184 Days of Learning

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending a professional learning session with my colleagues from Parkland School Division, as well as, with colleagues from surrounding school districts. This session, hosted by  the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium, was entitled Groups at Work: Structures and Strategies for Professional Learning and was facilitated by Laura Lipton. Many of the people in attendance were in leadership positions who were looking for the strategies and structures to conduct meetings as learning sessions.  This session focused on how leaders can maximize the time and productivity of work sessions and meetings to create powerful groups that can produce powerful results. I left the session with some key learnings that I can use moving forward in my work with groups. I learned that one of the fundamental ways to maximize the time and productivity of work sessions and meetings is to move them from information sharing sessions to information processing sessions. This requires skill on the part of the  facilitator as just having people in the same room does not result in collaboration nor is time to meet on its own enough to influence change in practice. Thought, energy, and purpose must be put into the design and preparation of the work session or meeting in order for it to have the desired results. Another key learning was that having a clearly communicated, transparent purpose helps to engage group members in information processing. Group members also have to feel psychologically safe in order to be cognitively involved. It falls to the facilitator to intentionally build the relationship between group members so that they can talk about difficult things.

Throughout the day, Laura Lipton skillfully modeled a variety of individual, small, and large group strategies to teach us how to maximize the time and productivity  of work sessions and meetings and how to engage group members in such a way that participation and learning is not optional.  I left the session with a host of strategies that I can draw on upon when working with groups.

As a staff member in a school division where collaborating, creating, and learning is valued, I appreciated having the professional learning time to extend my repertoire for designing and delivering productive work sessions and meetings.

Diane Lefebvre is the Assistant Principal at Brookwood School in Spruce Grove.

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One definition of humanity is the ability for us to ignore our basic instinct to take care of just ourselves verses doing things for others while expecting nothing in return.    An example of this humanity was displayed this past week by numerous individuals making a difference for others as volunteers for the Alberta Winter Games.  As the Chair for Internal Transportation Committee  I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the efforts of our community coming together to make a difference.  It was truly an incredible experience for  all that participated.

The portfolio of transportation was only one of the many necessary services that was needed to have a successful event for the youth of Alberta. The same can be said for the success of our education system that is supported on a daily basis from a variety people with expertise in the following areas: custodian, maintenance, bus operators, teachers, technology, human resources, administrators, trustees, and various external services that create the learning opportunities that our students enjoy.

The people factor makes the difference.  Building strong relationships in a model of collaboration makes us a stronger as we continue to grow and learn from one another.

Brian is the Director of Transportation for Parkland School Division.  He has an amazing staff, great family, and loves hockey!

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As a grade nine student and a new at High Park School I have learned lots since the beginning of the year and the years I have been in school. Every year you have to learn Language Arts, Social, Math, and Science.

In Language Arts I have learned a lot about putting more description into my essays to make them more exciting to read. As the years go on I will get better and better at putting better word choice and description into my writing.

Social is another subject you can benefit from. I have learned about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In learning the Charter I’ve learned all the different sections and what they do for us Canadians.

Since September I’ve been learning biology and chemistry. The biology unit was about Biological Diversity; how things live and in what kind of climate they can live in. The Biological Diversity unit also touched base on where we get our traits from and the dominate traits and also the recessive traits. Chemistry was also another unit and it was Matter and Chemical Change. The unit was about matter, elements, chemicals, and also the periodic table of the elements. I already knew about matter, element, and chemicals but it was put into more depth on what there was to know about them.

In math I’ve been learning about linear relations, Integers, rational numbers, and polynomials. Linear relations was a unit about algebra and graphing which I found that unit a bit difficult but by the end of the unit I was getting better at it. Integers were another section which was multiplying and dividing integers it was fairly easy but I understood it. Rational numbers is no different than fractions I learned there properties and what to do for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing them.

As being in grade nine it is one of the most crucial years because how well you do in grade nine determines what classes you can do in high school. To get into the classes you want in grade ten you have to pass those courses in grade nine.

I have done the officiating for High Park’s Volleyball teams. This is new to me but was great fun.  It was nerve wracking to ref fast-paced games, especially the first one, but it was so great to walk away knowing “I did it” and did it well.

My favorite summer activity is track and field, mostly javelin and running long jump. I also like to play volleyball and badminton. My favorite winter activity is skiing. I also like going snowmobiling and dirt biking.

This may seem ordinary learning, but it was very good for me.

Brandon is a grade nine student at HPS who sees the serious side of things, but knows how to celebrate learning and have fun doing it.

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Just recently, our class got Smart Response remotes. Our teacher went to workshops to learn how to use the new remotes and she also helped the other teachers at the school learn to use them. We all have ID numbers and we login every time we do an activity. I really like using this new system because we save paper. For example, last week we did an activity for our Chemistry unit. Our teacher asked us questions about what we’re learning and then helped those that don’t understand. It is so awesome because you get your very own remote control. Our Health teacher used the response system for a hot lunch survey too. We are able to have privacy when we make our choices too! You can answer all types of questions when using Smart Reponse. We have had multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false and even number responses. I am so excited to use this new tool in the classroom. I think it’s better than answering questions on paper.

