Category: Open Spokes

Calgary Floods June 24th 2013 YES …Calgarians Care

Published on by Counsellor TalkLeave a comment
by
Mon, Jun 24 2013 17:46:31

Calgarians Care

Calgarians are great helpers as can be seen all over the city. I am grateful to live in a city with so many people who care so much.

  1. We will rebuild. CalgaryStrong! pic.twitter.com/17h9AOlCRC
    Calgaryism@Calgaryism·Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:47:59

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:47:59

  2. SSpellmanCann

    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    I created “Calgary Floods 2013” with @HaikuDeck: haikudeck.com/p/U1DekWUNVC #etmooc #openspokes #cdnedchat thx to all who r helping

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 15:26:03

  3. Macleod Trail underpass is no longer filled with water. Here’s a look at changes in water level there. #yyc pic.twitter.com/kHINADNNdw
    Calgary Herald@calgaryherald
    Sun, Jun 23 2013 11:54:38
  4. SSpellmanCann

    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    Calgary … Coping with A Crisis: youtu.be/Mo4MSomTNBI via @youtube #scchat

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 07:31:28

  5. Downtown Calgary is a ghost town in the events of the flood. No power. pic.twitter.com/pTjf24g3YX
    Loremaster Ketchup@MisqueTsvahl
    ·Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:41:23
  6. Distress_Centre

    Distress Centre@Distress_Centre
    Thank you so much to everyone who has been retweeting our crisis line # during this difficult time, 403.266.HELP(4357) #yycfloods

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 20:35:47

  7. Thank you for the generosity #yyc! 2 Timmy’s gift cards left tucked into a cruiser window 🙂 #WeAreCalgary pic.twitter.com/AqbiyTUYZW
    Calgary Police@CalgaryPolice

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 11:55:58

  8. SSpellmanCann

    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    Wanted to share my livebinder – Calgary Resources for families Responding to A Natural Disaster livebinders.com/play/play_or_e… #yycfloods #Calgary

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 19:30:15

  9. XL 103 Calgary

    XL 103 Calgary
    @metrocalgary: Flood victims will receive $1,250 per adult and $500 per child. Eligibility and distribution plans are being finalized #abflood #yycflood

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:05:15

  10. Flooding goes to row 8 in the Scotiabank Saddledome #yycflood #yyc pic.twitter.com/ARd2yseLJO
    Calgary Flames@NHLFlames

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 16:01:31

  11. cityofcalgary

    City of Calgary@cityofcalgary
    Volunteers (18yrs old min) Please meet at McMahon Stadium at 10 a.m.on June 24. ow.ly/mjE5t #yyc #yycfloods

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 00:48:01

  12. YYCFlood

    YYCFlood@YYCFlood
    This ones for all the volunteers helping out with the #YYCFlood
    #CALGARYSTRONG Song youtube.com/watch?feature=…

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:11:43

  13. johnrieti

    John Rieti@johnrieti
    Nenshi-mania at McMahon. A line of volunteers forms to hug the mayor, who responds ‘this is re-energizing me’ #abfloods #yycfloods

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 09:45:33

  14. Poor poor Harvey the Hound. #yyc #yycflood #abflood #saddledome pic.twitter.com/lZOQEMCxmC
    AMP Radio Calgary@ampcalgary

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:31:38

  15. SSpellmanCann

    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    Premier Alison Redford announces initial $1B in flood relief | Calgary | News | Calgary Sun calgarysun.com/2013/06/24/bui… #YYCFLOODS

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:07:03

  16. Receding water reveals staggering toll of flood damage in Calgary and southern Alberta bit.ly/144qG4f #yyc pic.twitter.com/JjcNifZ03U
    Calgary Herald@calgaryherald

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 04:53:50

  17. The #ctrain line north of #erlton looking all roller coastery. #yycflood #yycfloods #letsrebuild instagram.com/p/a87yduozIH/
    Osh@saroshrizvi

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 11:41:21

  18. “@JayCyyc: Calgary shows up. Thanks! #yycfloods pic.twitter.com/rqMUGU7xrE” #awesome #abfloods
    Ian Foss@sarfoss

