At the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS), we recently completed a pretty big undertaking: interviewing almost all of the school authorities in Alberta to better understand their wellness activities and approaches. Fresh off the press, we just released a full report based on these interviews, most of which were conducted by our Directors of Leadership Learning – Wellness (a pair that…»
This has been one memorable spring. Who would have thought we’d be making the kind of history we have been by experiencing a global pandemic? I, for one, am looking forward to social distancing, toilet paper shortages and “speaking moistly” all becoming a chapter in a history book instead of our current reality. Part of that history-making is how many of us have moved our work into our homes…»
Since mid-March, we’ve experienced some pretty significant changes to our social and physical work environments. While many teachers and staff are now supporting student learning from home, we know there are plenty of others—from teachers and school administrators to maintenance staff—leading the way from school sites and buildings that are mostly empty. There’s no doubt that these changes…»
Part of achieving a healthy, functional and meaningful life is working to nourish your mind. Intellectual wellness is our ability to open up to new experiences, practice critical thinking and learn new skills. Our intellectual wellness is driven by our curiosity, which motivates us to experience new things and better understand ourselves, others and the world around us. Think of intellectual wellness…»
Taking care of children while working during COVID-19 It is easy to feel overwhelmed by what is happening in the world right now. Our daily lives have been turned upside down, we are missing our friends, families, and coworkers as we continue to self-isolate. Living in close quarters with our immediate family twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week is bound to give anyone a bit of cabin fever.…»
With many of us now working from home, I think it’s safe to say that some of us may be struggling to adapt to this new normal. While introverts may be rejoicing at the opportunity to retreat to their home offices, that may not be the case for everyone. During this time of social distancing, you might find yourself asking: how can we stay connected with others and remain effective in our roles when…»
How to create balance when working in times of physical distancing. Feeling like your world has been turned upside down? What do you do when you feel like you have been overstocked with baskets upon baskets of, not toilet paper, but lemons? Well…you make lemonade of course, or perhaps lemon cake, or lemon pie! With the recent challenge of social distancing, we must find a new way to embrace how…»
If we could look into a crystal ball and see our future, we would most likely wake up each day feeling confident because we know what to expect each day. How great would that be? However, we can only make predictions and educated guesses, plan accordingly, and react. Because we are all so unique, some of us are better equipped to handle uncertainty, while some of us may need more support, and that…»
WE SAY IT EVERY YEAR, BUT THIS MAY VERY WELL HAVE BEEN THE BEST SHAPING THE FUTURE YET. All-day Wednesday and on Thursday morning, the most eager delegates attended pre-conference sessions. Some became certified Field Leaders with the Outdoor Council of Canada. Some learned inclusive teaching practices. Some contributed to re-defining recess to suit modern education and the needs of all students.…»
For many people, New Year’s resolutions are an annual tradition. After holiday celebrations and some much-needed down time, many of us turn to the new year as an opening for growth and self-improvement. Usually, we know the areas where change is needed, but sometimes asking hard questions helps us identify those areas we just can’t see. And while we all know that setting goals for personal wellness…»
