Last night we navigated our way through our first 16 interviews, from 4 pm to 9:30 pm.  As I’ve shared in previous posts, I absolutely love interview season.  It is a privilege to meet so many educators who are courageously placing themselves in a position to apply for a new assignment.  Their reasons for transferring schools are varied and range from being surplussed at their current school, to looking for a new adventure.  As we neared the end of the evening, we transitioned into our last virtual interview room and were greeted by a candidate who had this lovely lush green background on her screen ~ it looked so incredible and life like.  Her lighting was fabulous, resembling a sunny day.  Whereas we were sitting in our offices and occasionally waving our arms, so that our lights didn’t automatically switch off, thus leaving us in darkness.

As a part of our interview process, we ask candidates to come prepared to share an artefact that represents something that they are proud of from their current school year. They can speak to their artefact, or if they choose, they can prepare a visual to share with us.  We were treated to some amazing presentations, which truly reflected the candidates’ creativity and passion for their students and their profession.   As this candidate started her presentation, it was evident from the visuals, that her proudest moment had been from her latest teaching assignment in the Northwest Territories, where she was one of four teachers at Chief Paul Niditchie School.   We had an informative discussion about the challenges and successes of such a unique assignment and community.

Ironically, this candidate had selected something from their Christmas celebration to highlight and one of our other candidates who is an educator here in TVDSB also selected a Christmas themed presentation. It was so interesting that those special celebrations, whether here in SW Ontario or in the far reaches of the Northwest Territories hold a special place in the heart of an educator.

As the interview was wrapping us, we apologized for the lateness of the interview time and to our surprise, she shared that “on the west coast it was still relatively early” and that she was very happy to be able to chat with us from her Eco-Pod.   At which point, it dawned on us, that the beautiful, lush background, which we had anticipated was computer generated, was her actual real-life background.   As this was our final interview of the evening, she offered to give us a tour of the self-sustained eco-friendly home that she was volunteering to build, as she finished off this year. She shared the circumstances of being on the island and how COVID had impacted the number of volunteered permitted to be a part of the building at this time.  She had arrived just prior to the closing of the island.  As we saw the home and the building progress to date, it was utterly amazing what they were doing with worn-out tires, solar panels, recycled bottles etc.

I often comment about how much we learn from this interview process.  By providing candidates with open-ended opportunities to share their work, we gain incredible insight into their practice ~ much more so than asking them to answer our pre-determined questions, on the spot, without time to prepare.  Our goal is to create the conditions for candidates to shine!    We were able to see inside so many of our TVDSB schools (through the presentations) and it was with a sense of pride for the whole organization that we witnessed such incredible practice occurring in so many schools.

Learning about the commitment to global environmental issues through the work that this candidate is immersed in, in BC, was certainly another incredible learning opportunity for us as an interview team.

As an interviewer, what is something incredible that you’ve learned through the interview process?

Come write with me…..

I’ve been a huge Kevin Costner fan for years ~ going back to the time that he played the corpse in The Big Chill (a bit of trivia of movie trivia).  Most recently in the Amazon Prime series, Yellowstone, in which he plays the patriarch of the Dutton family, I have enjoyed his horse-riding, foul-mouthed no-nonsense approach to protecting the Montana ranch that has been in his family for generations.  But it is his portrayal of Sonny Weaver Jr. in the movie Draft Day that comes to mind this morning as I prepare for an evening of interviewing candidates for open positions at our school.   For those of you who have yet to enjoy this movie, the premise is simple and yet so creatively depicted. Without giving away too much of the plot, the movie takes the viewer through one single day in the life of the general manager of the Cleveland Browns ~ the most important day ~ draft day.   Through split screens and several transitions from frame to frame the story focuses not only on Weaver, but on the lives of everyone who is about to impacted by the decisions.   We see into the lives of the potential new Cleveland Brown players and into the lives of the current team members.   Although spring staffing in a school board does not garner the same amount of hype as the NFL Draft day ~ it is an actual televised process, with lights and bells and whistles ~ there are a number of similarities.

