Last week I shared out the advertising for the ManACE Ed Tech Talk event. It turns out that the arrival of Manitoba winter was the perfect factor for our event as we had a great turn-out this evening (where else could they go!?). This informal professional development session saw participation from across the province including classroom teachers, coaches, and consultants! The results of the conversation have been summarized and can be reviewed as a series of infographics (use the arrows on the side of the image to progress through our focus questions): A HUGE thank-you goes out to everyone who… Read More
High Impact Leadership
Today our admin council, which consists of MVSD senior administration, school principals, and divisional coordinators, met face-to-face for the 3rd time since early 2020. This meeting not only addressed our regular admin council agenda but also allowed us an opportunity to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Treaty 2 and build in leadership development. As part of our PD we were presented with an article from John Hattie and had an opportunity to meet and discuss with our colleagues. The following are my own notes for reflection. Hattie, John. (2015). High-impact leadership. Improving Schools: What Works? 72.5, pp. 36-40. Transformational or… Read More
Ed Tech Talk with ManACE
Next week the Manitoba Association for Computing Educators (ManACE) will be hosting a virtual event: Ed Tech Talk. This informal professional development session is being organized as a facilitated conversation inviting educators, and educational stakeholders, to share their thoughts on educational technology. The event will take place via Google Meet and was specifically chosen for the evening prior to Remembrance Day so that educators may feel that they are more readily available to participate. To sign up for the November 10th event, check out the ManACE Eventbrite event page. Will you be in attendance? Let me know in the comments… Read More
PD on the Potty
Near the end of 2019 I implemented the idea of PD on the Potty following a podcast from Kasey Bell. This alternative method of professional development sees the inclusion of fliers placed in staff washroom facilities. Depending on the month these may include: divisional tech reminders upcoming PD opportunities tips & tricks program reviews social media recommendations and more! Not only do these fliers allow you to have a captive audience but they can provide a bridge for staff members who have technology as a barrier in their practice [for these individuals, emails, social media posts, digital resources, etc are… Read More
Digital Literacy Skills of Educators
*This post has been written as part of my journey as a Ph.D student through University of Regina
October ICT Newsletter
September has FLOWN by and we are now into my favourite month of the year, October! With the start of a new month comes a new monthly ICT newsletter. These newsletters are designed to serve as an outreach to all MVSD staff and provide: general ICT updates (software changes, divisional ICT timelines, tech-themed holidays) upcoming PD for the month tech tips divisional highlights These newsletters are sent out to staff via our divisional email but are also shared out through our social media pages and divisional website.
WOW Wednesday – Dimitrius Sagriotis
Every Wednesday I highlight some of our amazing MVSD staff on our social media pages. Everyday our staff are using tech in new and exciting ways, are learning new skills, and are sharing ways in which ed tech is assisting them in their practice. Dimitrius and I joined MVSD together in 2019 and since our first meeting at divisional mentorship he has proven to be a life-long learner. At almost every school visit I attend Dimitrius has been quick to sign-up for a quick question or longer PD session to help refine his practice. A self-declared “tech illiterate”, he is always… Read More
The New Normal
Every Monday I share a different ed tech quote on our Thompson Classroom social media pages for our staff to consider. This week’s Mantra is: As we enter our 3rd school year in the presence of a global pandemic our “new normal” has been established. How are you using tech differently compared to 2019? I purposefully selected this quotation to not only encourage reflection on the role that technology plays in your classroom but also because it aligns with the wording of a fantastic Manitoba PD that is taking place this week! The New Normal School is a half-day virtual event on… Read More
September ICT Newsletter
September is here and this week will see all of our divisional students and staff back in our buildings. With the start of a new month comes a new monthly ICT newsletter. These newsletters are designed to serve as an outreach to all MVSD staff and provide: general ICT updates (software changes, divisional ICT timelines, tech-themed holidays) upcoming PD for the month tech tips divisional highlights These newsletters are sent out to staff via our divisional email but are also shared out through our social media pages and divisional website. September 2021 ICT Newsletter by Kirsten Cali
Starting My Ph.D Journey!
In February of this year I hesitantly shared out my personal statement as part of my application to the University of Regina. After graduating with my M.Ed in the spring of 2018 I was sitting on my largest absence from formal education and I knew that I needed a change. Prior to this jump I had explored the idea of pursuing a second M.Ed as the requirement for first year residency for a Ph.D seemed unattainable for me due to the age of my children and our proximity to institutions. However, the Covid-19 pandemic had resulted in online classes which… Read More