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 11:02:09

  19. Naheed Nenshi

    Naheed Nenshi
    We have lots of news today, most of it good. The rivers are slowly returning to more normal flows, it is still very dangerous. Please stay away from the riverbank and river pathways. Perhaps the biggest news is that everyone in a single family home affected is allowed to return to do a self-assessment, with the exception of the 2200 block of 8th Ave SE in Inglewood. Please note that assessment of multi-family units (e.g. apartment complexes and condos) must be completed by the building owner or building superintendent. Individual occupants of multi-family units should confirm assessment has been completed and approved with their building contact.For important updates related to re-entry, transit, waste and recycling, and the situation downtown, please visit calgarycitynews.com/The federal and provincial governments have also made several announcements today regarding their plans to assist citizens and communities affected by flood relief. I want to thank Premier Redford and Prime Minister Harper and their ministers for their continuing support for rebuilding our city.

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:17:37

  20. VIRGIN Radio Calgary - Official Page

    VIRGIN Radio Calgary – Official Page
    Be careful when returning to your flooded home:
    calgary.ctvnews.ca/health-r… #yycflood #abflood #WeAreCalgary

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 11:44:49

  21. Wow. Just, wow. #yyc #abflood Photo courtesy J Dowd. pic.twitter.com/ydwpseoIEt
    Erin Lawrence-CTV @tvchick13

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 08:53:37

  22. More flood damage in the community of Mission. #yyc #yycfloods #yycflood #YYCFlood013 #globalyyc pic.twitter.com/27ltj9yPo4
    Braden Latam@BradenLatam

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 10:50:25

  23. JAOwen_Author

    J.A. Owen@JAOwen_Author
    Our city is filled with kind, wonderful people. It will recover fast #yycfloods

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 10:15:57

  24. Here’s what the flood did to 2 vehicles in Mission. (David Wakely photos) See more: bit.ly/10O2mFJ #yyc pic.twitter.com/fizvLy3SiF
    Calgary Herald@calgaryherald

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 10:47:59

  25. dandromarsky

    Dan Dromarsky@dandromarsky
    If you want your faith in humanity restored, come out to #alberta. #yeg #yyc #yycflood #yychelps #yycfloods

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 09:50:34

  26. hellonurse182

    Sarah Schultz@hellonurse182
    The Alberta Floods 2013 – Pictures & how you can help! buff.ly/12dNiPZ #abflood #yycfloods

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 08:55:08

  27. DHHSCalgary

    Deaf Hard of Hearing@DHHSCalgary
    We are thinking of those affected by the floods. If you need a listening/accessible ear please do not hesitate to stop by. #yycfloods

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 08:53:26

  28. kathgilkes

    KathrynGilkes@kathgilkes
    No school today, why not go out and #volunteer nothing like some #realworldlifelearning #yycfloods

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 08:15:03

  29. You can do your part to help…
  30. Text 30333 to automatically donate $5 to help w flood relief or visit redcross.ca #yyc #yycfloods #abflood pic.twitter.com/17or6VsDIC
    Healing Reflections @denelle3rs
    ·

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 00:31:12IMPORTANT: Calgary Catholic School District and Calgary Board of Education schools to remain closed until Thursday #ABflood#yycflood

  31. Sun, Jun 23 2013 18:08:24

  32. SSpellmanCann

    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    @buzzbishop @dadcamp Love thy neighbour Agree Calgarians are amazing. We don’t have to look for the helpers they are everywhere #yycflood

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 20:11:38

  33. CCSD_edu

    CCSD@CCSD_edu
    Calgary Catholic employees will receive direct information via email regarding staffing. #CCSD

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 20:48:23

  34. Military moves in to protect key Enmax substation in southeast bit.ly/1349cby #yyc #yycflood pic.twitter.com/KTF0f2DfTx
    Calgary Herald@calgaryherald
    ·

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 16:37:06

  35. Calgary Herald front page flood coverage. June, 1929. twitpic.com/cyv6co
    David Gray@Graydio1

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 20:27:33

  36. Red Cross to receive proceeds of artist’s Scuba Nenshi shirt sales #yycflood #yyc calgary.ctvnews.ca/red-cross-to-r… @CTVNews pic.twitter.com/DzfHYIFYEo
    CTV Calgary@CTVCalgary
    ·

