Amy and I have a terrible work-life balance. We are both working nearly full-time right now, and that leaves little margin for the “extras.” What Now?! A few weeks ago, feeling the load from a busy week, and Amy swamped with all her responsibilities, we both found ourselves at the front reception at the same [...]
As my kids get older, I’m constantly finding ways to be relevant for them. I’ve even gone so far as to adopt some of their language. Have you come across any of these? “Hey, Caleb that’s fire!” “Jude, that’s drip!” “Wow, boys, that’s W!” “You’re alpha.” “That’s cap, you’re capping.” “That’s skibity sigma” (yes, that’s a [...]
I’m not a big fan of new year resolutions. It could be that I have a terrible track record keeping them. But this year I decided that I need to take better care of my health. I’m a terrible binge-eater. I don’t bring a lunch (there’s rarely a break long enough to enjoy it anyway), [...]
You are so weird! Usually, this would sound like an insult to any middle school student. The comment seems to target a student’s self-esteem, their sense of belonging, and tells them they don’t fit in. What would happen if students found a way to see this comment as a compliment—a statement that affirms the reality [...]
Amy and I have four boys. Our home is filled with rough-housing, noise, smell, and a ton of food. Our boys are extremely active. They all play sports. We shuttle them back-and-forth from sports, swimming, and playdates. Yet somehow, when they return home, they still have energy to burn. We encourage (hear “tell”) them to [...]
As if this first year of “principaling” wasn’t enough, I went with two of our grade 8 classes on their SALTS trip last week. Every year, our grade 8 students spend a week on a tall ship through SALTS (Sailing and Life Training Society). What an adventure! Orcas off the stern, rope swings and swimming [...]
I first met Carrie Lockwood when I was a student teacher at Fraser Valley Christian High School (now Surrey Christian School). She was teaching grade 8 and I was invited on the grade 8 trip to Camp Kawkawa. She left a lasting first impression on me. She was one of those teachers who loves building [...]
This year I am asking God for joy. Joy in the mundane. Joy in the small things. Joy in my work. Joy in my family. Just a simple, awestruck joy for life’s subtleties. Wild Joy You are allowed to love tiny, daily, ordinary moments in your life. You’re allowed to feel wild joy [...]
I’m often accused of overusing the word “opportunity.” Every challenge, problem, or complication can just as easily be an “opportunity.” You can see the eyerolls from staff, students, and even my wife when I correct people when they use the word problem. It’s an “opportunity,” I say! It’s as much self-talk as it is a [...]
You walk through the middle school hallways and hear a “thump, thump, thump.” As you turn the corner towards the grade 5 wing, the sound starts to crescendo. You begin to follow this strange noise. Thump, clack, thumpity thump. “Where is this sound coming from?” you wonder. Is it a jack hammer? No, too rhythmic. Is [...]
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