CBE 182
Follow us on:
  • The Stories
  • About CBE 182
  • Write For CBE 182
  • Calendar of Writers

#CBE182 Day 54: Tracy Evans, Learning Leader, Sundance School

11/22/2017

0 Comments

 
"The truth about stories, is that's all we are." 
Thomas King
The Grade 3 students at Sundance School are working closely together with the Niitsitapi Aboriginal Learning Centre to tell the stories learned there and to begin to tell the stories of the artifacts housed in our school as a part of telling our Sundance Story. As a part of this work, students spent a morning at the learning centre with Leslie, Jessie and Shane, listening to stories and asking questions.

When we came back to school, students reflected in their visual journals on favourite parts of the day. Many students mentioned artifacts like Sammy Walmart, the canoe, and the entrance to the building as being favourite elements. Participating in a smudge was a unique opportunity for students and keeps coming back up in conversations around the day.

In our building, the Grade 3 students have posted a public "wonder wall" and have invited students, staff and community members to participate through the visible thinking routine "see, think, wonder". In addition, students are working to tell the stories, first orally then through writing, music, and drama, to pay the stories forward, with the expectation that those who hear the stories will pay them forward to other students and community members.

As a teacher, it has been profoundly moving to see students so engaged in their work and I very much look forward to sharing the Sundance Story as it unfolds.


Tracy Evans (@evans306) works with Grade 3 students at Sundance School and spends her days in awe of the amazing wonder and joy they bring to the learning journey each day.

0 Comments

#CBE182 Day49: Nadine Al Chami, Substitute Teacher, Crescent Heights High School

11/14/2017

0 Comments

 
Language is a powerful tool that can be used to boost morale in student achievement. As teachers, we should not be afraid of setting high expectations for our students. With those high expectations, we would also use positive language to encourage morale and boost achievement. In our Social 10 class, we have this one particular student, whom we shall name B, that humorously claims to be “dumb.” After hearing B say “I’m dumb” a few times at the beginning of the course, we made a new rule: you are not allowed to be dumb in this class. B was skeptical of this claim and he truly thought he was not smart. So we had a sit down and I reassured him, based on the work that he has submitted, that he was in fact smart.

​After this little motivational boost, B no longer joked at being dumb, but was is even more brilliant, is his new found commitment to improving! He is taking all notes of feedback and independently revising his work, participating more in class, and staying focused on completing all tasks. He also advocates for himself and asks to sit in a quiet area to complete learning activities. I have seen such a huge difference with B and it all started with the use of language. We set high expectations and we used positive language to follow through. It’s truly amazing what students can achieve when they have the right support, and sometimes that support is simply a positive comment.


Nadine Al Chami (@nadinechami4) teaches high school social studies and uses art and innovation to empower students to own their learning.


0 Comments

#CBE182 Day 12: John Kershaw, Teacher, Douglasdale School

9/19/2017

0 Comments

 

​​Beginner’s Mind

For the last 11 plus school years, I have taught in the CSSI (Communication, Sensory and Social Interaction) program.  All of the students in this program are profoundly affected by autism.  I loved working with these students and watching them grow.  I made it a point to provide as many inclusion opportunities for them as possible within a safe environment.

As much as I loved working with these students, I felt I needed a change.  In August, I had the opportunity to change roles.  After setting up my CSSI classroom for the year, I moved across the hall and set up a grade 2 classroom.  These last two weeks have been filled with new learnings for me as I take my experience in special education and transfer it to a new setting.  In many ways, I feel like a rookie again.

Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki said, in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice<https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/231282>, "In the Beginner's Mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few."

I feel so many possibilities open up for me, for my new students and for my former students.  I see my former students nearly every day and I am planning on working on some buddy projects with my new class and my former class.

Together, my new students and I are learning together and creating community.


John Kershaw (@jmkershaw) – teacher, strong supporter of inclusion, Loose Mooser,  life-long learner
0 Comments

#CBE182 Day 11: Derek Rakowski, Principal, Belvedere Parkway School

9/18/2017

0 Comments

 

​Onboarding and Welcoming New Students and Teachers

Picture
My professional belief is that our school has about 30 seconds to set up and develop a positive impression on new families and their students. How they are welcomed as they come into the school, the school office, and into their classroom has a huge impact on the future trajectory of all of our students.