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 12:46:46

  37. Refreshingly optimistic, as Calgary always is. #yycflood pic.twitter.com/YmeNddUqvZ
    Calgary K@M_KWAD
    ·

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 09:27:24

  38. In the end we will be better Calgary I can see it and I think they can too!
  39. Photo of Calgary #YYC courtesy Keri. #ABflood pic.twitter.com/hV5SqjTM04
    CTV Calgary@CTVCalgary

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 09:40:50

Read next page

Did you find this story interesting? Be the first to
or comment.

Liked!

Calgary … Floods and A Hopeful Community 2013

Published on by Counsellor TalkLeave a comment
by
Sun, Jun 23 2013 10:46:04

Calgary … An amazing community of people willing to

make a difference.

Calgary is experiencing as @CBC says one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Social media has a positive part to play in helping inform and help in the days, weeks and months to come. I am so grateful. Calgarians are fantastic!

  1. LOVE this. RT @scottcbakken: Calgary strong #togetherwewillrise #calgarystrong @nenshi @cityofcalgary #yycfloods pic.twitter.com/dfmtjME6lK
    Jen Taylor@littlemissmocha

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 08:22:18

  2. elizaboothy

    Elizabeth Booth@elizaboothy
    The @CBCCalgary is calling this one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Hang in there, neighbours. @yycfloodSat, Jun 22 2013 12:07:16 
  3. RT @FarahDhalla This is what has become of downtown #Calgary #yyc #yycfloods #twn pic.twitter.com/j3lzi7fXw6
    The Weather Network@weathernetwork
    ·Fri, Jun 21 2013 14:01:47
  4. cstclair1

    Chris St.Clair@cstclair1
    Hats off! U R The Best! First Responders – The #RedCross & Canadian Troops #Alberta #Calgary #YYCFloods

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 10:13:50

    RedCrossAB
  5. Red Cross Alberta@RedCrossAB
    Restoring Family Links call centre is ready. If you are looking for family that has been evacuated you can contact 1-866-696-6484 #yycfloods
    Fri, Jun 21 2013 13:33:13
    YOU CAN HELP:
  6. CalgarysChild

    Calgary’s Child @CalgarysChild
    Please support our local #yyc businesses, they need our support now more than ever. #yycflood

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 09:08:45

  7. Drop-In Centre wishlist – bring items to temp. centre (former hotel) 4804 Edmonton Trail NE #yyc #yycflood pic.twitter.com/EATDADUMNS
    CTV Calgary@CTVCalgary
    ·

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 13:00:17

  8. SSpellmanCann

    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    Could I just say again how PROUD I am to live in a city with a Mayor like @nenshi. YOU are an OUTSTANDING leader #yycflood

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 10:50:38

  9. #KeepCalm #NenshiOn #yycflood pic.twitter.com/nJsn9ZRF59
    Dan Grassick@Ninjarale
    ·

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 13:41:52

  10. A video I created for #openspokes a vlogging place for educators from across North America. A supportive online community, a place where educators reflect on a variety of topics.
  11. SSpellmanCann

    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    Calgary … Coping with A Crisis: youtu.be/Mo4MSomTNBI via @youtube #scchat

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 07:31:28

    Erin’s reflection…Beautiful and thoughtful post about social media as a support during difficult times Thx @EHordyskiLuong#abflood erinluong.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/rea…
  12. verenanz

    Verena Roberts@verenanz
    Beautiful and thoughtful post about social media as a support during difficult times Thx @EHordyskiLuong #abflood erinluong.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/rea…

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 21:56:57

  13. SSpellmanCann

    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    @verenanz @EHordyskiLuong thx for sharing feeling that we can help more in the days, weeks and months to come

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 07:46:14

    \
  14. Retweet if you agree #YYCFlood #CalgaryStrong pic.twitter.com/dhDnuGL0vF
    AMP Radio Calgary@ampcalgary
    ·

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 09:37:42

    Great PLN Checking in…
  15. dendari

    Brendan Murphy@dendari
    Stay dry my friends MT @SSpellmanCann: Calgary Flooding – 2013 Flood- Calgary Video Production – BizBOXTV bizboxtv.com/calgary-floodi…

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 06:09:54

  16. AlisonSeaman

    Alison Seaman@AlisonSeaman
    @SSpellmanCann you okay?

