Unlike our teachers, I do not have the privilege of seeing the amazing accomplishments of CBE students up close on a daily basis. When I do get the opportunity, however, they always impress me. A fine example of this took place during the recent CBE Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner, an event celebrating the accomplishments of notable CBE graduates, and a fundraiser supporting the EducationMatters’ Future Leaders Fund.

CBE students volunteered for the event in several key roles. Student ambassadors led conversations with guests on the topics of leadership, jazz musicians played spectacularly and improv performers turned up their creativity to maximum entertaining the audience. Student emcee, Elaine, co-hosted the event with CTV personality Heath Brown, helping to make the evening extra special for the over 300 in attendance.

Community leaders in the room inspired students with tales of success and I was surprised to learn how many were equally moved by the students’ own stories. As the evening drew to a close, many guests approached me to compliment the students’ maturity, inquisitive nature and passion for learning. The youthful energy at the dinner tables sparked enthusiasm and helped remind us all of the importance of public education.

Volunteering allowed these students the opportunity to meet and speak with community leaders, develop communication skills, while teaching us all that we are in good hands with our future leaders.

Ken Rabb (@kenrabb) is the Communications & Development Officer at EducationMatters  (@Ed_Matters), Calgary’s Public Education Trust

Midway through class, graphic novel closes.  James looks up at Ms. Gale thrilled, “I’ve finished all five acts!”

Now smiling, she laughs, “Well, that’s great!  You do know I’m your Social Studies teacher though, right?”  

It’s James’ turn to laugh, letting out a relieved sigh, “Yes. I just had to tell someone.”  He’s now joined the ranks of those having experienced Verona’s most woeful tale.

With this being Academic Focus time, time to work alone or collaboratively through learning plans, some learners are finishing up Energy Audits. Others are considering and reconsidering a baffling Expanding Cube problem.  The double classroom and Learning Commons are dynamic spaces right now; teachers are providing targeted support. Around James, across blended academic streams, students are determining Romeo and Juliet’s central themes, some utilizing the Shakespeare in Bits app, others skillfully rehearsing the heartbeat rhythm of iambic pentameter. 
 
It’s all a reminder: we’re better together. Connection and community aren’t exclusive to our building; personalizing, connecting, and thriving are, though, central to the learning culture at Thirsk. Our communities, schools within the school, provide many opportunities for our learners. Rigorous interdisciplinary work isn’t (always) contained to one subject area. Students have supportive peers and adults they know meaningfully. Less isolated, with intentionality and flexibility, choices and new perspectives often surface.  

Later, separately, James and Ms. Gale share with me the excitement of the day’s accomplishment.  Yet again, I’m reminded of the privilege to teach and learn, celebrating successes and sharing challenges, as a member of this learning community.

At 8:30 AM on March 21st, CBE students from 18 Calgary high schools arrived at the Beijing Experimental High School to participate in the first day of the International Leadership Summit (IYLS) 2014.  The students were tired from traveling and were still used to the rhythms and flow that made up their days 8500 km and 14 time zones away.   The students could feel the warmth of the morning sun that penetrated the cool, hazy Beijing morning air as they gathered in the inner exercise courtyard of this large urban campus wondering what the day and week ahead would hold.  Within minutes, Iris - one of the Assistant Principals at Beijing Experimental High School - was leading us through courtyards and stairwells until we reached our destination.  Then it began - the 4th annual International Youth Leadership Summit in Beijing.

That day and the nine that followed were filled with activities, opportunities and events that merged to become an exciting collage of student engagement, learning, leadership development, adventure, and sightseeing. 

The students who were part of the CBE delegation had all been part of a special system student advisory group and had spent their year participating in leadership and intercultural studies.  As a result, students came with a deep desire to discuss, learn and benefit from their time with their counterparts from the other side of the globe.  What they gained was the experience and knowledge that it is through learning, communicating and collaborating that we are able to truly appreciate the things that make us similar and also celebrate that which makes us culturally unique.  Through this focus on leadership and the immersive cultural experience, that also included traveling to a number of local and regional points of geographic, historical and cultural the CBE students gained deep insights into and an appreciation into the educational, cultural, historical and social aspects of the world’s most populous country.

There is one thing that was clear from this cross-cultural experience.  The CBE students returned home more globally aware, culturally competent, and better equipped to undertake acts of leadership that make our communities, our cities, our countries and our world a better place to be.

To live the richness of this experience more fully, we encourage you to go to:  http://iyls2014.weebly.com

Brant is a Director and advocate for real-world experiences that foster leadership, cultural competence, and success learning & working in the global context. 

Debbie is a passionate #yycbe educator and system Learning Leader who loves working with students to bring voice and self-advocacy to their learning!  #studentvoice