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

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

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! 

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