Category: Principals

Calgary Floods June 24th 2013 YES …Calgarians Care

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

We All Have A Story To Tell

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It is important as educators that we remember that each student comes to us with a story and even if we think we know what that story is we may not, but we should always treat that student with dignity and respect.

Haiku Deck A Fantastic App for School Counsellors

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Haiku Deck A Fantastic App for School Counsellors.

School Counsellors Connecting With Each Other

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Image

At first when I heard about twitter I thought oh no one more thing to do and learn so why bother. I really thought I am too old to learn to use this, so what would be the point. Then everything changed. I went to a workshop by Alec Couros and was about to embark on a professional journey that would change how I connected to school counsellors and educators from around the world. Twitter and the professional network I have developed has ultimately impacted the way I practice as a school counsellor in a positive way.

As a school counsellor little did I know that opening a twitter account two years ago was one of the best ways I could develop professionally and connect with educators and school counsellors who are passionate about what they do.

 

What is twitter you might ask and why is it so helpful?

Twitter was founded in 2006. It is an online social networking platform that allows us to send and receive messages (140 characters). Within the body of the messages are often links to great resources or blogs or ideas that are just plain helpful. You can follow other educators and people who are associated with the ideas that are the most helpful to you. It is an extremely helpful tool that has impacted my professional life in a positive way linking me to educators who are creative, connected and willing to share ideas and resources. My PLN (personal learning network) helps me to learn almost daily. Today I need to thank @SISQITMAN for teaching me how to use word press in a more effective way. I met Glenn in ETMOOC which I found out about on twitter through @courosa which has been a gift to me as an educator. ALL the people in ETMOOC are always willing to help me as I am new to all this technology, but a most willing learner. Twitter leads to so many positive connections.

What I love about twitter:

  1. Amazing PD tool
  2. A fantastic way to connect with school counsellors and educators from all over the world
  3. A fast easy way to get access to great resources in mental health, psychology , education and school counselling
  4. Easy access to up to date resources in the field of education
  5. A great way to collaborate, connect and curate information
  6. Sharing leads to positive relationships that assist us to grow as school counsellors ( what you give , share on twitter comes back tenfold)

How can I learn more about twitter and how to use it?

  1. Ask your colleagues who are on twitter to help. Hands on lessons are the best.
  2. Go to a workshop on how to use twitter
  3. Sign up for  twitter and play and learn
  4. If you know how to use livebinders there are great resources here: Twitter … Helpful Ideas for School Counsellors
  5. Go to The Complete Manual for Understanding Twitter and learn more.

Who to follow on twitter in the School Counselling Field:

  • @SSpellmanCann            Canada
  • @Michelle0102197          Canada
  • @BoskerttheSC                  Canada
  • @TrentLangdonNL           Canada
  • @EHordyskiLuong            Japan
  • @ecmmason                        US
  • @sch_counselor                 US
  • @rsabella                              US
  • @juliataylor                          US
  • @pmsscounselor                 US
  • @Brian_Zink                  Mexico
  • @kadriblaster                Australia
  • @Teaching_Intl               China

People who resourceful and share great information:

  • @courosa
  • @gcouros
  • @rljessen
  • @karensharon
  • @grammasheri
  • @nobelknits2
  • @verenanz
  • @clhendricksbc
  • @AlisonSemen
  • @folynick
  • @SISQITMAN
  • @JeffMerrell
  • @bhwilkoff
  • @dendari
  • @mrsdkrebs
  • @gallit_z@v_lees
  • @onewheeljoe
  • @LaEducationista
  • @mbritt

Resources to follow:

  • @haikudeck
  • @scopeistech4scs
  • @psychcentral
  • @LiveBinders
  • @SCResourceCtr
  • @tellagami
  • @heretohelpbc
  • @mindcheck_ca
  • @AnxietyBC
  • @cspyyc
  • @pinterest

Hashtags to follow:

  • #cscchat              Canadian School Counsellor Chat
  • #scchat                School Counselor Chat
  • #edchat               Ed Chat
  • #cdnedchat         Canadian Educators Chat

Once you start tweeting you will love it. Those of us that have stayed with it and learned how to use it effectively absolutely love the benefits to our professional development.   Digital literacy is becoming a required skill that school counselors will benefit from . Who knows where it might lead? You’ll be a techie before you know it.  I would have never dreamed two years ago that I would be blogging, vlogging, sharing in Google hangouts or that I would be part of networks and Google communities that encourage and support each other.

Thanks to Alec Couros @courosa and everyone in ETMOOC who has helped me. I believe I am a better school counsellor with so many more resources than I ever could have dreamed of.

A big thanks also to Erin Mason @ecmmason I am connected in several ways to other school counselors who are always willing to help and point me in the right direction to resources.

Thanks to @HaikuDeck who have allowed me to share with other school counsellors, educators, and a diverse group of connected learners from around the globe who have assisted in making me better at what I do.

Connect with School Counsellors on twitter

Connect with School Counselors on Google plus Communities

Connect with school Counsellors on twitter chats

There is so much for us to learn together. I look forward continuing the journey.

              

Learning Through Openspokes

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Image

As part of a continual learning journey post ETMOOC, I am begiinning the process of vlogging.

This weeks topic is how do I learn best and as I refelct on what the other vloggers in the fellowship of the openspokes have said as well as reflecting on my own video, I realize at different points in my life my answer would have been different. For now the vlog below expresses a few thoughts on some of the ways i learn best today. However, I recognize that this may change for me depending on what , why and how I need to learn.

There is no doubt in my mind that one of the best ways to learn is to continue to be a learner. My brain seems like it is on overload these days as I continue to learn in a variety of ways.

I certainly hope I continue to  model life long learning and that it is OK to make mistakes. It took me several mistakes in attempting to upload my video to youtube, but now that it is there I have learned and written down what to do next time, so that I learn from this frustrating experience.

I am sure next time will be easier and I will be happy with myself that I persisted so that I could figure it all out!

MY VLOG:

Click on the link below to view my Haiku Deck that summarizes many of the ways my fellowship of the Openspokes learns.

Click here: http://www.haikudeck.com/p/4xavgfDse3/learning

Go to the fellowship of Open Spokes on YOUTUBE