Cohort 21 | Marc Brims | Activity https://cohort21.com/members/mbrims/activity/ Activity feed for Marc Brims. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 23:13:21 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-CA 30 hourly 2 353e25250548f44d65553db55a6e74f7 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/carolinefreibauer/2020/10/17/what-is-going-well/#comment-4 Sat, 01 May 2021 11:40:41 -0400 @cfreibauer this is a great post! I like your “three amigos” approach, with a touch of added gratitude at the end :). Opportunism often has a negative connotation associated with it, but is critical for creating cohesion to support strategic initiatives within schools. Your “three amigos” approach really sounds like the perfect recipe for creating…Read more

In reply to - Caroline Freibauer wrote a new post on the site Caroline Freibauer As a teacher-librarian working in a high school, I always aim to be three things: an opportunist, a catalyst and an optimist. For the most part, […] ]]> ba1101b0821d414da74949ac33d1c4fb Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/ashleighhabets/2020/10/17/what-is-going-well/#comment-7 Mon, 14 Dec 2020 15:20:18 -0500 @ahabets I love that you are weaving self-care into the teaching and learning process, and overall as the cornerstone of your practice. I know that student and teacher wellbeing has been touted as more critically important this year than the traditional coverage of content, and it is fantastic that you already had working knowledge and experience…Read more

In reply to - Ashleigh Habets wrote a new post on the site Ashleigh Habets I have not seen my students faces this year and I remain faceless to them. These are connections that I truly miss on daily basis. Often times I am […] ]]> 80051cd41eda59e65409fe6d4797c401 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/daniklein/2020/11/16/what-is-going-well/#comment-9 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 18:59:08 -0500 Hi @dklein, this is a great post! A lot of teachers at our school feel isolated these days due to rotating schedules, our school being spread out across two campuses, and lastly the physical distancing restrictions in place that have resulted in more sparsely populated office spaces. It is wonderful that you have been able to focus succinctly and…Read more

In reply to - Dani Klein wrote a new post on the site Dani Klein When I first read this prompt, I sort of wanted to laugh. Going well? A more accurate question most days would be “What isn’t going terribly?” That’s why it […] ]]> e73cff3532d4e316815c156cfea41417 Marc Brims wrote a new post on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/?p=72 Tue, 10 Mar 2020 14:10:50 -0400 Explanatory Note: The below was written by the Head of Academics, Marc Brims, with input and advice from UTS Elder in Residence, Cat Criger. 

It has been almost a year since I last posted about my action plan […]

]]> f91f3344975f7a5e5dd0055c4d6a127a Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/caitlingaffney/2019/11/15/willingness-to-communicate-in-the-second-language-classroom-shifting-the-focus-from-research-to-reality/#comment-8 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 18:29:30 -0500 What a great blog post, Caitlin!

You have hit the nail on the head here – time, time, time! As you have mentioned, it is near impossible to find/make the time to deeply reflect and refine ones own practice. Cohort 21 not only carves out this time, but also provides tools and protocols to nudge and support us along the way.

I like the…Read more

In reply to - Caitlin Gaffney wrote a new post on the site Caitlin Gaffney Having recently started my first K-12 teaching job at University of Toronto Schools (UTS) less than a year ago, ‘shifting the focus’ has been a prominent […] ]]> 303b8d2029a18b0ddc60481d26e60c22 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/robingarand/2019/10/05/expressing-gratitude-reflecting-on-the-first-day-of-cohort-21/#comment-9 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:28:01 -0500 Thanks @rgarand!

Looking forward to learning more with everyone this Saturday!

In reply to - Robin Garand wrote a new post on the site Making Messes that Matter After going through our first day and all the incorporation of technology in this Cohort 21 journey I just want to take some time to express […] ]]> c300c567bb02868553e074e7e8a7595e Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/samwelbourn/2019/04/12/design-thinking-for-clarity-and-self-innovation/#comment-38 Fri, 12 Apr 2019 02:54:21 -0400 This post is just amazing, Sam.

The narrative of your “why” and described role as a co-learner with your students demonstrate exemplary teaching and professionalism.

As Dr. Jean Clinton says, “connection is the key”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAkJG3nmoPo

Looking forward to hearing more about your new design thinking course.

Well done sir!