As such, at BelPark we have really delved into how we welcome and create positive relationships with our new students, as well as our new teachers, to our school. This year, we have implemented some fantastic ways to connect with our new community members:
  • Our 1st Family Open House on Friday September 1st, before the long weekend. We had new families as well as previous families attend. It helped to get rid of a ton of anxiety, and we had many kids who would have struggled make it happily into classroom on the first day.
  • All teachers emailed letters of introduction and welcome, along with a personal photo, home over the summer using SchoolMessenger.
  • Individual Family Tours with the Admin Team as new students were registered were set up through appointments.
  • We see everyone as a BelPark Ambassador, whether students, teachers, or parents! Our students have taken this to heart!
  • Our staff members were so open and embracing of sharing our school context and culture, enabling new teachers to gain an understanding of BelPark and our students’ specific needs.
  • Our staff and teams came together to support one another in classroom setup, finding and moving furniture, planning, etc.
  • Our Staff Meeting Minutes, School Organizational, Family and Assessment Handbooks are set up as online resources in OneDrive so that new staff can easily read through for referencing the processes we have set up.
  • We have purposefully minimized the amount of meeting time so that our new teams could plan and come together around developing excellent student learning opportunities.
  • As we now have our new wireless network set up in the school, we have adopted Twitter as our classroom and school communication tool (@BelParkCBE). Teachers are now able to share out what students are doing in class each day so parents are able to understand what their kids are engaged in.
  • Less intentionally, I share out entries from my own personal professional blog (https://unravelingnewfrontiers.wordpress.com/), which allows me to share my own reflections, goals, and thoughts with our staff as well as the world at large…

Keep learning tonnes!
Derek

Derek Rakowski (@derekrakowski) has been a CBE student, teacher, and principal. He still thinks he has the best job in the world, as he is learning each and every day…

0 Comments

#CBE182 Day 8: Danielle Boutette, Physical Education LL, Louis Riel School

9/15/2017

1 Comment

 

National Concussion Awareness Day - Sept 15th 2017

Friday February, 24th 2017 was the day that my life turned upside down. An accidental hit to the head during a PE class and my world was left spinning. As a coach and PE teacher I have concussion training. I’ve done the courses, know the symptoms and warning signs, but for some reason after getting hit in the head, the thought of a concussion never crossed my mind. I didn’t think I was hit hard enough to have a concussion so I dismissed the symptoms (and everything the concussion training tells you). It wasn’t until my symptoms continued to get worse that I went to the doctor. I was given a SCAT (Standardized Concussion Assessment Test), which I failed miserably. I couldn’t remember words or numbers, had delayed response to questions and had severe balance impairments.

Weeks and months went by and my symptoms were slowly improving. I was diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS). PCS is a complex disorder where various concussion symptoms last for weeks, months, or years after a concussion. It’s strange how you can live your life never coming across the phrase “Post Concussion Syndrome”, never thinking about it, and then, boom, a series of events means you don’t go a day without thinking about PCS; how to fight it, how to solve it like a puzzle, how to explain it to doctors, or family, or friends.

I never could have imagined that something that seemed so minor could have such long-lasting and severe impact on my life. Today, almost seven months after my injury, countless hours of rest and continued rehabilitation I’m thankful to finally be feeling better. I was very fortunate to have a strong support system during my recovery, with my family and friends keeping me positive. I’m back at work at Louis Riel doing “work hardening” where I am slowly getting back into the gym. My staff and administration have been utterly supportive and I am eternally grateful to all of them for their continued encouragement.

If you take anything from reading this post please take every hit to the head seriously. Don’t just push through, or say you’re ok if you feel symptoms. I encourage every teacher, coach and parent to take the FREE online concussion training. Education and awareness of concussions is what we need to help prevent, and diagnose this misunderstood injury.