    Fri, Jun 21 2013 19:54:21

  17. AlisonSeaman

    Alison Seaman@AlisonSeaman
    @SSpellmanCann Oh good! Agree. My BIL & SIL had to evacuate Mission (they are okay). A yr ago today I was skipping stones on the Elbow. OMG.

    Fri, Jun 21 2013 20:03:30

  18. Stephkrammer

    Stephanie Krammer@Stephkrammer
    @verenanz @deirdrebailey @ErinCouillard @EHordyskiLuong @SSpellmanCann all good here too…up @ 6am to get h2o …@verenanz …u guys ok?

    Fri, Jun 21 2013 07:23:58

  19. verenanz

    Verena Roberts@verenanz
    @deirdrebailey Just checking in on you… @ErinCouillard @EHordyskiLuong @SSpellmanCann @Stephkrammer

    Thu, Jun 20 2013 22:47:11

  20. NHLFlames

    Calgary Flames@NHLFlames
    Photos from inside the Scotiabank Saddledome ~ cflam.es/12VsG0C #yycflood #yyc

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 15:59:04

  21. David Suggitt

    David Suggitt
    Most Inspiring Photos from the 2013 Calgary Flood #calgaryflood

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 10:16:46

  22. YYC Flood Hero | 660News

    11 hours ago … If you have any stories about people helping people or even just random acts of kindness please tweet us at #yycfloodh…
    lisa.grant
  23. RT @nicolelisafeld: Memorial Drive #yycflood pic.twitter.com/T3C5ETu2b7 Never seen anything like it! My heart goes sout to all those affected
    Susan Spellman Cann@SSpellmanCann
    ·

    Fri, Jun 21 2013 15:38:08

  24. CCSD_edu

    CCSD@CCSD_edu
    Only high schools in non-evacuated areas will remain open for students writing diploma exams for the week of June 24. bit.ly/14lGEpE

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 18:45:41

    I know our students will show amazing strength and support…
  25. YMCA_Calgary

    YMCA Calgary@YMCA_Calgary
    @SSpellmanCann Aiden has graciously volunteered to come back this evening for a jam session. Looking forward to it! #ABFloods #yycflood

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 09:45:39

  26. UnitedWayCgy

    Calgary United Way@UnitedWayCgy
    Support @RedCrossAB to help where it’s needed most right now. Together, we’ll make it through this! redcross.ca #yycflood #yyc

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 07:36:47

  27. RedCrossAB

    Red Cross Alberta@RedCrossAB
    Telus has made it even easier to donate. Text REDCROSS to 30333 to donate $5 in support of #ABfloods #yycflood

    Fri, Jun 21 2013 15:01:23

  28. ShelKenn

    Sheldon Kennedy@ShelKenn
    I am very very proud of@nenshi @CalgaryPolice and all frontline workers and all albertans. Thanks@pmharper for deploying troops Stay strong

    Fri, Jun 21 2013 19:36:47

  29. #YYCFlood Mother Nature Has A Way of Humbling Us All | The …

    1 day ago … Calgary Alberta, Canada, home to just over 1 million people, the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth, “The Stampede“, the Texa…
    Michael Smith
  30. jianghomeshi

    jian ghomeshi@jianghomeshi
    “Hug your public servants” – @nenshi on @CBCTheNational. Nice shout out to hardworking folks putting in long hours in #Alberta. #yycflood

    Fri, Jun 21 2013 19:20:33

    Briefing with @Premier_Redford and @nenshi. ow.ly/mh29g #abflood#yycflood

  31. Fri, Jun 21 2013 14:22:34

  32. BTCalgary

    BT Calgary@BTCalgary
    Mayor @nenshi announces full exemption for grade 12 students from diploma exams. The teacher, or classroom grade will be their final grade.

