Generally, this is what I said at the Ignite

1. 1. Title.
• I do need to say that the goal for me is not to offend anyone. These are just my
thoughts. And if i do that. free to check Instagram or Twitter over the next 5
minutes if you haven't already started. and then let's pretend this never happened.

2. • 2. What's changed? We talk lots about change.
But. What has really changed? Pockets of great
change. Most people in this room are driving that
change. But. Big picture. I wonder how much has
really changed in schools. In my 19 years as a
teacher. I have seen lots of different initiatives that
were supposed to be the thing that changed
schools.

3. • 3. As you know. There are Lots of buzz words in
education. I'm not saying any of these are bad. All
have merit. And I use most of them in one way or
another. . I think these ideas are relied on a bit too
much at times. They aren't a recipe book to
success. Whatever you define success to be.
However... I do call BS to some of them

4. • 4. This is one of those terms I call bs too. To me this
implies that's with some people who are still alive
their learning stops. Also brings me back when to a
time when I helped create a classroom called 'The
Learning Centre'. Then I thought to myself, what is
happening in the other rooms? Kind of the point of
it all, don't you think?

5. • 5. If your breathing. You are generally learning I
think. There are things that generally we agree
people should learn. But what people learn are
based on the relationships that are created. Doing
this ignite really made me think of my experience in
school. And who taught me. And what was I like as
a kid.

6. • 6. This is a pic of me in my grade 9 yearbook. I
think it was a forgone conclusion what I'd be doing
for my career. For sure I had way more control back
then. Because I don't know how much of it I have
now and I don't necessarily want it. But I do want to
make sure the people in my school build good
relationships.

7. • 7. I was extremely lucky to have some
unbelievable mentors, friends, teachers as I grew
up. I wanted to be like them. So I chose to teach.
These are some of the ones that taught me the
most. They had the most impact on me when I was
a kid. They built such a strong relationship with me
that learning was easy. Even for me

8. • 8. I've been lucky to be in a wide range of schools
over my career. Teaching and coaching at my
former high school. And then working with my
former teachers and friends as a vp at Westwood
and sturgeon . . The last 2 schools I've got the
chance work in a school where I never know what
will come in the next day. And I love it.

9. • 9. Saying that. My best and most important
learning has been most recent. I've Learned more
in the past 3 years about how I do my job and
about myself.. I have to give credit to Erin and now
bennett. And Now because Bennett is a huge part
of my life I really think about what is school going to
be like for him?

10. • 10. I am so curious about what schools will be like
over the next 18 years. What is going to change?
Is it going to?. Because of that It's really making
take stock what Kind of school I am helping to
create. How can I ensure he has the same
experiences as me. How is his experience going to
impact me as a teacher?

11. • 11. I want schools to teach stuff like how to be a
good person. A parent. Also I want kids to be able
to read and write and communicate. To do this I
put a fair amount of effort into creating a school
culture that takes care of the kid first. To ensure
that we are helping give opportunities to students
and staff to become better people with strong
character.

12. • 12. So I do things like Character Day as a school
wide thing (just this last Friday). And yes. All I
wanted to do is wear a costume. But this was about
elements that a person unique. It creates some
great conversations and it's so neat to hear kids
talk about this stuff. To me. This is the real stuff of a
school.

13. • 13. The importance of these things is evident
when we see what's going on in the world today.
There is so much disfunction in so many families
and parts of the world. And we need more than
just good students and we need to change the
definition of success. Human skills and social
skills are just as, if not more important, than test
scores.

14. • 14. I am certainly not perfect. In any way. So I
showed my students and staff this slide. These are
the things For the moment. I need to work on. I
wanted to show everyone in my school that I know
I need to improve in these areas. And it's not lost
on me that I need to work on humility. And all I've
done is talk about myself so far... I have some work
to do.

15. • 15. 1 step forward. 2 steps back. When I think I've
improved in one area. Something smacks me
upside the head and says hey Andy look over
here... Then I start again. I think it's important for
kids to see that and to know that I'm still trying to
figure things out

16. • 16. And Despite being 'busy' I get 2 hours a day
completely to myself. My drive to work and back is
where I really spend the most my time learning and
thinking. Reflecting. And I think about the good
things. I get ideas. I think about my mistakes. What
do I need to do to be better?

17. • 17. I want the school I get to work at to be able to.
build relationships with the every kid. Schools can
be magical places if everyone feels they fit. . . And
teach the things that builds strong people with all
the school skills. And social skills. Kids are going to
learn. We just need to make sure they are learning
to make the and their world a bit better everyday

18. • . 18. And this takes me to Bennett. Because in a
few years. He's coming. He'll be in the system. And
it's a bit daunting to think about. He's lucky. He will
more than likely be school ready. See what I did
there? His mom is very smart. Watching him grow
over the last 11 months is amazing. I'm sure you
can all relate to this.

19. • 19. Watching a little puddle of mush turn into
something. It's amazing watching Erin teach him
and his reactions. Their relationship is incredible. It
makes me think What's it going to be like when he
goes to school? What relationships will he form?
Who are going to be his teachers? His friends.
What kind of things are they going to teach him? I'd
be a liar if I didn't say this scares the crap out of
me

20. • 20. I am so intrigued to see what happens. To see
who Bennett becomes. I think we know what he'll
looks like. Poor kid. I'm excited To see what
happens at school for him though What words will
be buzzing around him as he makes his way
through? Would I be ok with me being Bennett's
principal?

21. • 21. So when asked what am I curious about? I think
How is it going to change over the next 18 years?
As I watch Bennett go through school. How are
schools going to change? Are they ever going to
really change? Who are we going to be listening
to? Who's going to be right? How am I going to
change? What am I going to learn? Over the next
18 years...
• What's it all gonna be like?