Thoughts and reflections on teaching and learning – Cohort 21 Member Blog
Written by Garth Nichols
I really appreciate being directed to the work of Amy Edmondson and “Teaming”. Her work is well written, includes case studies, and reinforces that the way we worked is no longer going to get us where we need to be going. Teaming is not a natural leadership stance, or a natural cultural stance within organizations. […]
Written by Garth Nichols
Trying to make sense of our fluid circumstances is one thing; however, leading schools through change is a complete other endeavour. It requires empathy as we depart from the roles, habits and ways of being in our lived experiences of the past and chart a new direction. It requires asking challenging questions about the role […]
Written by Garth Nichols
The US leadership expert Warren G. Bennis once said: “There are two ways of being creative. One can sing and dance. Or one can create an environment in which singers and dancers flourish.” Pg. 239 David Price has written a book that synthesizes mindsets and approaches and contextualizes them in the here and now. It […]
Written by Garth Nichols
Fellow educators, please read this book…or at least this review. Stuart Shanker sets out to reframe our understanding of ourselves and others in a way that enlivens our call to action as educators – it can reinvigorate our practice and our craft. That our future, of education (pre, during and post Covid19) , or ourselves […]
Written by Garth Nichols
To many of my readers, there is a long break ahead for the summer, while for others below the equator, schools are just getting started. This will be my last of my “3 Resources…” posts for while (I hope!), so I’ve decided on three compelling resources that offer compelling reasons and hope that education will […]
Written by Garth Nichols
I am walking throughout my neighbourhood more than I ever have. It allows me to think, to pause, and I often stop to smell the flowers – literally – and to see what books my neighbours have put out on the lawn. There have been some real gems! I’ve added to my Seth Godin library […]
Written by Garth Nichols
As school’s wrap up the student experiences of their Remote Learning Plans, there is much to reflect upon. How have students survived, thrived or not? How have students learned more about themselves as learners, and how do we know? The same can be asked of our organizations. This week, during the CIS Ontario Remote Learning […]
Written by Garth Nichols
This has been a week. A week of pain, struggle and yet of inspiration and hope. Two things that I hold on to are words spoken by people I admire and respect: First is my Principal who often says that her mantra is”Hope is a choice”. I choose Hope. Another close colleague of mine said, […]
Written by Garth Nichols
Consider These Two Different Stories about Lampposts: Story 1: There was a man walking down the street in the dim light of dusk. He saw a man on his hands and knees crawling around. He asked “Are you okay?” The other man’s response was “I am looking for my wallet.. I’ve lost it.” The man […]
Written by Garth Nichols
As we begin the close on the year that has been, many of us may be looking to the beginning of next year. Inevitably, this brings with it new staff, onboarding and dedicated professional learning. We need to get this right. We need our new faculty to feel welcome, situated within the culture and confidence […]