    Sun, Jun 23 2013 07:30:56

  33. buzzbishop

    Buzz Bishop@buzzbishop
    I am so flipping proud of #yyc media, community, and city use of social media tonight. Absolutely GENIUS everyone. #yycflood

    Thu, Jun 20 2013 20:20:46

  34. WBrettWilson

    – W. Brett Wilson –@WBrettWilson
    Until you visit – you can’t appreciate the spirit of caring that permeates the evacuation shelters. High River will be back.

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 18:49:12

  35. Well played @calgarystampede. #yycflood pic.twitter.com/rR73W5eIrQ
    Stephanie Pelley@StephaniePelley
    ·

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 12:02:32

  36. Flooding outside the Scotiabank Saddledome – please stay away from the building until further notice #yycflood #yyc pic.twitter.com/l7YaHuyxfK
    Calgary Flames@NHLFlames
    ·

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 16:03:37

  37. Aerial photo of flooding around the Saddledome. #yycflood pic.twitter.com/kZlDekMfZK
    Calgary Police@CalgaryPolice
    ·

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 14:39:23

  38. This pic of an awesome firefighter in Mission needs to go viral. Please share! #yycflood @redcrosscanada pic.twitter.com/3m3AiodrA5”
    Karen Bruce@kbruce237
    ·

    Fri, Jun 21 2013 18:54:27

    The people of Calgary will make a difference and show their heartwarming spirit!
  39. “@ampcalgary: Who else needs to see a pic like this today? 🙂 #calgarystrong #yycflood pic.twitter.com/ZuFw2X6oZc” IT’S SO VIVID
    ♛ Nick Davies ♛@blackpumahat
    ·

    Sat, Jun 22 2013 13:47:31

Read next page

Did you find this story interesting? Be the first to
or comment.

Liked!

The Tough Topics in Education … Suicide

Published on by Counsellor Talk1 Comment

This week in #openspokes we were asked to tackle the tough topics and I decided to tackle the topic of suicide which is NOT easy.

School Counsellors often have to assist students with the grief process. Over the years I have seen students who have lost parents, siblings, friends, classmates and family members some due to a completed suicide which is the most tragic of all.

Below listen to a young man’s story that begins to tell the story of the impact on family and friends. I am not sure that there are any words to descibe the impact that this tragedy truly has,but his words I am hopeful will help other students.

As school counsellors our role is to be helpful in anyway that we can by infusing HOPE in as many ways as possible.

When a school experiences the loss of a student everyone feels the loss as expressed here by a note left to a student who died.

Dear_____,

Even though we haven’t formally met, I look at your spot in English class and I am deeply saddened that you are not here with us…

It is never easy seeing a student in deep pain especially if the loss was tragic or sudden. Often times school counsellors need to ensure that they have dealt with their own issues surrounding grief so that they can best help others. School Counsellors need to be aware of vicarious trauma or counsellor burnout when assisting students who have experienced traumatic events.

Here are my livebinders on Suicide Prevention and HOPE:

Suicide Prevention and HOPE

Mental Health resources

I know school counsellors save lives everyday and I want to thank you for the important work you do that no one else sees. I know because I have been a school counsellor for a long time. So keep doing what you are doing even though it can be extremely difficult at times.

There are students who you will make a difference for… of that I am sure! Take care of yourself so that you can continue to help others.

Do You Really Want To Be A Teacher?

Published on by Counsellor Talk2 Comments

I say an emphatic YES. I have no regrets about choosing a profession I love and have loved since 1980.

When I hear people tell young people to not go into teaching it saddens me, because I think we need great teachers who love what they do. Of course there are things that are not so great that teachers have to do and yes parts of what teachers do are extremely difficult. There is no doubt about that, but it is still a wonderful profession that has many, many rewards.

The students are why we do what we do.  We want to be part of their learning. We want to make a difference in their lives. We want to impact how they live their lives and contribute to society. So if anyone asks me if they should become a teacher I will say YES, YES, YES. I will tell them they have an amazing opportunity to be around and impact youth. No doubt there will be frustrations and work you don’t like to do, but the positives will so outweigh the negatives.

