An Amazing Lollipop Moment

My Sr. Leadership students decided that they need some new Leadership swag, hoodies to be specific. The Grampster always reminds us to tell students "not my job, you figure it out". So I did. They started to work on a design for the new hoodies. They called me over to show me their design. It … Continue reading An Amazing Lollipop Moment

Filipino K-Popish music bringing students together

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)