District Parent Advisory Council for SD43 (Coquitlam)

Through my Twitter network, I came across a video of Sir Ken Robinson’s talk at the Apple Education Leadership Summit in April, 2008.

He finishes with a quote that I want to remember:

Someone said the great problem with human societies is not that we aim too high and fail, but that we aim too low and succeed.

And for education, for the future, for all of us collectively, I think we all have to accept that for now, and for ever, we have to aim very high in education and we have to succeed.”

-          Sir Ken Robinson

http://www.edutopia.org/sir-ken-robinson-creativity-part-one-video

For me, I’ve always felt the same way about my parenting - I aim very high and I have to succeed.  This is not something I’m willing to fail at…

That mindset certainly has helped me feel the urgency to make my parenting choices consciously - and to do the personal reflection and change that need to happen to allow me to make those better parenting choices.

Otherwise, it’s just too easy for me to go day to day, year to year - always doing things, always busy but not getting done the stuff that’s really important!

At a District workshop I attended yesterday, Assistant Superintendent Sylvia Russell spoke passionately that it’s important for us to remember that “No child is expendable!” I heard many people discussing that again during the session – it obviously resonated with all of us. It’s not good enough to do our best – we want to remember to do whatever it takes to help every child feel like a success.

What does that mean to me? It means that every one of us needs to hold a central belief in our hearts – that every child is capable of feeling like a success. And therefore, it’s only a matter of being curious, asking questions, researching, trying new things, working together and being creative until we find that solution that we already trust exists. That we won’t give up. Ever.

That’s how I parent too. I begin by having faith that my children and I will find our way forward and that they will grow up to be wonderful, contributing and whole human beings. And then, even when I’ve lost hope in a particular moment and can’t see my way forward, I still rely on that overall faith in the outcome to remind myself that I’ll find the way and we just need to keep trying.

And that’s what matters…

I came across this TedTalk about apathy.

I challenge you all to watch this and think about what the systemic barriers are that stand in the way of parents being more involved and engaged in our school system. Share your ideas and let's work on chipping away at real change...

One that comes to mind for me is about trust. We have to trust that our involvement will actually make a difference. If it rarely makes a difference, then why bother?

I came across a presentation by Victor Frankl, talking about what motivates people, our search for meaning and how to achieve our potential.

What an amazing man - I love that he took up flying as a “mature” learner!

I’m reminded of my boss, back when I worked at Eaton’s during my university years. She used to take me for coffee sometimes, and we’d talk about people and leadership. One day, she said “Heidi, don’t ever forget that people will live UP TO or DOWN TO your expectations. May as well expect the best from them!”

In my own experience, one of university professors had a profound impact on my life – just by leaning across the table during my final exam and whispering “I expect great things from you…” http://www.iwasthinking.ca/2007/08/29/about-great-expectations/

It felt like an awful lot of pressure in that particular moment (and I was scared that I wouldn’t achieve “great” things). But throughout my life, I’ve often stopped and checked whether I was living up to my potential – if I was doing great things yet? That simple whisper planted a seed for me – in a way, it gave me “permission” to dream or to want more.

With my own children, I often think about that experience. I have to stop sometimes and remind myself not to worry. It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment, particularly when things aren’t going so well.

When my middle son was obviously struggling with reading and writing, it was easy to think “if we don’t fix this, he’ll struggle his whole life and school will be horrible and how can he possibly go to college or university…” When my 12 year old daughter (at the height of being a tween, verging on the edge of being a teenager) has a meltdown about being asked to clean her room, it’s easy to feel like I have to teach her how to care for her things or she’ll always be irresponsible, will never look after things. A friend of mine calls this “catastophizing” – falling into the trap of blowing something way out of proportion, thinking that all the worst things will happen.

There is a sense of trust that I’ve been cultivating lately – trust in myself as a parent, and trust in my children to learn and grow.

For kids to learn how to trust themselves, they need us to remind them that they are capable.

They need us to show them that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them.

They need us to expect good things – because it’s that kind of faith that helps them be their very best selves…

Check out (and share!):
http://teachparentstech.org/watch

Enjoy!

We hear a lot about the importance of “21^st Century Learning” and of technology in our classrooms. But why? What do those things really mean?

Watch this short video for some thoughts on the topic.

What messages stand out for you?

What do you think matters for your children, as they go through the school system and then into the world?

In this TEDTalks video, Chris Anderson talks about the YouTube phenomenon and how it is fueling incredible innovation – just by sharing ideas in big ways!

From the description on YouTube: TED's Chris Anderson says the rise of web video is driving a worldwide phenomenon he calls Crowd Accelerated Innovation -- a self-fueling cycle of learning that could be as significant as the invention of print.