Over the next few nights, we will interview 30 candidates, who have all had to narrow their selection of interviews to only three, for five open positions here at Sir Arthur Currie.   I continue to be humbled and excited when candidates select Sir Arthur Currie as one of their three choices. It is incumbent upon us as an interview team to do our best to shine a bright light on our school and what it has to offer.  Unlike the NHL draft, we can not offer more in salary, but we can offer a strong sense of school community, a collaborative and fun-loving team, and a school environment where new team members will undoubtedly be immersed in authentic learning for not only their students but for themselves as educators.

We also know that potential candidates have so much to think about when selecting to interview for a new position.  How will a new school impact their family lives (more driving, less driving)?  Are they looking for a new challenge?  Are they leaving a school community where they have already built strong ties?  Are they looking for a fresh start?

Similarly, to many scenes in the movie, where we see Sonny connecting with the General Managers of the other football teams, I’ve appreciated phone calls from colleagues sharing how fortunate we are that candidates are considering us.  They have been supportive of an educator’s decision to try something new, and they have been singing their praises.   That information is golden when we are looking at making very challenging decisions to select only 1 candidate per assignment.

And just like in the movie, when we consider our decisions, we are looking for candidates who are not just exceptional educators, but who have what it takes to be a good team player for our SAC Crew. No one wants an outstanding quarterback, who doesn’t know how to communicate to the running back to the receivers.

And finally, just like Costner’s character, who is navigating news of impending fatherhood, our lives as an interview team continue to change and evolve. As a school, we find ourselves with another positive case of COVID. With the Ministry’s message about delaying the timelines for families to declare their preference for their child’s learning model until June, we find ourselves wondering about the repercussions of what those delays will mean for class placement meetings, timetabling, staffing and in our case portables, movement of educators, purchasing of furniture and equipment for our additional classes, etc.  Yet, tonight at 4:00 pm as we dive into our first interview, all of that is pushed out of our minds as we focus on the candidates and ensuring that we create an experience that allows them to shine.

Are you currently “playing” in the interview rounds, as a candidate or on an interview team?

Come write with me…

When it comes to giving gifts, I often feel that my choice of gifts never adequately shows my love and appreciation for the recipients.  I am always in awe of those individuals who find just the right gift for just the right occasion.  Recently, I was thrilled to be the recipient of one of those creative and meaningful gifts, just prior to the birth of our granddaughter.  A good friend, Denise Taylor Edwards, who knows my passion for writing, gifted me with a journal. As I unwrapped the gift, I recalled George Couros visiting Thames Valley years ago and addressing our administrators and senior team members.  George and his wife had just welcomed their first daughter.  George lovingly shared that he had already created an email account for his daughter and was starting to populate it with letters and artefacts.  At that time, I wished I had started something similar for my own children when they were young.

Fast forward to March 28 ~ the day that I opened this beautiful leather-bound journal for the first time and crafted the first, of what I hope will be many, many entries.  I documented the details of Ellie’s journey into this world and our hopes for her. To date, I have written 12 entries (one for each of the times that I’ve been blessed to spend time with her).

Although the last thing I want to do is to wish away any of her time growing up, I can’t help but wonder at what point in her life I’ll be able to “gift” her this journal.

Do you keep a journal for yourself or for a loved one?

Come write with me….

Have you ever reached a part in a book where every sense in your body immediately relives a time/place in your life?   Deep within the pages of Elizabeth Acevedo’s novel, “Clap When You Land”, there is a chapter that begins with, “But sancocho is a daylong dish to make. It has many steps; it’s making a pact with time that you will be patient & the outcome will be delicious”.  As I turned the book over and sat in silence, my mind immediately drifted to those many summers that I spent in the Dominican Republic with our Teacher Mentors Abroad team. TMA is an organization that is near and dear to my heart. For the past 15 years, Canadian educators have been partnering with Dominican mentors to learn from each other as we impact a global movement to support educators and their professional learning.  The experience is both rewarding and humbling and I long for the days that we can, once again, travel to the DR and continue our work.  As an organization we have shifted to connecting via zoom meetings, in order to maintain our connections.  But you will never smell sancocho via a zoom meeting.