In reply to - Sam Welbourn wrote a new post on the site Sam Welbourn Recently, I sent my Head of School a note of thanks letting her know how grateful I am to have been given the opportunity to experience Cohort 21.  In it, […] ]]> 6ab0c84846e2ee37bce6df850bf13465 Marc Brims wrote a new post on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/?p=67 Fri, 12 Apr 2019 00:44:49 -0400 One Conversation At A Time
One of the many things I like about Cohort 21 is that it acts as an impetus to think about ones practice, openly reflect, and thus learn. This act of open reflection also connects us to […]

]]> 1385e6fcb60af1e1b93f854cd8d3f12b Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/allisoncampbellrogers/2019/04/07/innovation-refining-my-approach/#comment-66 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 22:32:13 -0400 Allison!

What a thoughtful and reflective post. You frame innovation in here in an eloquent, purposeful, and accessible way for educators. Your experience has clearly allowed you to settle into your innovation support role with a sound grasp of context within which to gently innovate. I think that many teachers (myself included) are in the…Read more

In reply to - Allison Campbell-Rogers wrote a new post on the site Allison Campbell Rogers The journey this year in the role of innovation support staff has taught me much about myself as an educator.  I’ve thought constantly ab […] ]]> ff86afea852dcd62bdb9fbead7e22e9d Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/linaturnbull/2018/11/15/54/#comment-5 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:43:22 -0400 Great post Lina!

It is wonderful that you have brought your grade 2 and 3 students into the fold as advocates for their own learning. Your students have identified a desire for differentiated instruction to a tee here! Sensorial, kinesthetic, and visual aids, and best of all, exemplars!

Carving out time to seek feedback from your students can…Read more

In reply to - Lina Turnbull wrote a new post on the site Lina Turnbull     I had some very interesting conversations with several of my students this week. It was an odd feeling being the one asking them how I have done w […] ]]> 681c374daf6930cc1b622db5193e615f Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/mackenzieneale/2019/03/29/the-positive-side-of-procrastination/#comment-48 Mon, 01 Apr 2019 18:49:27 -0400 I loved this blog Mackenzie. It is succinct, impactful, and validates “procrastinators”. Procrastination is often viewed as a negative trait without any wider thinking of its value as a practice for intermittent deeper thinking. This blog re-frames procrastination and celebrates it as ideation. As you put it, “the sweet spot of procrastination…Read more

In reply to - Mackenzie Neale wrote a new post on the site Mackenzie Neale How many times have I started a blog post, saved it and then not posted it until weeks later? How many times have I looked at my never-ending “to do” […] ]]> 6a99a48021f10210e20cabe8a0262808 Marc Brims and Jennifer Syrota are now friends https://cohort21.com/activity-streams/p/9672/ Tue, 22 Jan 2019 22:54:38 -0500 0 49b6c3dcfb605f01b51cf85c2b32e638 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/jengravel/2019/01/12/reflecting-on-daily-learning/#comment-13 Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:13:22 -0500 Jen – your title says it all!
Although it is assumed that students learn daily in each of their lessons, we know that this is not always the case (particularly when rote “learning” is the pedagogy employed in a math classroom).
You have made excellent strides to track and encourage a focus on assessment as and for learning in your math class…Read more

In reply to - Jen Gravel wrote a new post on the site Jen Gravel Over the last few years, there has been a shift in my mathematics classroom from passive learning to active learning. In the past, students in my classes would […] ]]> 59c5ed027af47f9418616284507626c0 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/katherinejoyce/2018/11/16/do-not-go-gentle/#comment-7 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 19:57:49 -0500 Great questions Kathryn!!

These have further implications for interdisciplinary connections beyond grade 9 as well. Your action plan directly links to a broader aim of creating cohesive and authentic learning experiences for students across the curriculum with respect to prescient issues such as climate change (as well at Truth and…Read more

In reply to - Katherine Joyce wrote a new post on the site Katherine Joyce I am going plunge into this first blog post at the last minute. I have been thinking about this entry since our first Face-to-Face session in October, […] ]]> 9678735ed47e6bccd1d279b45baa9ab9 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/samwelbourn/2018/12/20/safer-path-to-exhaustion/#comment-16 Thu, 20 Dec 2018 18:04:09 -0500 This is a very honest blog, Sam. I think there is value in first being vulnerable to begin a path of intentional change. In my opinion, you are already on the “first step off of the safer path” by having identified that the current modus operandi of 1 X work is taking up too much of your time. I can identify with your struggle to build-in time for…Read more

