True Colours

        So just over a week ago Ecuador was hit by a massive earthquake that completely devastated many communities on the coast. Thousands and thousands of families have been deeply and tremendously impacted by this event, including members of our own school community here at Academia Cotopaxi, and it’s been a trying and emotional week for our country to say the least. All of Ecuador has spent the past week doing everything in their collective power to find ways to support the families in need, and international relief efforts have been in full swing…but there is still so much left to do before we can even think about rebuilding what has been lost.

        Despite the obvious sadness and strong feelings of helplessness that many of us are experiencing, I have found myself being incredibly inspired by the outpouring of support, and the coordinated relief efforts that have been happening all around me. It’s been amazing to see the country, as well as our school community rally around each other, and spring into action in every possible way. It got me thinking about how often times in the face of tragedy a community’s true colours are revealed, and how the best of who we are as a group bubbles up for all to see.

        Yesterday, Academia Cotopaxi held a “We Are Ecuador” Solidarity event at our school and it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my international school life. Parents, teachers, students, community organizations, the military, and other dedicated groups of people all working together to give back and to help support our country. It was a huge event and all proceeds and donations were either loaded onto trucks headed for the coast, or sent directly to relief funds which will go to support all those in need. I spent the day watching the performances, listening to the speeches, and watching our community come together like I’ve never seen before…and it was so beautiful. Adversity often brings out the best in people, and it can help bring people together in powerful ways…I’ve been watching this unfold throughout the week and like I said before, I’ve been inspired and incredibly proud to be a member of this community.

        I’d like to share one little story that truly touched my heart, and shows the level of support that has trickled down to the most beautiful of places. Last Tuesday, just three days after the earthquake struck, I was welcoming the students off of the buses like usual when a second grade girl came walking over to me. She tapped me on the arm and as I turned she reached into her pocket and pulled out a one dollar bill. She said, “Mr. Kerr, I want to give my special allowance money to help the victims on the coast. Maybe it will help buy some water for a little girl like me who has lost her Mommy and Daddy…please make sure that this money gets to her”. Well, you can imagine what I was feeling as the little girl walked away, and it snapped me back to what education is all about…empathy, compassion, kindness and teaching our students to think beyond themselves, and about creating a better word for us all…out of the mouths of babes.

        Anyway, below is a link to our solidarity relief site, which is a place for you to not only help if you feel so inspired, but to see how our community has come together in a very special way. I’m proud of our school…I’m proud of our country…and I’m proud of the international community who has offered their much needed support. In a world full of bad news and bad press, and seemingly unending tragedy and disaster (both natural and man made), it is beautiful to see the gratitude that can come out of the face of adversity. Have a wonderful week everyone and remember to be great for our students and good to each other.

Quote of the Week….

Gratitude in adversity is the most beautiful and precious crown of the soul 

-LUDOVICUS BLOSIUS

We Are Ecuador Relief Page – 

http://ift.tt/24drrGM

Articles on Overcoming Adversity –

http://ift.tt/1WPuG54

http://ift.tt/1M3tDeV

http://ift.tt/1WLxOic

http://ift.tt/1VEtulU

http://ift.tt/16sDstp

TED Talks – 

http://ift.tt/1qJuTe0

http://ift.tt/1cIgmXM  (An Oldie but a Goodie)

http://ift.tt/1m56fNA

Earthquake Relief Videos –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yERgOdSdk8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_A1BW0zSYI

from Connected Principals http://ift.tt/1WPuG55

The Connection Between Leadership and Learning

I read this very short post yesterday, yet it resonated with me all day.

“Developing leaders is our #1 priority.”
“Leader Development is in everything we do.” 
“The heart of this unit is its leaders.”
“Good leadership is our most important asset.”

Sound about right?

But when was the last time you participated in a unit leader development event that was focused on the practice of leadership? Not doctrine, not staff processes, not command supply discipline…leadership! It’s probably been a while…

This is a very crucial point.  When I look at a lack of growth or resistance to change in schools, the more I realize this is more of a leadership problem than anything.  Yet, as the post states, how often do we focus on leadership development, rather than initiatives, new learning, or whatever is thrown on the plate in front of us?