One of the many traditions associated with our work is a final night celebration, when the team is invited to Isobel’s home where she proudly and lovingly serves us some delicious sancocho that has been cooking all day.  The smell of the mixture of meat and vegetables wafts through the air as enjoy each other’s company through conversation and dance until the long awaited, “It’s ready” is shared in both Spanish and English.  As Canadian visitors it does not go unnoticed on our part that this family has probably sacrificed their entire meat ration for at least a month, in order for them to share this special meal.

Unlike our celebration, in Acevedo’s novel, the family is preparing sancocho to serve to guests as they come together for the funeral of a father, who died in a plane crash ~ a man who unbeknownst to both families was living a double life.  The story unfolds as Camino who lives in the DR and Yahaira, who lives in New York City discover each other and together, come to terms with the news and how to ultimately create a blended family.

As I craft this post, I have the novel on my desk, in my office, with a sticky note attached, “First Chapter Friday”.  I was scheduled to share the first chapter of this novel with one of our grade 8 classes when we returned Spring Break.   I’m hopeful that I’ll still have that opportunity at some point this year.

When was the last time you read something that you couldn’t wait to share with someone else?

Come write with me….

This weekend we worked on finalizing a Christmas gift from my son-in-law.  He had created a metal work art piece of our last name.  Our job was to paint it, create the plaque to mounted it on and attach it the pillar in the front of our property.  I had just snapped a photo of the finished product to send to a friend and got back into my car when the 60s funny, catching tune, “The Name Game” sung by Shirley Ellis came on the radio.  It immediately brought back memories of listening to the Goofy Greats album when I was younger. So, as I continued my drive into school I started to think about the power of our names and the power that they play in our lives.   I know as a family we recently welcomed our first granddaughter and there was great excitement about what her name was going to be and then the final reveal on the day of her birth.  My daughter and her husband chose to use my maiden name, Taylor, as her middle name.  My parents were beyond thrilled!  There is such pride, sentiment and meaning associated with family names.

When our own children were born, I recall that there was less excitement with my Dutch in-laws as we broke with tradition and did not give our children Dutch first names.

As my day continued, my administrator partner shared that today was her son’s name day.  I had never heard about such a celebration and was excited to learn more.  She shared that in the Greek culture, when people are named after a saint, on the day of the saint’s special feast, those individuals who share the same name as the saint, celebrate their name day. So today, Georgie and Grandpa were selecting St. George Day!

Following our conversation about name day, I recalled that a few months ago, when we invited Leroy Hibbert to speak to our junior and intermediate classes about racism, he shared a video about the power of names and more specifically about names of Asian heritage. The participants within the video spoke to the notion that most of them had adopted an English name as others found it too challenging to pronounce their Asian name.  They proudly shared the meaning behind their names and how their parents had intentionally selected them. The descriptions were breath-taking and so powerful.

Today, like every other day, I continue to make a commitment to listen carefully as families share their names and to seek clarification as I do my best to honour the correct pronunciation.

Does your name hold special significance for you?

Come write with me….

As educators we are blessed with a tremendous number of those moments that take our breath away. For some it’s seeing the joy in the eyes of a child as they finally understand a concept. We often refer to that as the light bulb moment.  For others, it’s that moment when a student who is learning English as a second or third language magically speaks in class and their classmates cheer as they hear their voice for the first time.  How many of us have been emotionally impacted when one of our students scores their first basket or finally masters Double Dutch.  Then there are those moments of pride when we see our students comfort a friend on the school yard or extend a welcoming wave to a new classmate.

One of the most recent moments, which took my breath away, began when an educator was proudly sharing the artwork that their class had just completed.  Amongst the many amazing creations was a pencil sketch of masked classmate holding a notebook and pencil.  From an artistic lens it was effectively crafted ~ proportions were realistic, shading provided depth and the attention to detail was obvious. This student is a wonderful artist!