In reply to - Sam Welbourn wrote a new post on the site Sam Welbourn In June, when I filled out my Cohort 21 information, I reflected on a possible theme.  It was that time of year when the totality of the year’s workload had me […] ]]> 5d6da878ac48a5446ced08d0e21f12b9 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/angelaguse/2018/12/09/design-thinking-my-action-plan/#comment-7 Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:30:37 -0500 Hi Angela,

It sounds like you and your team have a plan of action! It is really cool that you are working as a team on this endeavor (your own in-school professional learning group!). I think you are wise to collect student feedback on learning from your biology class. This will allow you to gauge pedagogical effectiveness and also glean…Read more

In reply to - Angela Guse wrote a new post on the site Angela Guse Going into Cohort21 my group of Albert College colleagues (Whitney and Mark) had a question in mind.  We wanted to investigate the use of ‘observations’ and […] ]]> bb515fd1801db85e75deebab03ad6048 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/michaelmoore/2018/12/02/today-im-grateful-for/#comment-136 Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:27:11 -0500 I totally agree on all fronts! Recognizing the hard work (gratefulness), dedication, and risk-taking of fellow educators (teachers and administrators) further enables (feeds) the growth mindset cycle.

In reply to - Michael Moore wrote a new post on the site Michael Moore   So I tried something new this year. Every morning, I’ve taken a few seconds (sometimes minutes) to reflect on what I am grateful for that day, and I’ve […] ]]> 0f94d1eb8d3c98ac1a1cc6608aa19dbf Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/wendydarby/2018/11/15/rare-species-update-the-librarian-adapts-to-her-new-natural-habitat/#comment-13 Fri, 16 Nov 2018 14:40:31 -0500 Wendy!

Thank you for briefly taking us through your journey as a librarian! Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn – it sounds like you are beginning to find your groove! It is particularly interesting that you are not a trained librarian and are learning through experience – I personally think this is amazing! It is also fantastic that you have…Read more

In reply to - Wendy Darby wrote a new post on the site Wendy Darby Today’s library. Close your eyes. What do you see? Learning Commons? Low shelves? High shelves? Students talking and collaborating? A “SHHHHHH” sign posted […] ]]> 5a63e6ae58fed2b766c640586350caa8 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/2018/11/15/action-plan-anxiety-and-engagement/#comment-26 Fri, 16 Nov 2018 03:26:26 -0500 Definitely Wendy!

It is easy to fall back into a fixed mindset when “in it” during the school year. Little hacks (including a word change in this case) really help to re-position my mindset into one of growth and learning.

In reply to - Marc Brims wrote a new post on the site Marc Brims I just got engaged! OK I have been married for 10 years – but I did just “really get engaged”.  At our first F2F last month, I had a great catch-up chat with ]]> 037698e63cbf6eb9c687d69bdb9926b0 Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/2018/11/15/action-plan-anxiety-and-engagement/#comment-25 Fri, 16 Nov 2018 03:23:46 -0500 Very eloquently put poet of pedagogy!

Alas, let us give way to the process on Saturday!

In reply to - Marc Brims wrote a new post on the site Marc Brims I just got engaged! OK I have been married for 10 years – but I did just “really get engaged”.  At our first F2F last month, I had a great catch-up chat with ]]> 61387690b7b6db6c5f358ae6c6ea799d Marc Brims wrote a new post on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/?p=65 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:22:12 -0500 I just got engaged!

OK I have been married for 10 years – but I did just “really get engaged”.  At our first F2F last month, I had a great catch-up chat with @timrollwagen . When he asked how I was doing, […]

]]> 996e9efeeb3f17aed4d1b6aaa015867e Marc Brims posted a new activity comment https://cohort21.com/lisabelanger/2018/10/13/failing-successfully/#comment-7 Mon, 15 Oct 2018 18:46:48 -0400 Great first post Lisa!

In your first paragraph you stated that “I’m here because I want to be innovative”. You are already on this path by recognizing that “failure” is learning that leads to new iterations of pedagogy.

