Category Archives: Mindfulness

Tidal WAV Returns

Wild About Vancouver (WAV) Outdoor Education Festival is a free public outdoor education festival offering practical ways to get children (and adults) outdoors more regularly. WAV is open to the public and aims to unite and create long-term sustainable outdoor experiential learning networks for organizations, schools, youth programs, and the broader citizenry of Vancouver. WAV isContinue reading “Tidal WAV Returns”

Noticing Trees

Autumn arrives differently, depending on where you happen to live in the world.   In my life as a Vancouverite in British Columbia, the experience of the season is heralded by trees. You would have to be hard pressed not to notice the reds, yellows, oranges, burgundy and browns of the trees in fall.   We learned in schoolContinue reading “Noticing Trees”

Long Weekend Power Relax

Yes, I realize it sounds like the ultimate oxymoron BUT in the quest to cope with job stress, time is limited so strategizing is required.  This plan played out quite well for me on this Victoria Day long weekend. The weather cooperated and I am feeling grateful. This may be the recipe… at least forContinue reading “Long Weekend Power Relax”

Work Intensification & The Brain

I am a grand fan of technology.  It opens up possibilities for how we work, how we teach and how we connect with the like-minded, inspiring and divergent thinkers who we wouldn’t run into in the local Starbucks.     The down-side is the work intensification.  It is literally possible to work 24/7 and still never finishContinue reading “Work Intensification & The Brain”

Peaceful Playgrounds

The goal is for kids to develop the skills to problem solve and the confidence that they can.  Adults are involved in the process to ensure that name calling and bullying do not become an accepted norm.

Feeling Grateful

This December is my last as vice principal at Tecumseh Elementary School.  I have been at the school long enough to work, learn, play and share  experiences with enough children and adults to make leaving a hard thing to do.  Many Tecumseh students have heard my heartfelt speech that you choose everyday if you areContinue reading “Feeling Grateful”

Not Just 4Parents

Parenting is a tough gig.  There is no “perfect” set of directions to follow that work with every kid and every situation.  I started to teach before I had children and bemoaned that if only parents could be consistent with some basic rules in the household, all would be well. Having my own children broughtContinue reading “Not Just 4Parents”

The Science of Art

Dana Mulder, one of the Tecumseh staff members, gave us the opportunity to experience the Science of Art last week.  She has developed a considerable amount of background knowledge through her work providing programs at Van Dusen Gardens and provided an after school session for interested staff members on dyeing wool from natural materials.  MyContinue reading “The Science of Art”

Curriculum Learning at Gr.6 Camp

Last week was the annual Grade 6 Camp Elphinstone experience.  For students on the South Slope of Vancouver, it is a game changer.  Most of the children come to camp and experience a plethora of “Firsts”.  This year some of those “firsts” included: taking a ferry staying in a cabin with friends sighting a babyContinue reading “Curriculum Learning at Gr.6 Camp”