Yet, as beautifully sketched as this piece of artwork was, it was not the craftsmanship that took my breath away; it was the fact that this student (completely unbeknownst to him), with one drawing had effectively captured what I couldn’t bring myself to say out loud.   It’s as if COVID (symbolized by the mask and closed eyes) had somehow silenced my voice (the closed notebook) and hence my confidence to document our journey through this pandemic.  The literal mask and every implication that wearing a mask has had on us as a society had become a figurative mask and the closed notebook symbolized the days, weeks and then months that went by without a single post. As I reflect over this past year, I can’t help but wonder if my reluctance to blog (something which I enjoy and gives me a sense of pride) was somehow connected to my fear of how my writer’s voice was going to be impacted by all that we were navigating, as a school community and as a society.   Was I going to be less positive and too focused on the negatives of COVID? Not realistic enough or vulnerable enough to share the struggles and frustrations?

This moment that took my breath away, also breathed new life into my commitment to writing and I will forever remember the powerful impact of this student’s artwork. When I shared my strong connection to his artwork, the student was grateful for the compliment and thrilled that I found it so meaningful.  He was also very humble and shrugged it off as, “Just something I did one day when my work was done”.

Have there been figurative masks and closed notebooks in your life lately? How has the past year affected you and your voice?  Join me in being brave and removing the figurative mask to share our experiences.

Come write with me…

As the COVID pandemic continues to impact our daily routines, including accessing only the essentials when we go grocery shopping, stores have had to find creative ways to ensure that customers do not aimlessly wander into those “out of bounds” non-essential spots.  Today, as I completed my weekly shopping and made my way towards the check-out, I found myself wondering about the number of purchases of chips and whether they have increased, as this store’s solution to keeping us out of bounds was to create aisles upon aisles of Lays, Miss Vickie’s, Doritos, Cheetos, etc. as their barriers.  How many customers, who had already passed the regular chips aisle, decided to place a bag in their carts as they wove their way to the front of the store, or as they stood in line waiting to be directed to the next available cashier?

This is indeed product placement at it’s best. According to the The Psychology Behind Retail Product Placement post,  there are four factors which lead to effective product placement:

• Essentials at the back
• Luxury items at the front
• Eye level is buy level
• Complementary products side by side
• Give space

In reflecting on our current online learning model and the significant appeal of Google Classroom banners, I couldn’t help but wonder about the similarities between the two.   It’s not hard to draw the connections between online learning and consumer fulfilment.  Educators are working extremely hard to gain the attention of their consumer (the students) against several competing factors (home circumstances, spring weather, online gaming etc.) ~ much like our choices in the store.

As educators design these virtual invitations to their online classrooms, what would it look like to have the essentials at the back.  Does that mean that students would need to work their way through other material in order to get to the sites/activities that are the most necessary? What are the entry level luxury items that we might use to entice a student away from Fortnite and to our Google Classroom?

Once we return to our beloved world of in-person learning, what role could product placement play in our classrooms?   Would we rethink our classroom libraries?  Our math manipulative placement? The visuals on our walls?

As a side note… It worked! Mr. Bruyns was treated to a bag of his favourite Miss Vickie’s chips, even though they weren’t on the grocery list.

Come right with me….

The pen is rusty and the keys on the keyboard may not sing as sweetly or as swiftly as they once did, but I could not let this day end without documenting today’s experience which reminded me of the power of student choice, student voice and an authentic audience.

Last week, one of our grade 8 teachers left a Post-It note on my desk with today’s date, 10:00 am and Museum.  As always, I’m thrilled with invitations to come and see our students shine and specific reminders ensure that I don’t miss those special highlights as I make my way through classrooms each day.

As I ventured into the grade 8 classroom, our students were busily setting up their displays ~ complete with flashing lights, sound bars, detailed cardboard structures, meticulously illustrated comic books, creative graphic novellas, clay models and more.  I started to make my way from one presentation to the next as I learned about the journey of American slaves, which ended here in London Ontario.   The engagement in the assignment was evident as each duo of students articulated the narrative of their chosen individual, their background, their struggles and in most cases pictures of the actual homes (which are still standing) where they eventually ended up living.  This was truly new learning for me and listened intently to each group.