There are so many great things about being an educator:

  • Working with students is number one
  • Working with people who love what they do is number two
  • Having choices to do a variety of jobs within a district…teaching at different levels, consulting, administration, counselling etc.
  • Having the freedom to be creative every day
  • Learning, learning, learning. If you are a teacher you are always learning
  • So many, many more reasons

This is an exciting time in education. There will be many changes over the next few years and teachers will have the opportunity to work with youth differently while still impacting their lives in a positive way. I encourage you to find your passion and if it happens to be teaching both YOU and the students will benefit! So I say go ahead CHOOSE TEACHING.

Since 1991 I have been a School Counsellor and I believe teaching and School Counselling have been the best careers in the world. Everyday,I am grateful!

All you educators out there tell me why you would tell young people to go into teaching. Please share your ideas.

Making A Difference On Line … Using Social Media to Make the World A Better Place for Educators and Students

Published on by Counsellor Talk2 Comments

Just for Today recognize that you can build a positive reputation. Even if you have said or done negative things in the past, start today to be honest, reliable and reputable. You can use social media to make a positive difference or a negative difference. It is all up to YOU.

Digital Citizenship has a place in every school and we need to focus on the positive aspects of the internet as well as the things that concern us.

You might want to ask yourself:

  • What are the creative opportunities on the web?
  • How can I make a positive impact on the world on the web?
  • What are the ethical dilemmas?
  • What are the rewards and the risks of being on line?

As an educator it is important for you to find great examples on the internet of students doing things to not only improve their own opportunities, but to improve the lives of those in their school, communities, and around the world. We also need to encourage students to look for these great examples as well.

I’d like to see schools focus on those students who make a difference on the internet by providing them with a scholarship that recognizes all the good they do online.

I’d also like to see every school teach students and educators about Creative Commons .

As educators we need to create our own digital footprint and model good Digital Citizenship for our students. Taking Care Of Your Digital Self highlights the importance of a positive digital presence.

When teaching Digital Citizenship we need students to recognize that they need to be responsible and learn everything they can about being a good citizen period.

We need to ask students:

  • If I were to look you up online what would I find?
  • What would you want others to find?
  • If your grandmother googled you would she be proud of what she found?
  • What is your digital tattoo? Find out more information at http://digitaltattoo.ubc.ca/

George Couros discusses the importance of students developing digital leadership skills—positive, proactive connection, cultivation, sharing, and creation of new knowledge and learning to help others.

Resources:

Be a Digital Citizen

Choose what happens next … a you tube video that is interactive for students

 Alec Couros has an excellent wiki of amazing resources to use :

My livebinder on Digital Citizenship:

My pinterest site on Digital Citizenship:

Check out my Haiku Deck on Digital Identity

Act As If …

If you have any other ideas or resources to share on this topic please do.

The Other 21st Century Skills

Published on by Counsellor TalkLeave a comment

I love this post by Jackie Gerstein. She says so many things that are close to my heart. This is a fantastic blog for new school counsellors and those that want to add to their school counselling toolbox.

School Counsellors can model and teach:

  • Adaptability
  • Agility
  • Curiosity
  • Collaboration
  • Critical Thinking
  • Effective oral and written communication
  • Empathy
  • Grit
  • Global Stewartship
  • Hope
  • Imagination
  • Optimism
  • Problem Solving
  • Resilience
  • Self-regulation
  • Vision

Thanks Jackie for writing such a great post to share with school counsellors and other educators.

Jackie Gerstein, Ed.D.'s avatarUser Generated Education

skills

Many have attempted to identify the skills important for a learner today in this era of the 21st century (I know it is an overused phrase).  I have an affinity towards the skills identified by Tony Wagner:

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Collaboration across networks and leading by influence
  • Agility and adaptability
  • Initiative and entrepreneurialism
  • Effective oral and written communication
  • Accessing and analyzing information
  • Curiosity and imagination   http://www.tonywagner.com/7-survival-skills

Today I viewed a slideshow created by Gallup entitled, The Economics of Human Development: The Path to Winning Again in Education.

