Keynote presentation given at the Spring Fling British Columbia Teachers Federation North-Central Zone Conference in Prince George, BC. Stories shape who we are. How a focus on strengths and confidence along with conditions for engagement can change the stories of our students. (note the title slide photo is from Ben Ishaque https://flic.kr/p/7tDusL)
Starting With Strengths: The Stories We Build #edfling
1. Starting With Strengths:
The Stories We Build
Educational Spring Fling
BCTF North Central Annual Conference
April 4, 2014
Chris Wejr
www.chriswejr.com
@chriswejr
3. "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/
21. 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
individual’s life
-- Lorna Williams
22. 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
24. 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/
35. “We cannot motivate others…
we can only work to
create the conditions for people
to motivate themselves.”
--
Image: http://flic.kr/p/8zWLAj
36. 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
37. Student Voice
• More interactivity
• More choice and flexibility
• More relevance
• Care
• Passion
Via ThoughtStream
38. classes with
students in
them… or
teaching
students that
are in our
classes?
CC Image by Cybrarian77 https://flic.kr/p/azj5bZ
41. 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
47. 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/