting My Trip to the Top of Mt. Kilimanjaro 26 Nov 20122 Jun 2013 Today I presented a slideshow to the students at Ridgeview Elementary about my trip to Africa. In putting together a presentation I hoped would be meaningful and interesting for the…
Authentic Learning… Taking Action for a Cause 23 Sep 2012 Last week was Summits of Hope Week at Ridgeview Elementary. This was five days dedicated to fundraising for our team's climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro in support of BC Children’s Hospital…
Collaboration… We’re Going Inquiry! 24 May 201224 May 2012 The events of last Friday brought the Kool and the Gang classic Celebration to mind as I began this post because this year's hard work and collaborative efforts are bearing…
Authentic Learning… C.S.I. Ridgeview 16 Apr 2012 Caution tape, open drawers and cupboards, spilt blood, missing items and a letter from the West Vancouver Police Department greeted the grade 5 students at Ridgeview last Tuesday. Once authorization…
