Professional Development Days: École Beau Meadow School & New Humble Centre School

I miss the excitement and energy found in our schools, so when I get the opportunity to visit them, I take it.  I was fortunate to spend the mornings of our last two PD days at both École Beau Meadow School and New Humble Centre School, and what a joy it was to work elbow to elbow with our admin and teachers  - great things are happening in BGRS!

The Beau Meadow staff was looking at the ABC's of Stress in both the lives of children and adults.  Staff discussed the importance of looking beyond the behaviour and attempt to understand that many things may be happening inside the child that are causing him/her to act in certain ways.  It was agreed that a child's behaviour is simply his/her language for expressing how s/he is feeling.  Hence, it is important for us to spend as much one-on-one time with our students as possible so we can know more about their feelings, interests, and experiences in life so we may help them discover what they do well and like about themselves - attachment is critical.  In the words of Gordon Neufeld, "Unconditional love is the indispensable nutrient for a child's healthy emotional growth."

For staff, as caregivers, we must also find ways to manage our stress effectively, and one way is to seek peace; peace is the prerequisite for health.  Finding peace through meditation, exercise, music, or spending time with family and friends can help one stay balanced.  And, also important, is to steer clear of second-hand stress; we must do what we can to avoid taking on other people's stress, even if it means spending less time with people we like for a while.  When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

The New Humble Center Staff Focused on "Inspiring Education" and the vision for education through the three E's of Education: Engaged Thinkers, Ethical Citizens, with an Entrepreneurial Spirit.  The question for staff was "What would this look and sound like in our classrooms?"  Staff shared thoughts on Inspiring Education, the new Ministerial Order, and on communicating this new focus with parents and community.

Like Beau Meadow staff, New Humble Centre staff believed it is critical to know each of our students well so we may understand where their growth lies in each of the 3 E's.  Staff looked at successful people in our world and discussed their strengths and areas for growth in relation to the 3 E's, and it was agreed that for our children to be contributing members in society, they will need to be Engaged Thinkers: thinking critically, using technology to learn, innovate, communicate, and discover; Ethical Citizens: building relationships based on humility, fairness, open-mindedness, and respect; with Entrepreneurial Spirits: creating opportunities through hard work, perseverance, goal setting, and self motivation.  

School Leadership: Relationships & Shared Commitment

Leadership in schools is about connecting people to each other and to their work - sounds easy, but for anyone who has sat in the principal's chair, s/he understands the challenge of this duty.  It's not about reward and punishment; it's about making moral connections and leading from the heart, serving others, and listening to each other's stories.  In Sandra Dean's book, "Hearts & Minds" she speaks about making staff, students, and parents feel valued and this makes all the difference.  When we know that someone values us, we do our best to show that their belief and trust in us was not misplaced. 

Leadership based on bureaucratic authority relies on compliance, but as Thomas Sergiovanni states in his book, "Leadership for the Schoolhouse", leadership based on moral authority relies on ideas, values, and commitment - it seeks to develop shared followership in the school - a followership that compels parents and principals, teachers and students to respond from within.  If we concentrate on people first and build them up by trusting them and increasing their capacity, their commitment will increase and they will feel a sense of obligation and commitment to do the right thing. 

How do we get people to do this?  We get them to do this by encouraging connections with each other, by developing a culture where "your story is my story" and it is important to me.  Relationships, Relationships, Relationships: our Modus Operandi - sounds easy, but it is not.  Thank you to all Black Gold staff for your commitment and dedication to our students, their families, and each other. And thank you to our principals for your leadership and effort to help others find purpose and meaning in their work beyond tomorrow's test - it's challenging work but work of the noblest kind.

2014 Job Fairs

It is always invigorating to participate in our local universities' job fairs: the students are full of questions, they are confident, and their energy is contagious.  On January 27th, Division Principal Dargis and I spent the day at the University of Alberta, and later that evening he, Principal Dunlop, Mme. El-Khatib, and Mme. Hjertaas attended the fair at Campus St. Jean.  Each of us commented on the preparedness of these young people: outstanding!

On February 6th, Division Principal Dargis and I were invited to present at Concordia University College.  Students welcomed us at the door, helped us set up, and offered us freshly baked cookies.  The best treat, however, was when our former student, Kaitlyn, walked in the room, gave us each a hug, and told us she was graduating in the spring; it was wonderful to see one of our École Corinthia Park School students becoming a teacher.  Kaitlyn introduced us to her peers and the presentation began. 

