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Continue reading →: FORWARDIt has been a whirlwind 18 months and as we enter this new school year the word I have chosen to guide me is FORWARD.
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Continue reading →: Words of Wisdom 2021The future is shaped by the curious, by those who wonder what could be and have the drive and vision to make it a reality. I call it that “Picture This”.
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Continue reading →: Provoking the ImaginationThis week I saw two numeracy lessons that were particularly impressive and clearly demonstrate the learning we value at Dubai American Academy.
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Continue reading →: The One Word ChallengeAs I have done with each January, I have chosen a word that will shape my actions across 2021.
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Continue reading →: A New YearI think we can all agree that we were pretty happy to see the calendar turn to January 1st. Last year had about 300 days no one will ever forget.
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Continue reading →: Learning Environments for the 21st centuryI was thrilled to share our Dubai American Academy story last year in World of Education magazine as we transformed 52 classrooms into learning environments that both reflect and foster the learning we value as a school.
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Continue reading →: What Happens On Professional Learning Days?People often wonder what happens on professional learning days that schools organize throughout the year. I hold these days in high regard because they move learning forward.
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Continue reading →: Getting out of the OfficeOver the course of this week I took myself out of the office, and with my laptop I sat at the tables throughout the school to get work done.
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Continue reading →: Evolving In A Time Of COVIDOver the past two weeks we have been debriefing our students’ current learning experience. As a school our decision making is made with Solution Fluency in mind and with that we have been exploring how, with health and safety at the forefront, we could improve the social well-being of our…
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Continue reading →: Community in a Time of COVIDThis school year has begun like no other in our lifetime. Social distancing, masks, virtual and hybrid learning, PCR tests and daily announcements by the government of cases has raised everyone’s anxiousness.
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Continue reading →: Words of Wisdom 2020Your final year of elementary is always memorable, but this year, wow – it is definitely one that took you off the regular path and we are sure you’ll keep in your memory bank for years to come.
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Continue reading →: Picture This!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 a diverse group of peers. The world is ever changing and the “institution of school” is evolving with it. For…
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Continue reading →: Opening Night 2018Last 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 the Vision for learning at the Elementary School and finally our parents were off their child’s classroom.
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Continue reading →: Words of Wisdom 2018I 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 Ceremony. Today may be a farewell, but it is also a celebration of all your learning. Learning that is guided…
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Continue reading →: O SiyamLast 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 been on a three year journey as a school delving into our connections to the Squamish Nation and Coast Salish…
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Continue reading →: Caulfeild in 150 WordsCreate 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 pitches” which Inc.com explains as “a well-crafted ad…a personal 30-second TV spot: It should be a simple-to-grasp promotion that’s catchy…
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Continue reading →: I Wonder…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 “taking his time” in the washroom and this tends to be the focus of that time. Finding this after a…
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Continue reading →: Words of Wisdom 2017These are the words of wisdom I shared at our Grade 7 Farewell ceremony today… The Chicago Bears The Spirit Bear The Grizzly, Black and Brown Bear Yogi Bear Smokey the Bear Paddington Bear The Three Bears Gummy Bears The Bad News Bears The Caulfeild Bears I know that at…
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Continue reading →: Our Whole School InquiryWhy 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 this question is an exploration into the health of our environment. We have been overwhelmed with the level of engagement…
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Continue reading →: At the ForefrontWhat 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 the case anymore. Parents are looking for schools that will give their children an excellent education, make them feel valued,…
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Continue reading →: Words of Wisdom 2016
Congratulations! You are off on a new adventure; one that you can go forward and explore with confidence because you are prepared. First off, you learned a lot of amazing lessons in Kindergarten that have continued to serve you well throughout your elementary school years. Share everything. Play fair. Don’t…
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Continue reading →: Being a FarmerThis 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 – fast. Last year a researcher travelling the globe studying education systems around the world asked me this question. This…
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Continue reading →: My One Word: Create
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. This year I will be working to create opportunities for professional learning, innovative learning environments and a strong sense of community.…
Welcome
Ideas | Connections | Reflections
Thoughts on leadership, learning, and building meaningful school communities.
I am an international school leader and educator focused on designing learning environments where students thrive, educators grow, and communities flourish through thoughtful leadership, innovation, and care.
This space is where I reflect on learning, leadership, and change. It is written for educators, leaders, and anyone interested in how people and organizations grow.
I hope something here resonates, challenges your thinking, or encourages you to pause and reflect along the way.
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