When I prepare for working with leadership teams, there are always two areas on my mind.  Learning what I share, and how to help others move forward in this same area.  Too often, it is one without the other.  Administrators often learn about new initiatives and what they look like, or else they hear about how to help others, without understanding what they are “pushing”. The most important aspect for any new initiative to move forward, is to be able to lead by example.  It is easy to say “go do this’, but much more powerful when we are able to say, “Let’s do this together.”  Both elements are necessary if schools are to move forward.

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10 Unique Tips To Wake Up Early

wake up early Photo by Mircea Ploscar Getting yourself to wake up early can be challenging, however, the benefits of waking up early can also be quite [...]

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Learning Before You Innovate

The emphasis on “creation” in schools is crucial, yet it does not mean that consumption is not crucial in the process.  Several years ago, I saw John Medina speak (the author of “Brain Rules“), and he said something that resonated with me (paraphrased):

Creation without consumption is similar to playing the air guitar.  You might be able to go through the motions, but you do not really know what you are doing.

That is why the ability to learn is so crucial to innovation.  It is not about just learning information, but what you do with it that is mattering more in our world today, but if we are not willing to learn in the first place, the innovation will not happen.

A beautiful song that you compose on the piano, could not be composed if you don’t learn to play the piano first.

This thinking is beautifully illustrated in an older visual from Alberta Education, called the “Alberta Competency Wheel”.

In the middle is the learner, but without the crucial foundation of literacy and numeracy, we lose a lot moving outward from the centre.

That being said, we still need to move from the centre. Of course we want every student to be able to read and write, but it is essential they go further.  Yong Zhao sums this up nicely.

The “basics” and “innovation” are connected; it is not one or the other.

“He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.” Friedrich Nietzsche

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First Street West Lower Lonsdale

 

Welcome to First Street West in the fantastic Lower Lonsdale. Surrounded by a community of local shops, restaurants, cafes and only a 12 min sea bus commute to DT Vancouver. First Street West features 60 premium, spacious 1 & 2 Bedroom suites up to 1200 sq ft,.

First Street West is developed by Fairborne, who has been quite active in the Lower Lonsdale area, specifically 100 block of West 1st, with a string of developments starting its redevelopmen with the building of Q, followed by Time, Sky, Capstone and now First Street West.

VIP previews starting soon, Contact us today to get priority registration

 

The post First Street West – Lower Lonsdale appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Oil Tank Due Diligence When Buying An Older House

 

I’ve Heard of Oil Tanks, What’s The Deal With Them?

How Do I Know If The Home Has An Underground Oil Tank?

What Are The Dangers If I Don’t Check?

 

You’ve all heard of home inspections, but have you ever heard of oil tank inspections?

Many buyers these days are just not educated when it comes to watching out for this potential risk.

For those who are not aware, many single family houses prior to 1975 were heated by oil.  This was before houses were connected to gas.  The oil would come from an underground oil tank buried beneath the property.  

When the availability of gas came into the picture and homes connected to gas, many underground oil tanks were decommissioned, as in the oil was pumped out of the tank and the oil tank removed.  Unfortunately, many oil tanks had their tubes “tied” but were never removed from the property and to this day, there are still some houses that are still powered  by the oil.

The danger is for those houses that still have an underground oil tank.  

Why, you say?  Well, because the lifespan of the oil tank is supposed to be about 25 years and so after that time, the tank will begin to corrode and pose a contamination hazard as oil can leak into the soil of the property.  

The post Oil Tank Due Diligence When Buying An Older House appeared first on Gary Wong Realty Vancouver, BC.

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Dear Educators We Still Need You!

The other day I was presenting to a small group of teachers and assistant principals on the many hats school leaders wear.

As I was closing, I asked them to look at me. Everyone fixed his or her eyes on my own, and suddenly I was overwhelmed.

I wanted to tell them how much our schools need their leadership…how much our students need men and women who are passionate, caring, determined, courageous, and committed…how we can’t do this without them.

But all I could get out was, “We need you.” And then I was too choked up to continue.

Thankfully, I was in a room with my friends Dr. Vickie Williams, the Executive Director of our state principal association and Rob Miller, an assistant superintendent and author of the blog, A View from the Edge.