CBE Concussion Training through Staff Insite - Click here or search, “concussion training”
https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html


Danielle Boutette - Health and Physical Education Advocate, mom of 3, go leafs go!
1 Comment

#CBE182 is back for 2017-2018!

9/12/2017

0 Comments

 

Sign up to share your story!

CBE182 is back for for year 5! 

Through this grassroots initiative, we strive to share good stories of the everyday, awesome learning that happens in the Calgary Board of Education. We encourage you to step forward, take a risk, and share something that you've done, been involved in, have thought about, something that has made you think differently! We encourage anyone who is connected to CBE in any way to follow along and share a story about learning. 

We thank you in advance! Also, please consider sharing this with two friends - teachers, students, parents, community members!

Here is a video that we have shared before on CBE 182. Watch it, think about and share!
See you on the blog!
​The CBE182 team
0 Comments

CBE182: Summer Edition - Stephan Wiebe, Curriculum Specialist, Ed Centre

7/22/2017

2 Comments

 

​Reflection, Documentation and Self-Regulated Learning

The summer break is an important part of the cycle of a school year. Each phase of the year brings it’s own excitement, challenges and opportunities. For me, summer is a time to reflect and consider ways to grow during the next school year. This year I’ve found there is something significant missing from my professional practice, which is supporting my own learning with artifacts and documentation. Just as we ask students to make their learning and thinking visible, this is important for professional learning as well.

If learning is an iterative process with many imperfect attempts along the way, but with many opportunities to try again, it is essential to document our efforts. Without this, the evidence for deeper reflection and to guide our adjustments is missing. In Barry Zimmerman’s model of self-regulated learning there are three phases: forethought, performance, and reflection. A key component of the performance phase is monitoring to allow for later reflection. In learning this, I’ve come to see that the spinning wheel of my iterative process is missing a spoke. I can roll along ok, but I’ll run into trouble if I try to climb a steep hill or need to take a sharp turn.  Luckily there are lots tools for documentation to explore and many colleagues who can help guide me with this new goal.


Stephan Wiebe is currently a curriculum specialist, but an artist and art teacher at heart
2 Comments

#CBE182 Day 182: Amber Hartwell, Learning Leader, Midsun School

6/30/2017

0 Comments

 
Meet Jeffery.
Picture
Jeffery entered my classroom in September, a “new kid” who had not experienced many successes in school. He came discouraged and not sure if MidSun would be any different.
 
Jeffery was talented in ways he had yet to discover – he was a maker. Jeffery gravitated to the Raspberry Pi I had set up, always sneaking over to it when he should be working. On top of this, he was always tinkering.
 
One day, Jeffery shared with me his new creation – a portable movie player made from a computer screen. This was my opportunity to connect with Jeffery – build that positive relationship.
 
Jeffery’s journey became ours. As he got stuck, I would try to help. But, then I couldn’t.  So I called a colleague, @JackieGroat; she brought up our problem to her kids, which helped Jeffery not only continue, but also see the power in connecting and collaborating.
 
Then, I proposed the student maker faire @TelusSpark. With support from mom, and lots of arm-twisting, Jeffery went and thrived that night. His confidence emerged, as he realized he did have talent and could succeed.
Picture
Jeffery returned to school a different kid. He was happier and more engaged. So how to keep him motivated? I gave him the school’s new toy: JD.  Within half an hour, he had learnt how to make JD dab. Now, Jeffery is teaching me.

via GIPHY

Picture
Jeffery’s future is bright.
 
For me, I learnt I accomplished something magical –by putting Jeffery first, I had made a lifelong impact.  This is why I continue to teach.

​

@Amber_Hartwell is a wife, mother and teacher above everything else.  She works in GPE @UCalgaryEduc and is finishing her last days @yycCBEdu. You can find her at #sd23learns in the fall. She blogs at https://amberhartwell.wordpress.com to share her evolving journey with others.




Please note: This post was published with full consent from the student and his family.
0 Comments

#CBE182 Day 181: Ben Bishop, Learning Leader, Branton School

6/29/2017

0 Comments

 

Canada150

How will your school celebrate Canada 150? This was the question we heard at #MyWorldConference2017. We left the event with no clear answer. I teach Grade 7 Social Studies, basically the history of Canada. How could I not have a plan!?

