Connecting Remembrance 2 Nov 20142 Nov 2014 Ever since I can remember November 11th has always been very significant to me, because it has always been personal. I remember growing up watching the CBC's Remembrance Day service from Ottawa…
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".…
Uncategorized TEDxWestVancouverED 6 Oct 2014 After a year of planning, TEDxWestVancouverED became a reality on Saturday, September 27. At 8:30am three hundred educators, parents and members of the community began their day at the Kay Meek…
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…
Uncategorized A View from the Small Office 2 May 2014 A revisit of an old post about the work we've done at Ridgeview
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… Our Approach to BYOD 15 Jan 201415 Jan 2014 At the end of June last year we sent a letter home to all of our grade 5-7 parents notifying them that Ridgeview Elementary was initiating a Bring Your Own…
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…
Connecting… Connecting with Remembrance Day 8 Nov 201311 Nov 2013 Each year, in my role as Vice-Principal, I have the honour of shaping the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at Ridgeview Elementary in collaboration with our teachers. My goal every November is…
Uncategorized What Makes a Difference? 22 Sep 2013 What brought JOY to your learning when you were a student? My wife Charity has returned to school this year seeking her British Columbia Teachers Certificate through Simon Fraser University…
Uncategorized Taking the First Step can be the Hardest 25 Aug 2013 Last week the administrators of West Vancouver returned to work for our annual beginning of the year conference. This is a wonderful opportunity to both reconnect with one another and…
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…
Uncategorized Presenting My Trip to the Top of Mt. Kilimanjaro 2 Jun 2013 Revisiting my trip on the day our donation was presented...Some great photos for anyone interested in undertaking this adventure for a great cause!
Authentic Learning… Students Taking Action to Help Other Kids 28 May 2013 A month ago two students at Ridgeview Elementary were announced as winners of the Burn Fund Burn Awareness Contest. Under the leadership of their teacher Amy Meldrum, all our grade…
Collaboration… My TED Journey – A Personal Passion Project 28 Apr 201327 Apr 2013 If you are doing something you love, an hour feels like 5 minutes. Sir Ken Robinson Our committee has spent many "5 minute blocks" over the past few months organizing TEDxWestVancouverED…
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…
Connecting… Connecting with my Climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro 4 Nov 20124 Nov 2012 On October 17, 2012 I stood on the roof of Africa. It was an incredible feeling watching the sunrise over the clouds and Mawenzi Peak below as a vicious wind…
Uncategorized The Agenda for our Climb 6 Oct 2012 A quick and simple post today... The plan for our trek is below. Starting on the 10th you'll be able to follow our progress at http://summitsofhope.com/baseCamp.asp?ClimbID=30 Oct 10: Arrive in Africa…
Connecting… 7 Days… 30 Sep 20121 Oct 2012 I wrote this as an email today and after reading it, I felt it would also make a great blog post. Enjoy. As of today I have raised just over…
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…
