A week ago, I had the amazing opportunity to be involved with Dreams Take Flight. This is a non-profit organization that takes a plane full of needy/special kids (and escorts) to Disneyland for the day. Yes, Disneyland for the day. 1 day – actually, 8 hours. What a wonderful experience! I have thought about thisContinue reading “Dreams Take Flight”
Category Archives: Poverty
What My Inner City School Experience Has Given Me
This is going to be a somewhat personal post. I have been pondering this for quite some time and have finally decided to write about it and share. For the past 2 and one half years I have been the vice-principal of an inner-city school in the school district where I work (not all ourContinue reading “What My Inner City School Experience Has Given Me”
For Some, WE are IT
Things can get rather challenging in inner-city schools near Spring Break. Come to think of it, working in an Inner-City school, or any school, for that matter, is always challenging. Staff are tired and have been working hard for months! Students are also tired and some may be feeling the stress of an upcoming break andContinue reading “For Some, WE are IT”
School is Home
While I have always known it, from personal experience, this year made me realize once again just how important school is for our students. School is a safe place for many students. The ONLY safe place. Our students know what to expect, for the most part, from school. They know what to expect from theirContinue reading “School is Home”
My Top Ten in Ten Days – Celebrating my 100th Blog Post 2/10
I have been working as a Vice-Principal since August, 2005. I have had the opportunity to work in three very different schools. For my first 2 1/2 years as a Vice-Principal, I was placed in a middle-class school with a high degree of parent involvement. My second school was in a working-class area with aContinue reading “My Top Ten in Ten Days – Celebrating my 100th Blog Post 2/10”
Anything is Possible
Currently, we are studying Careers with my Grade 6 Health and Career Education students. The students have done a number of activities for the last few weeks. One of these activities was completing an interest inventory in which the students went through a number of items describing skills, attitudes, likes and dislikes. Upon completion ofContinue reading “Anything is Possible”
Open Your Hearts
I’ve been doing a great deal of reflecting these days (as I always do), but this has been a bit different. I usually reflect upon my practise, decisions, teaching, leadership, parenting, and relationships. Last night, with all that has been happening at my school lately, I did a lot of reflecting on the students atContinue reading “Open Your Hearts”
Are “Wants” Necessary?
Our school has done an amazing job collecting donations for a number of our most in-need families this Christmas season. It was quite a wonderful, rewarding experience for everyone involved. The generosity of the staff and some local businesses overwhelmed the parents who we supported this holiday season. If I had to speculate, I wouldContinue reading “Are “Wants” Necessary?”
A Time of Giving
This season brings a variety of emotions for individuals – both positive and negative. Some have memories of the Christmas season that are not the greatest. Worse than that, for some, Christmas is a painful time. For some, getting together with family during the holiday season can be very stressful. In contrast, for others, theContinue reading “A Time of Giving”
Be Present
Be Present (and so will they) (My version of “Build it and They Will Come”) There is a little boy in our school who is a runner and a hider. He runs away from his Grade 1 class regularly. He leaves the classroom when something is wrong: usually when he has been disciplined. We, atContinue reading “Be Present”
It's All About Learning 