At one point, I veered from my consecutive pattern of following the circle of displays and crisscrossed to the other side of the room and the duo (that I had “skipped, until later) were concerned enough to let Miss Spratt know that I had “missed” them.   After explaining that it was very crowded at that time I was initially walking past, the duo of presenters seemed so excited to share their display and it was a tangible reminder of how important an authentic audience is to our students.

One of the presentations was so intricate and elegantly designed.  When I inquired about the treasure box container, the two students, who are working so hard to learn English, shared that their ESL teacher had lent it to them.  It was a wonderful reminder of how intentionally our staff works together to support our students.

As the time ticked by, I knew that we were getting close to the first nutrition break and the remaining time was limited. I had one more display to visit.  From a distance I could see a Chromebook, a few novels, a quarter, two sheets of notes and the duo of presenters.  There was no glitz or glitter, no statues or structures, no lights or landscapes.

When I arrived, the girls clicked the play button on the slide show on the Chromebook as visuals of fields, loneliness, schools and homes transitioned from slide to slide and then they started.  Their presentation was a masterpiece. It was a memorized and mesmerizing rant, poem and Readers’ Theatre all rolled into one.  The emphasis on words ~ through pacing, volume and emotion drew me into their presentation like nothing I’ve experienced.  The quarter and each novel (such simple yet effective props) were precisely presented, like a fine tuned choreographed number as they dramatically came to the part about the importance of education and the destruction of the slave school.

Needless to say, we continued long into the start of the break.  As they came to the end, I was speechless and emotional. I couldn’t effectively articulate how utterly amazed, impressed and proud I was of how they had decided to share their learning on this topic and how it impacted me as a listener and learner.

I did share that there was not a “mark” that their teacher could provide them that would adequately and authentically capture their work and more importantly the impact that it had on me and the others.

This was a much needed reminder about providing our students with choice when it comes to presenting their learning.  When we place boundaries around assignments, we are limiting creativity, thinking and learning.  We must remember that learners are capable, competent and they love a challenge.

When students are provided with choice, we give them the gift of using their voice in a way that makes sense to them, in a way that they can connect with the learning and in turn connect their learning to others.

How do you provide students with choice, voice and authentic audience? Come write with me…..

#oneword 2021

If this past year has taught us anything, it is that our ideal of perfection can be quickly and ever-so unapologetically swept from beneath us.  Last year at this time, I had selected Focus as my #oneword 2020 with the intent of tightening my focus both personally and professionally.  From a school lens, I was feeling that finally in our third year as a new school we were able to shift, if ever so slightly, from the logistics of our growing population and the challenges associated with that, to a focus on the work of goal setting.  Plans were falling into beautiful alignment with early literacy interventions and numeracy diagnostics.  Our intermediate students were trained to work as reading coaches with our grade one learners and our kindergarten students were embracing counting principles and singing subitizing songs as they ventured down the hallway.  January brought a flurry of learning activities despite the political unrest of job action.  Yet, even through those days, our staff continued to focus on their students, each other and our goals.  And then, the unthinkable and inconceivable happened ~ news of a virus invading Asia had made its way to our backyard and we were to enter a lockdown.  Our focus swiftly shifted from goal setting to Google and as they say, the rest is history.  I often wonder how the COVID-19 pandemic will be documented for future generations and the long term impact which we have no way of anticipating at this time, as we are still in the epicenter of it.

On the eve of 2021, when others make resolutions, promises and proposals, I select #oneword which hopefully provides guidance throughout the year and reminders of what I’m feeling on this special evening. This year, after much soul-searching, I’ve chosen Grace as my word.

Regardless of what lies ahead may I show Grace to all of those with whom I have the gift of their friendship and love.  This past year we were gifted with a window into the lives (both literally and figuratively) of so many people.  Zooming from our home into the homes of others, supporting friends as they found the loneliness of lockdown unbearable and reassuring our colleagues that they are doing a tremendous job under the most bizarre and unimaginable circumstances.  With no immediate end in sight to these windows, it is more important than ever that we demonstrate kindness, charity and leniency (Grace) as we sustain others.