This is why I’m encouraging everyone to share their stories here – with DPAC, with each other, with the District, with our community (both local and global)!

We have ideas – schools and PACs are doing great things all over this District. I know that because I hear stories every time I talk to someone or walk into a school!

We have the “crowd” – parents are part of vibrant school communities and we want to be involved.

We have the “desire” – I know that parents in this District care SO much. About our kids, about our schools and about our communities! It’s why we volunteer our precious time – because we know it matters!

And sharing our ideas in a way that all can see, read and contribute is a start at shedding “light” on all of those ideas that are happening in every corner of our District!

I’m also hoping that we’ll be able to engage our student leaders to share stories from schools from their perspective – showing us the things they care about and that they are proud of! More stories = more sharing = more ideas to spread!

So share your story by emailing it to post@dpac43.posterous.com

It can be short, it can be long, it can include pictures or video (just attach it to the email).

Let the learning (and innovation) spread!

From the YouTube description: Today's math curriculum is teaching students to expect -- and excel at -- paint-by-numbers classwork, robbing kids of a skill more important than solving problems: formulating them. At TEDxNYED, Dan Meyer shows classroom-tested math exercises that prompt students to stop and think.

I like the way Dan talks about “patient problem solving.” How can we support this in everyday life?

This video makes me stop and think about more than just math class. I pay attention to the ways I speak with my kids. I ask more questions and I “command” less. And my kids often ask questions back now – or come up with wonderful solutions to our day to day disagreements!

And I like the conversations that we “fall” into as a result…

Something unexpected happened at our last DPAC executive meeting.

We had the most productive meeting we've probably ever had. We got through the entire agenda plus additions, we had an in depth discussion about the BCCPAC constitution and bylaws, we discussed, planned and made decisions about parent ed events, we discussed budget and finances, etc...

And we had FUN! I haven't laughed so much in ages!

Okay, I admit it. I was in a silly mood and while I wouldn't call my attitude disrespectful, it was definitely irreverent. I said "fill your boots" WAY too often, I'm sure. There was mention of "funky chickens" and, best of all, we discovered the "vote like a pirate" version of Roberts' Rules.

I also must admit that I tend to dislike the formality of Roberts' Rules. It feels awkward and stilted. Artificial. However, I'm learning to accept it as a necessary evil. So we worked through the agenda, making the necessary motions, seconding, dicussing, then voting.

Part way through the meeting, I called for the vote on an item.

"All in favor?"

Voices chimed in "Ay..." - and I repeated it, but with a stumble, so it came out "Arrr..."

Being in the silly mood that I was, I laughed out loud and immediately called for everyone to "vote like a pirate" from that point on! Perhaps it was the influence of Dave Eggers' TEDTalk (see previous post) and his mention of the "working buccaneer"? Or maybe it was just the result of sustained silliness??

Regardless, we voted like that for the rest of the meeting, every time, bursting out in gales of laughter, again and again. And, as a result of the good feelings and shared experience, we spoke more openly, sometimes passionately, sometimes disagreeing - and yet all done within a circle of care.

We all walked out of the meeting happy, endorphins flowing and feelin' good - ready to tackle our tasks and keep moving forward.

I walked away struck by the realization that an "effective meeting" doesn't have to be "serious." That a dose of "fun" can bring people together through shared joy and allow us to gel as a team, a community.

And I was reminded of a DPAC General Meeting we had in Como Lake Middle School's library a couple of years ago. It had the same kind of energy about it - fun, productive, people loved being there and participated WAY more than they normally did. I remember having so many people comment about how great that meeting was, and I was frustrated with myself for not knowing how to duplicate that experience. Now I know.

Next DPAC meeting, I'm not going to tell myself to be "business like" and "serious."

I'm just going to be me...

We started off our October DPAC General Meeting by watching a TEDtalk by author Dave Eggers, talking about his “Once Upon a School” dream. Dave talks about a project he started to utilize his community’s passion for the English language to provide one-on-one tutoring to the students in the local schools. His dream (and challenge to all of us) is to talk to the teachers in our schools and find out how we can offer our skills and passions to help students learn. All through caring, human interactions.

What are your skills? What do you care about?

And what would happen if you shared that with your teachers or asked how you could help?

How could you reach out to the students of your community to provide a needed service?

Sharing the good stuff going on in our schools is one way of getting ideas
and benefiting from the experience of other parents, teachers,
administrators and students.

Do you have a great story to share? A project that you loved doing? A
successful fundraising effort? An amazing teacher who inspired learning?

Just email it here to share it with the District!

post@dpac43.posterous.com