Many people have inspired me over the years so I thought I would blog about some of them. Can't believe that it has been two and half years since I met this amazing educator! In October 2018 I was able to travel to Kelowna from my small school on the Westshore of Vancouver Island and spend the day at Ellison Elementary. Victoria Den Ouden (or The Vicki as she is called in my school) had promoted the event on twitter. I had previously downloaded an article Vicki wrote about loose parts https://bctela.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BCTELA-2018-Eng-Pract-Jrnl-lowres.pdf (page 25) The staff at my school thought it was wonderful and so I got the funding to go to a writing workshop given by Angela Stockman.BBCTELA-2018-Eng-Pract-Jrnl-lowres.pdfCTELA-2018-Eng-Pract-Jrnl-lowres.pdf So, why was the day amazing? First, Angela Stockman is a thinker and enjoys grappling with questions. The questions are meaningful, poignant, easily lead to engagement and most importantly, when you put the answers together, they tell a heartfelt story. If I was telling you this story out loud I would stop right here for effect and repeat that last sentence. Think about that for a second, minute, hour. The questions are meaningful, poignant, easily lead to engagement and most importantly, when you put the answers together, they tell a heartfelt story. Isn't that what makes us human beings? To learn through engagement and the heart. To have our stories heard in a safe environment? If you are a presenter or a consultant this is the key to excellent professional development. She knew her audience (which isn't always possible.) Angela used her time wisely, she had the right amount of talk versus getting her audience up and around trying new things and collaborating on ideas. She consistently asked for feedback (which I think is brave.) And she was inspiring. Not only that, Angela had two books published and somehow she added to the books instead of just repeating them. For the first time, in a long time, I wasn't an outsider with crazy ideas. I was home. I have so much to thank her for. My students love "loose parts." They love sticky notes. They love how individual the process of writing can be, and how they can still collaborate and let their voices be heard. I am so thankful to be part of her tribe. I am so thankful that I get to influence my school in this way. Of course, as we learn and grow we go deeper. Which really for me is what her latest book is all about. Going deeper, letting your students lead, asking deep thinking questions and grappling with answers. Disrupting the stories they tell themselves , and I tell myself about being reluctant to write (or in my case blog.) I am so thankful! If you want to check Angela out please go to www.angelastockman.com. Sign up for her weekly newsletter you will be glad you did!
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4/27/2021 04:54:32 am
I can count on one hand the visits I've made to learn in the company of colleagues and friends that actually leave me misty right now. This trip tops that list. It's the tippy tippy top of that list. I've had many experiences that leave me feeling grateful. This one left me feeling deeply connected to two new friends whose tender loving care for one another inside of this field is an example in an of itself--but whose true concern for children and their joyfulness and leadership and its essentialness has taught me much. These memories have kept me company over the last 18 months. Thank you for giving them to me, Stella. You are such a dear, wise friend.
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