Here are some slides from this presentation.

2013-05-21_1100

This presentation sparked my thinking about what other skills and attributes would serve the learners (of all ages) in this era of learning.  Some other ones that I believe important based on what I hear at conferences, read via blogs and other social networks include:

  • Perseverance
  • Resilience
  • Hope and Optimism
  • Vision
  • Self-Regulation
  • Empathy and Global…

View original post 1,155 more words

Being An Open Educator Is Definitely A Process

Published on by Counsellor TalkLeave a comment

Being an Open Educator is definitely a process for me. What does being open mean? Well at this point in my life it means that I am open to learning, open to discovery, open to connecting,  open to inspiration, open to reflection, open to remaining hopeful, open to collaboration and open to finding ways that will assist and impact our students now and in the future. As a school counsellor my role is different, but being open is the same. I am connecting with diverse educators and counsellors who all want the same thing … what is best for our students. They are motivated, caring people who want to impact students in a positive way, wanting them to thrive.  They choose to be in a profession to work with students because they know that students matter and so does being an Open Educator.

Alec Couros began my thinking of being open during ETMOOC. He defines Open Teaching  in the following way:

  “Open teaching is described as the facilitation of learning experiences that are open, transparent, collaborative, and social. Open teachers are advocates of a free and open knowledge society, and support their students in the critical consumption, production, connection, and synthesis of knowledge through the shared development of learning networks.”

Part of being open is helping students and myself understand and use Creative Commons .

I believe I am becoming more open all the time by involving myself in the following:

  • Open Spokes: A fellowship for anyone who is interested in using video for reflecting on the practice of teaching and learning . Check out the following links:

The Fellowship of Open Spokes

Vote for Questions to ask these Vloggers

Become a member of Open Spokes

Here is what my fellow Vlogger  Jas has to say about being open.

My Vlog on being an Open Educator : 

I love what Sheri my fellow Open Spokes friend has to say about being open:

Open is Attitude Open is Hope

Other ways I am being Open …

I am happy to be learning along with such great Open Educators who challenge my thinking and encourage me to be better at what I do. Thanks to all of my PLN. You have helped me in the process of becoming an Open Educator and as a result I know it will positively impact students.

Haiku Deck A Fantastic App for School Counsellors

Published on by Counsellor Talk3 Comments

HAIKU DECK is a fantastic app to use for School Counsellors. It is no secret that I love this app. I love this app because it is easy to use and creates professional looking beautiful presentations that I can easily use in my counselling office or as a professional development tool that I can use in presentations with other school counsellors. Stunning visuals have the ability to evoke emotion, a powerful tool for school counsellors to utilize. By being an active champion of both learning and technology school counsellors can use Haiku Deck to create amazing visuals that not only assist students in learning , but they can actually help students.

If you would like to try the web app please click  here: You are invited to try the Haiku Deck web app.

 Image                     

Click here to see this deck:

The newest version of Haiku Deck is even better than before. Check out the Haiku Deck blog for some hot tips on how to make new and exciting presentations.

The truth about stories is, that ‘s all we are”.

Thomas King

Image

School Counsellors can use this app to:

  • Share stories (while still keeping confidentiality)
  • Engage students brain to help them remember what is important
  • Share small and/or  big ideas
  • Present topics to other counsellors
  • Share ideas or topics with students ( easy to share in your office as topic starters)
  • Have students create decks on coping skills or to tell their story
  • Co create a deck with students
  • Create positive quotes and have them rotating in your office
  • Post Haiku Deck’s on your schools facebook site.
  • Tweet decks to students in your school with messages that promote school counselling
  • Tweet decks to other school counsellors.

Please feel free to share ideas you come up with so we can remix and share the best Haiku Deck’s for School Counsellors ever.

Parents might also like getting Haiku Deck’s. It is a great way to promote your School Counselling Program.

Because HAIKU DECK has a Creative Commons license, finding a picture that fits your ideas is fast and easy and as school counsellors this is extremely helpful. It’s as easy as 1-2-3 to set yourself up and share.