My name is Shaelene and I am a grade 6 student at Keephills School. I enjoy reading and riding my horses.

Blessed to be Educated in Alberta!

My husband and I recently had the privilege of travelling and vacationing in Central America in a small developing country where we spent two glorious weeks on a couple of tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea.  During our vacation, we had the privilege of visiting an elementary school which is located in a poor area of a city plagued with a high crime rate.  The school was surrounded by a twenty-foot cement wall topped with rolls of razor wire, and was enclosed with large locked gates to serve as protection for the students and staff.  Within the cinder block walls, approximately 300 students from grades 1 – 6 attended classes that are furnished with very old tables or desks, crates that served as shelves to hold approximately 50 books, a chalk board, and an old desk and plastic chair for the teacher.  The school yard was a cemented area without playground equipment except for a few balls.  The school’s supply budget for the year was approximately $250 and each teacher was provided a plan book, a couple of sheets of Bristol board, a box of chalk and a package of paper for the photocopier.  The school’s photocopier had run out of ink and they had not been able to afford to replace it for the last two months.  Although the preference was to hire certificated staff, willing local people were also hired as teachers if qualified staff were not available.  Professional development opportunities were scarce and salaries were a fraction of what teachers make in Alberta.

Our recent provincial budget announcements for education support a quality educational system which is renowned as one of the best in the world.  We are so fortunate to have been born here instead of in an underdeveloped or developing country where the same educational opportunities are not available.  We have been blessed in so many ways and must teach our children be grateful each day for the privileges they have in our province.  It is great to be an Albertan!

Emilie is the Associate Superintendent of Parkland School Division.  She believes in creating environments for every child to succeed, and continues to strive to learn alongside all of the amazing educators in PSD70!

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It’s a cold Saturday morning, at some ridiculous hour. I sit in a cold arena, somewhere in Alberta with my double double in my hand. This is where I am most weekends. I look around and marvel at what I see. A group of mismatched parents all huddled together, as we sit on our carpet pieces looking for warmth. We are not a group that would normally cross paths or be friends. Different as night and day in our other lives, yet here we are weekend after weekend- Bonded together. There is excitement in the air as we watch our children, our team. We cringe together when one makes a bad choice; the refs arm flings up with the call, all trading knowing looks and smiles. We cheer together when a goal is scored, or blocked by the team -calling out to the kids “Way to go” or go go go! We hang our heads together when we have a rough game, knowing the team will feel the loss. What amazes me is the camaraderie we share, the relationships we build albeit only for the months together until it’s the next team, the next year.

The sense of belonging for the months together.

Schools are the same. We have 10 months together before some move on. Like the hockey parents of the arena, we too hold that coffee in our hands as we patrol the halls, trading the same knowing looks, and smiles’. We cringe together when we see the bad choices that lead to the “penalty box” and we cheer at the success together.

As humans we all have a need to belong to something larger than our selves. I am proud to be a part of the SPC Team. The warmth and welcome of the staff, students and parents this year has humbled me. The camaraderie is reminiscent of my early Saturday mornings. Thanks for helping me find where I belong!

Shawna S. is a dedicated hockey mom and new Assistant Principal at Stony Plain Central School.

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by The U.S. Army

In Social Studies, we have been learning about qualities of leaders. A leader is a person who takes charge. They encourage and inspire others but they don’t tell people what to do. A dictator is someone who tells people what to do. Cuba is a dictatorship whereas Canada is a democracy.  Leaders are able to help build up confidence and they share ideas. Leaders will accept others ideas and if they think it is best for everyone’s future, and for them, they will put their ideas into action.  A leader believes in him or herself and believes in others.

Some examples of leaders are Presidents, Mayors, police, parents, coaches and teachers. Leaders have qualities that encourage and inspire those who need it. For example, if you were a  teacher you  would have kids that are learn in different ways, and some might learn faster than others. You would try your best to teach all the kids the same thing and have them both understand in different ways.

A really good leader in my life is my mom because she is always doing her best to encourage others and she sets a good example for others around her. For example she stays healthy and does what’s most important first. She does what’s right and keeps our family safe. To pick and decide who you want to be Prime Minister, Premier and Mayor you take a vote. Anyone who wants the job will prepare a speech and on a certain day all the people will read their speeches and everyone that is voting will have to listen very carefully  to make sure they catch anything they try to sneak in that is not good for their future or anyone else’s. For example they could say your ideas are awesome but not say anything about putting them into action. There are leaders all around you. Leaders are in your community, neighbourhood, town and city. They have many qualities and ideas to share. They will inspire and encourage you. Most of all they will guide you through life.

