Inspiration

Our School (Our Why)

• Relationships central to everything we do.

• Everyone has the ability to be a leader.

• Recognition of the whole person.

• Effective teaching leads to effective learning. Learning must be relevant to the student.

Me?

Relationships

Distributed Leadership

What is in the best interest of students

Passion

What is your sentence? (Dan Pink)

While watching the video, how do you motivate students in your classroom to share their passions? Share in the chat area on Eluminate.

Objectives of the presentation

• Discuss the process of Identity Day.• Share stories about the “Why” of the day.• Focus on the importance of relationships in

the school.• Get you/your school involved.

The Process (What is Identity Day?)

• Staff Initiative = 1st Success!• Science Fair type activity.• All students started with the same question –

“What is one thing about you that you really would love to share about yourself? Think of different ways you can share this with others and create some type of display to show your information.”

• Brainstormed

The Process (What is Identity Day?)

• Who is involved EVERYONE (All students and staff created their own type of display)

• Keeping it simple – Focus on one thing! Deepens learning on topic.

• Getting word out to school community.• Who is invited EVERYONE (The entire school

community is invited)

**Questions about process?

“We cannot teach students if we do not know them well.”

(Hoffman and Leak)

The Why? Finding Passion (About Interests)

The Why? Finding Passion (About Culture)

The Why? School Culture

How do you get parents and other community members involved in developing character education? (Aviva Dunsinger) http://twitter.com/Grade1

The Why? School Culture

Relationships are two way streets. We need to listen to our students, just as much as we

listen to them. We also need to share ourselves with them as much we expect them

to share themselves with us.

The Why? School Culture (Staff Involvement)

The Why? School Culture (Staff Involvement)

The Why? School Culture (School Teacher vs. Classroom Teacher)

The Why? School Culture

• How do you encourage your teachers to deeply listen to students?(Kirsten Olson) http://www.kirstenolson.org/

• The Prize Inside…How do you find it?

• Teach kids first, curriculum 2nd.

cc licensed flickr photo by mikebdoss: http://flickr.com/photos/mikebdoss/3510629016/

The Why? School Culture (Changing Perceptions)

How could you not love that

face?

The Why? Connections

• How do you get everyone on the same page at your school? (Kelly Alford) http://twitter.com/kelalford

• What do you do with students to lead initiatives?

LEADER

The Why? Connections

The Why? Everyone is a Leader

• What do you consider to be qualities of a leader? Share through chat.

• Can you see his passion? My view, that is something a leader MUST possess!

What this day was NOT about

• Grading Students• What staff thought

students should present on.

• Defining ways for students to deliver information.

How do you build acceptance? (Aviva Dunsinger)

http://twitter.com/Grade1

Marley and Tourette Syndrome

The students have the opportunity to teach others about themselves. Marley built

acceptance through the opportunity given her, but ultimately she did it.

What this day was about?

• People within the school community

• Finding student passion• Learning and

understanding about each other.

• School culture and environment.

• Connecting.

How do we know this worked?How would you know that a school

had developed the culture you espoused? What would you see if

you peered into the doors? (jeffmason)

Do you think our goal of strengthening relationships was achieved?

What other elements could I show you that would prove this was a success?

Is there enough evidence in the few pictures I shared with you today?

Real and long lasting change takes time. Our journey is heading in the right direction.

Want to do this with your school/classroom?

• Contact me if you need anything.

• Plan for May .(Why so late?)

• Share your day with others through your PLN.

• Share your stories.

Want to do this with your school?

Instruction begins when you, the teacher, learns from the learner; put yourself in his place so that you may understand . . . what

he learns and the way he understands it. Soren Kierkegaard

Final Thoughts

Learn from students.

Share with students.

Connect with students.

Where you can find me

• Twitter – http://twitter.com/gcouros• Blog – http://georgecouros.ca• Email – gcouros@psd70.ab.ca• Digital Footprint -

http://georgecouros.ca/blog/my-digital-footprint

Resources

• Notes and Resources - http://moourl.com/identityday

• Diigo Links - http://www.diigo.com/list/gec127/Identity-Day

• Dan Pink – What is your sentence? http://www.startwithwhy.com/

• Simon Sinek – The Golden Circle: http://www.startwithwhy.com/