There's nothing quite like watching someone's passion and dream being fulfilled. Last month I got to see it in front of my eyes. ears. During my time at Unplugd, I got to meet and know Stephen Hurley. Stephen is an arts consultant in Ontario and all around interesting, good guy. Stephen and I were in the same grouping as we did our collaborative writing....

Over the past several years, I've attended many conferences and workshops where speakers have talked about how all kids can learn and the importance of that belief. They also talk about how, if that's true, it's our obligation and duty as teachers to make sure all students learn and have success. This famous clip serves as the mantra for many schools and...

  My son, for whatever reason, has chosen to let his hair grow while at college in Toronto. His mother and sisters and I have been trying to get him to get it cut for months. On Friday he did.  He Skyped me to tell me the good news and relayed how it was a rather lovely experience. The barber, who was recommended by a friend, was a little ways from where he...

Full disclosure: This post is written at 3 AM as I wake up with crazy ideas and wonder and then feel compelled to write about it. Forgive any in cohernce, stop reading at any point and move on with your life. After spending considerable hours investing into Alec's little gift, I'm still feeling quite energized not only with the response of others but the...

Cross Posted on the Huffington Post. The PISA results were released this month and my overwhelming response was: Who cares? Many of my fellow Canadians were quite happy to be ranked sixth in the world. What does that even mean? Is that cause for celebration? Should we be upset? What would we do if we were first? (Hint: I've talked to many educators from schools...

Maybe I'm just too lazy or unimaginative so I stole the title of my last post to make this one. Whatever. I'm not sure why but this topic runs pretty deep with me. I found Alfie Kohn's article this morning on twitter (I like the fact that he brings back stuff from the archives, I wish more people would do that. Old is not bad) and thought I'd...