How to use Haiku Deck for school counsellors:

STEP 1 Go to: http://www.haikudeck.com/

STEP 2: Sign up for Haiku Deck and create a password

STEP 3: Download the app on your IPAD and start creating

Haiku-Easy-Steps

Need ideas and visuals go to the gallery where you will find all kinds of great HAIKU DECKS.

Start using Haiku Deck now and your life as a school counsellor will become be enhanced because you’ll get to share great presentations with others that look like it took you forever to create!

You can view more presentations in Haiku Deck’s Gallery, Haiku Deck’s Pinterest boards, and make sure you follow and share your experiences with Haiku Deck on Twitter (you can even tweet your fantastic presentations to them with #setyourstoryfree ) .

Check out  Susan’s Pinterest HaikuDecks for school counsellors to get you started with some ideas. 

Follow Haiku Deck on twitter @haikudeck

School Counsellors please share your counselling haikudeck’s with me on twitter @sspellmancann. I would like to pin and share with others. let’s work together to make some of the best deck’s ever for students. 

Click below to see Erin Luong’s Haiku Deck ( high school counsellor)  that she co- created with a student.


 HD Tips and tricks

Connection In a Self- Directed Learning Environment: Learning and Teaching in the Digital Age

Published on by Counsellor Talk4 Comments

What’s going on inside the building of Bishop Carroll is not only exciting, but innovative, educational and engaging. Not only are the halls of Bishop Carroll High School buzzing, but inside the offices of several educators learning is taking place.

Bishop Carroll High School is a part of the Canadian Coalition of Self- Directed Learning

Bishop Carroll works together with other members of the coalition to improve the self-directed experience of all the learners. These schools meet together on an ongoing basis as well as convene at a yearly conference to look at ways of improving the model for students.

All of us at Bishop Carroll agree that we have never been in a school where so much focus and dialogue on instruction takes place on a regular basis. In fact, our staff has biweekly professional development meetings to ensure that we are able to collaborate on best practices and share new ideas. Teachers are continually focusing on how they can make things better for students in a self-directed learning environment.

Bishop Carroll has been around and functioning for over 40 years. Changing visions and learners have meant that staff has also adjusted to honor the shift.  Within the last four years, the staff started making a technological commitment. Innovative practices, sharing, collaboration, encouraging our students to experiment with different formats and technological materials has produced growth for not only students, but also teachers. Students have many choices in how they choose to receive information ranging from personal exploration of a topic, pod casts, discussion forums, Google- docs, multimedia presentations, digital learning guides and a focus on digital citizenship.

Technology has not replaced teachers, but has enhanced the learning experience for both the teacher and the student. Technology can be seen as a launching pad for further and more in depth discussions.

Three of us at Bishop Carroll have signed up for an educational experience like none other.  Seeing as we already focus on technology as part of our teacher professional growth plans, we felt that getting involved at an international level would be very beneficial. This is a first MOOC for all three of us. What is a MOOC? It is a Massive Open Online Course. We are taking #ETMOOC and are so happy we are involved in this process as it reminds us of what it is like to be a student in the 21st century. For more information go to ETMOOC

How are #etmoocers like students in our self-directed school?

Both:

  1. are self- directed learners.
  2. set our own learning goals
  3. at first experience an increase of  anxiety in a new learning environment
  4. are following a personalized program
  5. are excited about learning in a place that honors the way we want to learn
  6. are encouraged to be autonomous and have opportunities to direct our own learning
  7. are taking risks (we ask students to do this every day)
  8. are critically examining what we do and why we do it
  9. look to teachers to guide them through the process
  10. are self- paced, involving continuous progress
  11. are student centered environments with a focus on active learning, reflection and collaboration
  12. ask for HELP, and often it’s  just a click away

Today we chose to collaborate to write this blog post as part of the sharing experience. As we progress through this open forum we hope to continue to share best practice in both the teaching realm as well as what we are doing in the role as school counsellors.
Happy blogging
erin heather susan

http://www.sspellmancann.wordpress.com
http://www.erinluong.wordpress.com
http://www.heatherenzie.wordpress.com