There is no playbook for a pandemic.  And we’re not building an airplane in the sky ~ because with an airplane we know that somewhere there are blueprints and we know what the end product is supposed to resemble.  We have no idea how this is going to end.   Which in and of itself provides a freedom from the restraints of trying to get it perfect.

So, I freely absolve myself of the notion of working towards perfection and instead endeavor to lead with, love with and fill my days laughing with Grace!

Happy 2021 to All

When Annette suggests a book, I read it. I end up loving it and wondering why I hadn’t stumbled on to it before her recommendation. Her suggestions make me think, question, evaluate, reflect and always get me excited to share my new found “best” read with someone else.  With picture books and Young Adult novels, it’s one or sometimes many of the classes in my school who are on the receiving end ~ Mrs. Bruyns does a Book Tour. With social justice selections it’s colleagues and family members.  But with her latest recommendations (in form of a gift) I’m compelled to share my reflections with the author, Rachel McMillan. Oh what I wouldn’t do to sit down and enjoy a drink with this lady!

Last Friday, Annette gifted me with “Dream, Plan & Go ~ a travel guide to inspire your independent adventure”. Rachel’s latest book. This morning, as the skies opened up and we were treated to a thunderous summer storm, I stayed under my bed covers and read it from cover to cover.

It is a rare gift to feel that you know the author and some members of their family as you read their words and relive their experiences.  Rachel is Annette’s niece. They have a special bond, which emerges through the book, through their social media banter and from stories that Annette has shared over the years.  I loved the references to Annette and her daughter Hannah in the book. I had the privilege of attending Hannah’s fundraiser and can easily hear Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” playing in the background at her house.  When I was there last week, it was the soundtrack from “Eurovision”. Music plays such an integral role in Annette’s life!  Plus, I can just imagine the conversation about Klaus J

In reading this book, I can now understand Rachel’s tweet a few months ago about desperately needing to travel. It’s in her blood; it’s a part of her world.

Although my travel stories do not begin with, “Once when I was in Paris, Vienna, Dubai, Ireland, Brussels etc.,” I still felt a kindred spirit to Rachel as she shared her need for quiet moments, for traveling alone and for being able to select adventures that feed your soul.

Back in 2010, I started a tradition of renting a cottage for myself for one week.  Each summer I selected a different location ~ Long Point, Port Elgin, Grand Bend, Port Stanley and Lake Chesley.  I packed my bike, my stack of books and my laptop.  For my week at Lake Chesley, I also had my kayak.  I recall that my family members and friends seemed perplexed at how I would spend my days.  But I loved it. I explored nearby shops, rode my bike, read the day away or tapped the keyboard on my laptop when inspired by the writing fairies.

In 2015 we invested in a family cottage. My husband joked that now I didn’t need to rent my summer cottage.  Although the last few summers have been fraught with knee surgery (which incapacitated me from launching and docking the boat on my own), this summer I returned to full health and hence having a few days of solitude at the cottage.

One of the other key messages in Rachel’s book is about finding adventures in your own backyard and in unexpected places.  She speaks so fondly about my hometown, London. There are so many places that I take for granted that they will always be there, like the Covent Market Garden. And yet the tragedy of Notre Dame Church is a lesson in not waiting until tomorrow.

So, now that the rain has subsided and the sunshine has emerged, I’m off to explore London o

n my bike. We’re hitting the Thames Valley Bike Trails.  Thanks Annette for the suggestion too !

Rachel ~ the next time you’re visiting your Tante Annette, I’ve placed a request for an invite. We can talk about Sherlock Holmes (I loved The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder), although I may refer to the Robert Downey Jr/Jude Law movies a couple of times, travel, fine food and fashion.

Thank you for this book ~ the messages of empowerment, not waiting until tomorrow and conquering your fears (even heights) are so important, especially now!