They spoke up while I was regaining my composure. Vickie explained how these difficult times for public education in our state remind us how desperately we need to stay committed to the mission of helping students. Rob explained that leadership requires not only wisdom but also compassion and heart.

Finally, I was able to follow-up with some comments about the power each of us possesses to make a difference in students’ lives. Afterwards, I thought about that moment, and how surprised I was by my own emotional response. Why was I so overwhelmed?

I talk about school leadership everyday. I live it, breathe it, and know its ups and downs. But when I was staring into the faces of men and women who serve on the front-lines of schools everyday, I couldn’t help but think about the impact they have on students and the influence we’re losing if they don’t serve.

Yesterday I had lunch with some administrator friends from a neighboring district. At their schools, every first and second year teacher has been told their contracts won’t be renewed for next school year.

In Oklahoma City this week, 29 assistant principals have been told their positions are being eliminated. Schools across the state have been reducing their school calendars to 4-day weeks or closing schools early to cut costs.

The past few months have reminded me that when states struggle to adequately fund public education, we lose great educators, and students are the ones who ultimately suffer most.

But even as teachers, administrators, and school staff are scrambling to reconfigure schools and manage budget shortfalls, our students are still showing up everyday. And they’ll be back when school opens again after summer break.

And as tough as the road may be ahead, they still need us.

This week, Rob Miller, made a fantastic post that beautifully captures the essence of why students need us. While walking through one of the schools in his district, Rob saw a boy who had “that look”, the expression so many have when they feel dejected or hopeless. Rob stopped to inquire and encourage. And it made a difference.

He then reflected about the challenges young people face with with depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, and he concluded:

“So, when people say our primary job in schools is to increase student achievement, I respectfully disagree. The act of creating learners only occurs in an atmosphere of respect, trust, compassion, and love. Thus, our biggest job is to keep kids safe, while instilling in them a profound belief that we genuinely care about who they are and what they dream to be.”

Educators, we still need you.

If you’re one who chose this profession and now you’re facing cuts, please don’t give up hope. You will land on your feet again. And remember the need for good educators will never go away.

If you’re a school leader facing your own dilemmas or managing worst case scenarios, hold onto courage and know better seasons will come again.

Today in every one of our schools, students still need to see smiling faces greeting them. They still need to know that we believe in them. They still need the instruction, encouragement, and engagement that make for great schools.

They still need you.

There’s a beautiful scene in a philosophical read by C.S. Lewis called The Great Divorce, where the narrator is taken into the afterlife. While there, he encounters singing and dancing spirits, young men and women, who are celebrating in honor of one lady.

The narrator is mesmerized by her presence and clothing and by the radiance of her face. He turns to his guide, and they have the following conversation:

“Is it?…is it?” I whispered to my guide.
“Not at all,” said he. “It’s someone ye’ll never have heard of. Her name on earth was Sarah Smith and she lived at Golders Green.”
“She seems to be…well, a person of particular importance?”
“Aye. She is one of the great ones. Ye have heard that fame in this country and fame on Earth are two quite different things.”…

“And who are all these young men and women on each side?”
“They are her sons and daughters.”
“She must have had a very large family, Sir.”
“Every young man or boy that met her became her son – even if it was only the boy that brought the meat to her back door. Every girl that met her was her daughter.”
“Isn’t that a bit hard on their own parents?”
“No. There are those that steal other people’s children. But her motherhood was of a different kind. Those on whom it fell went back to their natural parents loving them more.”

Who was Sarah Smith? People like Sarah Smith from Golders Green are those who transform others by their selfless and generous giving to others. They may be relatively unnoticed in this life, but they deserve so much more recognition.

Conclusion

For those who face the stark realities of feeling overlooked, unnoticed, or unseen by the world-at-large, remember to the young people you love and care for, you are angelic.

Don’t give up faith. You’re still needed!

Now It’s Your Turn

Maybe you know someone who needs a good reminder that their work matters. Give them some kudos today!

Posted originally at WilliamDParker.com Copyright 2016 by William D. Parker, Connect through Twitter with handle @williamdp or at http://ift.tt/1j5BB4E Check out Will’s new PMPodcast!

from Connected Principals http://ift.tt/1MJuPF1