Starting With Strengths: The Stories We Build Educational Spring Fling BCTF North Central Annual Conference April 4, 2014 Chris Wejr www.chriswejr.com @chriswejr

Who IS this guy?

"I come to you humbly not to tell you what to do on your journey but to share with you what I have learned on mine Wab Kinew cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Thompson Rivers University: http://flickr.com/photos/thompsonrivers/8518479289/

What Matters

What is YOUR story?

Stories about ourselves Video: http://vimeo.com/66058153

We teach who we are. Parker Palmer

Our stories shape who we are

Stories Strengths Interests Confidence Engagement

We dont know who we can be until we know what we can do -- Sir Ken Robinson

BCs Education Plan

The Stories of our Students

The Story of Amy CC Image from Don Kennedy https://flic.kr/p/bn4FAs

Is our students work both a reflection of who THEY are and what WE want them to do? CCimagefromBradFlickingerhttps://flic.kr/p/b9wDhg

Exploring who they are creating their stories CC Image by Wonderlane https://flic.kr/p/cDeCGs

Agassiz Centre for Educatio n New Stories From Vancouver Sun

Blog: http://bit.ly/NrekwQ

STRENGTHS d e f i c i t s

CC Image: http://flic.kr/p/bhvabR Each child has a gift... We need to see and nurture these gifts so they emerge and flourish throughout an individuals life -- Lorna Williams

Our students strengths are not carrots to be dangled to get them to comply they are valuable resources to be tapped and embedded in their learning. CC Image from ChrisCook04 https://flic.kr/p/87cZ6L

What we see Depends on what we look CCImagebyRyanHaddadhttps://flic.kr/p/inZ5S

The power of a student- designed curriculum Lifestyles PE cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Boston Public Library: http://flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/6198183420/

Changing the stories http://youtu.be/mBZAFJ-Q6Mw

Winnersand Losers? Rethink how we honour cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by lee: http://flickr.com/photos/leecullivan/3948336553/

CONFIDENCE

To shift a cycle from decline to success, leaders must restore peoples confidence --Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Back up to where they are and get em on a winning streak Tom Schimmer CC Image by US Army Garrison Red Cloud https://flic.kr/p/jfcWi4

CC Image by Paul Tomlin : http://flic.kr/p/bhvabR Make it worth the effort.

Got grit? CC Image from az https://flic.kr/p/87VgbN Resiliency craves confidence

Created by Krissy Venosdale

Change the streak. Change the story. CC Image by Ladyvee9 https://flic.kr/p/8dwV21

ENGAGEMENT changing the stories

We cannot motivate others we can only work to create the conditions for people to motivate themselves. -- Image: http://flic.kr/p/8zWLAj

Students do not want learning made easy, they want it to mean something. They want to feel something, to be moved by what they learn. They want to connect deeply with things that matter and they want the chance to make a difference. Canadian Education Association

Student Voice More interactivity More choice and flexibility More relevance Care Passion Via ThoughtStream

classes with students in them or teaching students that are in our classes? CC Image by Cybrarian77 https://flic.kr/p/azj5bZ

Exploring Interests Through CHOICES

Innovation Day Photo from Josh Stumpenhorst

Inquiry "When there is space for kids to create, connect, explore - magic happens Neil Stephenson CC Image by Linus Bohman https://flic.kr/p/grtNE

Wonder Wall via Kathy Rice

Project-Based Learning CC Image by Judy Baxter https://flic.kr/p/dGFj5

Passion Projects @_MrsBarb

Be More Random Video from Naryn Searcy http://bit.ly/1hUGOJG

CHANGE

Reflect. Tap into your strengths. Tap into our students strengths. Start change with one thing Now. cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Rita M.: http://flickr.com/photos/fotorita/2031523502/

Try something new. Take a risk. Do it. http://youtu.be/ZV_DKgb264E

cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Andrea Hernandez: http://flickr.com/photos/21847073@N05/5723911023/

The Strength of Dom

Create the conditions. Be designers of learning. Neil Stephenson CC Image by Frank Wuestefeld https://flic.kr/p/7yvVKy

Thank you!

Connect With Me www.chriswejr.com About.me/ChrisWejr @chriswejr chriswejr@gmail.com Facebook.com/chriswejr