Centennial hosted our 2nd annual Culture Day this week. First a couple great moments shared and then some how to 🙂 A couple days before Culture Day I was feeling a bit frustrated pulling things together and wasn’t sure how much participation we would get. I shared this with a colleague and she told me … Continue reading Filipino K-Popish music bringing students together
Poutine & Perogies & Leadership
“Mr. Dickson, how do you pronounce poutine? Is it pooteeen or pootin?” There is about 10 minutes left in my Gr 10 student leadership class when a table of kids asks me this question. Now I am intrigued. But first I must crush their image of me as their all knowing teacher. My answer, “I … Continue reading Poutine & Perogies & Leadership
Turns Out Connection Matters!
At the end of Semester 1 we held our Gr 9 tours. We are a 10-12 school so this is a chance to welcome the Class of 2026! 25 Leadership all stars came in to help guide tours on a day when there were no classes or exams. After a quick opening assembly they would … Continue reading Turns Out Connection Matters!
99 becomes 100%
Today is the deadline to hand in assignments for Semester 1 in my Leadership classes. For a few students this is when they try to figure out how to do most of the course assignments in two days. But yesterday I experienced a breath of fresh air. Jill (name changed) came up to my desk … Continue reading 99 becomes 100%
Recruiting Quality Student Leaders with Crayons
It is 8:05 AM on a Friday. Leighton has come in early to be a Walmart greeter, welcoming students to school with some music and a wave. They see that we will be coloring today and gets excited. You see, once a semester students spend the first half of class coloring. Then the class puts … Continue reading Recruiting Quality Student Leaders with Crayons
Awesomeness Is Back!!!
A couple of weeks ago I was preparing my Leadership classes for the day retreat they would be going on. Here are some of the reminders I was giving: All 3 classes are coming Don't forget to wear your blue leadership shirt and bring a lunch or $ No I am not giving you directions … Continue reading Awesomeness Is Back!!!
Sam I Am, Sam I Am … I will try that this week Sam I Am!
Josh walked into the classroom, came right up to me (he is 6’5” and at least 275 lbs) and said “We are doing the Green Eggs & Ham challenge, right?!” You bet Josh. The previous week I read the class Green Eggs & Ham. I then challenged them to try something new during the next … Continue reading Sam I Am, Sam I Am … I will try that this week Sam I Am!
Mr. Dickson, You Didn’t Do Anything!
Centennial Leadership was in the middle of running our 3rd Annual Rockathon Fundraiser for the Alberta Children’s Hospital. I had to leave the event for an hour and coach rugby on our field. Another teacher was left in charge just in case. When I returned the photo booth was up and running and students were … Continue reading Mr. Dickson, You Didn’t Do Anything!
Staff Appreciation Wordle – High Impact & Simple! (and some bonus Pi)
A new staff appreciation student leadership group has been formed. What to do, what to do? They were looking for a creative idea and I had nothing. Most of our staff have been at Centennial for a while so they have seen it all. Then the minor leadership teacher miracle occurred. They came up with … Continue reading Staff Appreciation Wordle – High Impact & Simple! (and some bonus Pi)
No Cell Phone Distractions in Leadership Class? A Silly Dream or My New Reality?
24 years teaching student leadership – can an old dog learn a new trick? Yes he can!!! Realistic Picture - I just got glasses! I always felt it was not worth it to fight with kids over cellphone use in class. I would constantly be reminding them and it would make me crazy. So other … Continue reading No Cell Phone Distractions in Leadership Class? A Silly Dream or My New Reality?
Brent Dickson 