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?
The 5 Days Of School Left Brown Bag Fundraising Miracle
One week left until Christmas Break – 5 days of school – everyone is tired. My Leadership 10s are running a Brown Bag Fundraiser. We have a number of students at school who experience a food deficit at home. We offer them food at lunch each day. There is no money to support this so … Continue reading The 5 Days Of School Left Brown Bag Fundraising Miracle
Sweet Caroline on a Gondola – an unexpected Leadership lesson
I am on a Gondola full of people ready to descend. It is dark and we can see so many beautiful lights in the valley below. Unexpectedly, Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond starts to play, and everyone sings along … You never know when a Leadership lesson presents itself. My family was visiting Palm Springs and decided to … Continue reading Sweet Caroline on a Gondola – an unexpected Leadership lesson
May The 4th Be With You
Ugh!!! Covid drags on. In Calgary and most of Alberta we are back to online school the last two weeks with at least two more to go. My guess is students may be out the rest of the school year. Alberta has the highest Covid positivity rate in North America. Feels like there is no … Continue reading May The 4th Be With You
3 wins
In Covid times we are all looking for wins. I had three this last week.
Relentless – Stronger Than Resilient
April 30, 2020 1 month into Covid Emergency Online Education 7 AM – in my basement – ready to start my morning workout before heading to the computer Hating life and missing what we are no longer doing at school – Rockathon – Alberta Student Leadership Conference – Leadership Grad – being with my classes I push … Continue reading Relentless – Stronger Than Resilient
Pillow Balancing on Google Meet – School Culture Matters
My Leadership 10 class is finishing off our weekly Google Meet class. At this point we have been out of school for two months. At the end I give them what I call the five minute free for all. Everyone can unmute their microphones and say whatever they want. It can get a little chaotic but a … Continue reading Pillow Balancing on Google Meet – School Culture Matters
Find Your Tribe – helping students feel connected
Sept. 2019 -Arkan walked into his first day of classes in the Leadership room, put his arms in the air, and said "I'm home!" Jan. 2020 - Arkan comes into class, sees the "Oh the Places You'll Go!" books ready to be signed and says "Oh no, it means the end of Leadership is close." … Continue reading Find Your Tribe – helping students feel connected
Brent Dickson 