In reply to - Lisa Belanger wrote a new post on the site Lisa Belanger I’m in a room full of strange faces. Correction, I actually know one person and have digitally met everyone else.  It’s my first face-to-face, day one, […] ]]> ee6a5b3f0a05355c51814c3a7c5cdeac Marc Brims commented on the post, Analog answers to Digital Learning, on the site Garth Nichols https://cohort21.com/garthnichols/uncategorized/analog-answers-to-digital-learning/#comment-2105 Fri, 07 Sep 2018 01:12:24 -0400 3d55170776d28a69347c1564c8917ae4 Marc Brims commented on the post, Authentic Learning at McMaster Children's Hospital, on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/2018/06/21/authentic-learning-at-mcmaster-childrens-hospital/#comment-22 Tue, 28 Aug 2018 01:37:40 -0400 c04259f11334b9ac062cc23f136b25a1 Marc Brims commented on the post, Diagnosing the Cohort Effect: "Daring Greatly", on the site Garth Nichols https://cohort21.com/garthnichols/face-to-face-sessions/diagnosing-the-cohort-effect-daring-greatly/#comment-1826 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:08:18 -0400 7bcfae03e6bd4046cc3cfa729c64cfb5 Marc Brims wrote a new post on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/?p=61 Thu, 21 Jun 2018 15:44:53 -0400 What better time to reflect and blog than at the end of a school year?

This past C21 season I focused on creating more authentic and deep learning experiences for students. Throughout the year, I made strides […]

]]> e90067801b891b3642e0e14b903bb9de Marc Brims commented on the post, Trading Card Conversations, on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/2018/02/13/trading-card-conversations/#comment-11 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:45:13 -0500 fdfc0d4276bb8da7f53505bcdd11df04 Marc Brims commented on the post, If in doubt, ask an administrator..., on the site Laura Ross https://cohort21.com/lauraross/2018/02/13/if-in-doubt-ask-an-administrator/#comment-38 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:44:13 -0500 84ce8c2f348e1f1b69154fb4884dd853 Marc Brims voted on If in doubt, ask an administrator... https://cohort21.com/activity-streams/p/7338/ Wed, 14 Feb 2018 12:20:25 -0500 0 f384bec73e7bf894f3f206e1adb7c283 Marc Brims wrote a new post on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/?p=56 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 16:19:30 -0500 “I wish I had a day to work on whatever I wanted to”

When Justin highlighted the fact we indeed had time to do just this at our last F2F session, it really hit home. I had the entire day to reflect on my pra […]

]]> a4ee5a0e7e40c57412841bd4e8586bd9 Marc Brims commented on the post, The Disconnected Educator, on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/2017/11/13/this-disconnected-educator/#comment-9 Wed, 10 Jan 2018 20:27:56 -0500 69d983694f53356e6d8326dbf2970d83 Marc Brims commented on the post, The Quiet Revolution, on the site Allison Macrae https://cohort21.com/allisonmacrae/2017/11/14/the-quiet-revolution/#comment-38 Thu, 16 Nov 2017 15:12:25 -0500 c9fada7d7c46ab69fbc410fb3c69c779 Marc Brims commented on the post, Let's Be Real, on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/2017/11/13/this-disconnected-educator/#comment-5 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 15:27:55 -0500 5988463fbd1f913f15e69a6e450da313 Marc Brims commented on the post, Let's Be Real, on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/2017/11/13/this-disconnected-educator/#comment-4 Tue, 14 Nov 2017 15:07:42 -0500 1879dfc6b302fcff7b3a68c7c285308a Marc Brims wrote a new post on the site Marc Brims https://cohort21.com/marcbrims/?p=47 Mon, 13 Nov 2017 16:53:33 -0500 The Disconnected Educator
When I was in my final year of study for my undergrad degree, I remember Facebook was just taking off. Many of my friends had joined, and were spending increasing amounts of time […]

]]> 73324dbea90ed2a5142e066186c0d684 Marc Brims commented on the post, Let's Be Real, on the site Allison Campbell Rogers https://cohort21.com/allisoncampbellrogers/2017/11/05/spaghetti-junction/#comment-5 Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:10:00 -0500 fb081f855566e8450804ad069c40ce05 Marc Brims commented on the post, Where to start with character education, on the site Andrew Young https://cohort21.com/andrewyoung/2017/11/03/where-to-start-with-character-education/#comment-13 Tue, 07 Nov 2017 12:24:50 -0500