It was the day before March Break 2020 when travel restrictions were put in place in Ontario. Teachers, parents and families were scrambling to cancel vacation plans. The much-anticipated dreams of warmer climates were suddenly and unexpectedly out the window. The global pandemic had struck in a way that could not be ignored. We had... Continue Reading →
I believe one of the most challenging issues that school administrators deal with on a daily basis is mental health. We have to think about how to handle very challenging situations with our most vulnerable students, parents, staff and even ourselves. The reason it is so challenging is because there is never a simple answer,... Continue Reading →
I had a moment recently to reflect on our school’s journey in innovation. As I pondered how we got to where we are, I never realized how far we have come in such a short period of time. When you think innovation, you sometimes think big, or quick. Our journey was neither. What it was,... Continue Reading →
It has been an extraordinary adventure to open a new secondary school. The staff at Bill Hogarth Secondary School co-determined that our learning focus would be to foster global competencies, fondly referred to as our “6Cs”: character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking. The work of Michael Fullan informed the initial brainstorming sessions. A... Continue Reading →
Is your school feeling particularly chaotic this year? Do you find yourself in firefighting mode too often and spending less time than you would like on instructional leadership? You are not alone, and the solution may be simpler than you think. I often say, “how special education goes in a school, goes the rest of... Continue Reading →
Improving math instruction in our schools is a little like losing weight: we may know what to do in theory, but in practice it becomes a little more challenging. The call to return to basics comes around frequently; but what are the basics? Is it really as simple as teaching students their multiplication tables again?... Continue Reading →
Every August and September we are all very busy beginning a new year. As school leaders, we are all managing staffing issues, reorganization, curriculum nights and the list goes on. Even with all of this busy-work, we all have the desire to ensure that each and every child who enters our school has a wonderful... Continue Reading →
When I was a child, I recall my parents taking the time to make sure I understood things. For example, my father taught me to use a firm handshake and look the person right in the eyes. My mother made sure I knew which fork to use and to treat everyone with respect, even if they didn’t... Continue Reading →
Indigenous Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (InSTEM) is an Indigenous engineering design and social change project founded by a partnership between Actua (Canada’s largest STEM outreach organization), the University of Ottawa’s Engineering Maker Mobile team and a group of administrators and educators from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). The OCDSB’s Gloucester High School (GHS)... Continue Reading →
Over the past 18 months I have seen a lot of Ontario. I’ve travelled north to Kenora, east to Pembroke, west to Chatham Kent and all around the GTA. One thing I can say unequivocally is that great things are happening in Ontario schools with respect to maker education. I have had the good fortune... Continue Reading →