Jamie is a Grade 3 student who enjoys going to the gym with her Dad, cuddling with her parents and spending time with her family. At school she enjoys writing and Boot Camp in gym. Jamie has two pet frogs named Mr. Jiggles and Little Cuddle Buggle. 

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Spring Dew

One thing I learned this year was about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which was important to me is because it lays down the laws we have as Canadians. If you learn your rights now you most likely be able to follow them throughout your life and manage them. I learned that the Charter has many different sections to it and that we have a lot of rights if we respect them. In the charter there are many different parts and underneath every part is what it is you have for that part. For example under your mobility rights it says you can move in out and around Canada.

Something I do out of school is Tae kwon do where I have had to learn to manage my time for school as well as Tae kwon do. I do Tae kwon do Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for 2 hours every night. Tae kwon do is a martial art with many different clubs, but the one I belong to is Phoenix. I joined Tae kwon do to exercise, learn self-defense and to meet new people. Now that I have been in Tae kwon do for a while I have decided to go up in the levels to get to my black belt!

It is important to do a sport out of school, but you have to make sure that you have your grades in the right place so that you can have a good career. If you don’t try hard in school now it will affect you in the future! Balancing this with a sport makes for a well-rounded life.

Jessica is a grade nine student at HPS who enjoys getting involved in activities.

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My first day of school (at the office)…

Alas – where to begin? Today marked Day 12 of a new chapter in my professional career that saw me leave the comfy confines of downtown Edmonton to join Parkland School Division (PSD) as their new Director of Communications. Starting a new job is much like your first day of school, albeit on a different scale – finding your office replaces finding your homeroom, locating your parking stall replaces waiting at the bus stop, and touring the office offsets that awkward front-of-class introduction from your teacher labelling you as the ‘new classmate.’

For all of the nervous energy that accompanies going to school on the first day, or joining a workplace as the new communications guy, that apprehension begins to fade when you get settled in and begin to meet the people in the school or workplace that you’re joining.

Early in my professional career, I learned that there is one common element that defines leading, and future-focused organizations – the people.  And, from what I’ve been able to see in my short tenure thus far, PSD is no different in this regard.

From the simplest of interactions, such as moving the 1970s era furnishings from my office, to more complex challenges such as working with the leadership team to define communications approaches on a topical division-wide issue, I’ve encountered a sense of team and willingness to support one another at every turn. Talented, committed, and incredibly kind people are leading this organization at every level.

PSD has an internal working motto of ‘collaborate, create, and learn.’ While this mantra may not be top-of-mind for everyone in every instance, I have observed the people at PSD live these values.

The prevailing question we’re asked to address in this post is ‘What have you learned today?’ In my case, it’s not so much what I’ve learned as opposed to what I have remembered – and, that is committed and caring people shape successful organizations. Thank-you PSD for welcoming this new classmate!

Brian Leadbetter is the Director of Communications with Parkland School Division (PSD). Prior to joining PSD he served in senior communications roles with the Official Opposition at the Alberta Legislature, Northlands and the City of Edmonton.

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Klearchos Kapoutsis

The Love of Leadership

I am in my seventh year of being the Assistant Principal of Duffield School. I often reflect on my job and over the Christmas break I found myself reflecting on my journey initially as a teacher and now as an Assistant Principal.

Who can be a leader? This was the question that I wrestled with.

Being a leader in the educational setting is extremely complex. Many people view leadership as the one person that is in charge. However, in order for an institution as multifaceted as the educational system to function efficiently, there must be leadership at all levels.

The role of a teacher leader also needs to go beyond the classroom and into the entire school community. It is vital for staff to take a leadership role among their colleagues. Every teacher brings something unique to the school, and it is important for teachers to become involved in the school setting. This can be anything from volunteering for school athletics to being the ATA key contact person. It is also important to go beyond the school and get involved within the division for which you work. There are various leadership opportunities at the division level that need to be filled by people that excel in different areas. Once again, it is valuable to take a look at your strengths and see where you best fit into the leadership continuum within the school division for which you work. In order for a division to be competitive and function within the provincial educational system and the world, strong leadership is a requirement.

As you can see the concept of leadership can take place close to home in the classroom setting and transform into leadership at a world level. It is extremely difficult to become competitive and remain competitive at a world level. Therefore, it is imperative that all staff that work in the environment feel confident enough to step forward to show their strengths.

My answer to the initial question of who can be a leader is that everyone can once they know their strengths and are willing to lead others. This then should guide our focus on what we need to develop in our students. We need to start by helping our students to realize and develop their strengths further. This is a strength based model rather than a deficit based model which is one of the goals our Learning Coaches are focusing on in Parkland School Division.

Darla Senkow is the Assistant Principal of Duffield School. This is her seventh year at Duffield School and has worked for Parkland School Division for the past 10 years. She enjoys the combination of working in administration and being in the classroom with students. This year she is teaching Grade 8 Language Arts.