I’ve been learning a lot in my new side role as support for learning technologies. One of the many takeaways is there is no reward without risk. Can I learn this new technology? Can it be applied effectively in a new project? Will students be engaged? Can I convince them to share their work with a greater audience? Can we buck tradition and replace a final exam with a project/event that better showcases their learning? If we build it, will they come?

With each question is an inherent possibility of failure. But what is also true is that risk can carry excitement. A contagious excitement.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
We built our Canada 150 Virtual Gallery. Each student selected a photo that changed Canada. They researched and inquired. They made connections with identity and citizenship. They arrived at their conclusions and made recordings in both official languages. They built QR codes and Aurasma overlays. Even our late immersion students still struggling with the language took the risk. They’ve been doing it all year. They plunged and resurfaced, stronger and prouder by virtue of the challenge. We invited our community and they came. It was a great showcase, one which demonstrated a journey of perseverance, bilingualism, new technology, risk and reward. Happy 150th Birthday Canada.


Ben Bishop (@bensbishop) is a Learning Leader at Branton School. His wife and daughters reluctantly tolerate his unbridled passion for the Ottawa Senators.
0 Comments

#CBE182 Day 180: Erin Quinn, Learning Specialist, Curriculum & Pathways

6/28/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
June is a time of transition at the Education Centre just as it is in schools. As teachers, we are lucky to have all these endings that most often turn into beginnings. As I was packing up my cubicle the other day, I reflected deeply about my time as a Specialist and everything I have learned in this role.

Doing this work has been such a privilege. I’ve been invited to peek into countless vibrant classrooms, gleaned wisdom from phenomenal educators, and planned professional learning alongside outstanding instructional leaders. It’s not trite to say that the CBE is a wonderful place to learn because of its people. I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet many of them over the past three years, and learn from them. I’m especially thankful for my incredible team who have pushed me professionally and creatively, and room to make sense of it all.

As I prepare to return to a school in the fall and meet my students, my head is buzzing with ideas. In my classroom next year, we will spend much of our time focusing on our our community and knowing each other as humans and learners. We will design our physical and metaphorical classroom together, creating a place we all feel comfortable, safe, and connected to. We will explore our local place and develop deep connections to it so we may care for its beauty. We will examine history with a critical eye, and wonder how we might redefine Canada in a way that honours all of its peoples, including its Indigenous citizens. We will create beautiful things together. These ideas are a direct or indirect result of the relationships I’ve forged with the people I’ve met along the way over the past three years. If you’re one of them, I thank you for it. I am a better teacher because of you, and because of this work.

​
Erin Quinn is an outgoing Specialist with the Curriculum & Pathways team and an incoming grade 7 teacher and Learning Leader at Griffith Woods School. She writes at www.creativitycollective.ca and Tweets at @luckybydesign.

1 Comment
<<Previous
    Do you want to get an email notification of all new posts? Enter your address below!

    RSS Feed

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Archives

    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    AB Government
    Ability
    Administrator
    Assistant Principal
    Awareness
    Boys School
    #cBEwell
    Challenge
    Collaboration
    Connections
    Courage
    Daily 5
    Design Thinking
    Director
    Elementary
    Engagement
    Environment
    Expectations
    Experience
    Goal
    Growth Mindsets
    Highschool
    High School
    Inquiry
    Introduction
    Kindergarten
    Learning Leader
    Learning Specialist
    Lessons
    Literacy
    Maker
    Math
    Meaningfullearning
    Meaningful Learning
    Middle School
    Multiple Entry Points
    Parent
    Passion
    Perseverance
    Physical Education
    Physical Literacy
    Play
    Positivity
    Principal
    Process
    Real Learning
    Relationships
    Resource Teacher
    Say Something
    Specialist
    Student
    Student Leadership
    Students First
    Student Teacher
    Student Voice
    Teacher
    Technology
    Trust
    Trustee
    Visitor
    Willingness

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.