Thank you U of A, Campus St. Jean, and Concordia University; we truly appreciate your hospitality.

Merry Christmas

This is the time of year when we are thinking about how to have the perfect Christmas, and, of course, it's different for everyone.  What's the perfect Christmas?  Is it building a tree out of 365 cream puffs?  Is it attending midnight mass?  We often don't take the time to ask ourselves what would make Christmas perfect for us.  Take the time to ask yourself what would make Christmas perfect for you, and then save your time and energy to enjoy the feeling of Christmas.

On behalf of our Senior Administration, Merry Christmas, everyone, and may what you see in the mirror delight you; may what others see in you delight them.  May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues.  And may we live in a world at peace and with awareness of God's love in every sunset, every baby's smile, every teacher's kind words, and in every wonderful, astonishing, miraculous beat of our hearts.

Love Is Something If You Give It Away

"Treat 'em as if they are good, and they will meet your expectations."  Growing up in the small town of Wildwood meant everyone knew everyone, and everyone knew, or thought s/he knew, everyone's business.  In our teen years, our house was Grand Central - the four of us had friends over often: eating dinner, watching TV, listening to KISS on the 8-Track, and fixing motorcycles.  At times, some of our guests were teens of which others in the town did not think highly.  Some of these teens did do things that they should not have done, but, none the less, my mom, Gladys, said hello to them, welcomed them into her home, and treated them as if they were good.  And you know what?  They were good for her!  She would have them helping her dig and carry in potatoes from the garden, water flowers, carry in groceries, and clean their plates and cutlery from the table.  I would always hear, "Yes, Mrs. Monty, please, Mrs. Monty, thank you, Mrs. Monty, may I help you, Mrs. Monty.  Our friends loved my mom because they knew she loved them.

On August 31, my mom held a motorcycle rally at her hotel.  Heaps of people turned out, and as I chatted with the bikers, I heard story after story of how my mom touched their hearts.  These people could have been anywhere in the world that Saturday, but they chose to be in Wildwood with Mom.

One fellow from Edmonton, Dan, told me a story of how a number of years ago he and his wife were riding back from B.C. in the rain.  He said they both were soaked and frozen by the time they reached Wildwood.  He said Mom took them in, helped spread out their wet gear throughout the bar so it would dry, gave them food, drink, and a room to sleep.  He said he will forever remember her kindness.  He attends every rally she has, and he stops in to visit if he happens to be passing through the area.  He said, "Cal, your mom is amazing; she makes everyone feel so loved."

What would my mom do if she were a teacher?  She would love each of her students and colleagues unconditionally; let's do what Gladys would do.

 Love is something if you give it away.

August 27/28 Beginning Teachers' Workshop

Black Gold Regional Division principals, once again, have hired an amazing group of teachers new to both the profession and Black Gold.  I was extremely impressed with these teachers' knowledge, professionalism, and passion for teaching.

Our two day workshop focused on a number of items: lesson planning, growth plans, technology, student services, teacher conduct, teaching strategies, and a bus tour of our division.  I want to thank our new teachers for attending and eagerly participating in the workshop.  I'd also like to thank our presenters for finding time in their busy schedules to present at the workshop: Pam Verhoeff, Norm Dargis, Ray McCubbing, Darren Maltais, Suzanne Stroud, Dianne Butler, Arthur Burrows, and Zane Chomlak.

Great Things are Happening in BGRS!

Ten Ways To Keep Your Best People

1. Fair does not mean equal - give each of your people what s/he needs.
2. Set high expectations - people come to work to do well - they will rise to the expectation.
3. Rules, guidelines, procedures - ensure these don't get in the way of employees doing their jobs.
4. Recognize outstanding performance - if you want it repeated, it needs to be rewarded.
5. Have fun at work - employees will look forward to coming to work each day.
6. Share appropriate information with employees - if you don't, the rumour mill will.
7. Do not micromanage - instead, explain why it needs to be done, why their job is important, and seek their input on how it could be done better.
8. Develop a retention strategy - what are you doing for your people to ensure they stay engaged and on board?
9. Conduct retention interviews - what can we do to keep our employees from looking for another job?
10. Provide a fabulous orientation program - you want to reinforce your new hire's "Buying Decision" (to take the job) not his/her "Hire's Remorse".  Ensure the orientation is well organized, efficient, and exciting.  To reinforce his/her buying decision, deliver these three messages:

• You were carefully chosen and we're glad you're here
• You're now part of a great organization
• This is why your job is so important