I am a son to and a teacher of people who have sought and continue to seek meaning in the wider world, which I suppose includes me, I firmly believe diversity and inclusion are not only critical, but foundational to successful community.
I’m highly practical and have a low tolerance for inefficiency, lack of purpose, or duplication of action. In life, organizational, and learning management, I believe in optimizing effort to allow for the highest possible yields in all of my endeavors. I believe in the long game. Desired goals sometimes must rest at the end of different but interconnected activities. I suppose my skill in this is my tendency to map what may lie ahead.
I am mechanically, technically, and creatively very adept. I understand the value of good design, user experience, systems and systemization, determining strengths, weaknesses, and capacities, and finding appropriate balance & fit for all according to need & purpose. The COVID Pandemic has been especially impactful for everyone, everywhere. It has required us to sacrifice a lot. But it has also challenged us to become better. My own experience throughout this period has been challenging, but ultimately rewarding. I lost a private business, and was challenged to lead people I had never met before through a time that was equally challenging for them.
My experiences through this period of time allowed me to validate skills I believed I possessed, bring to the surface those I was unaware I possessed, and acquire some that I have become a part of who I am as a result. I believe I am stronger both personally and professionally as a consequence. I believe I am a better leader. And because of the demands COVID placed on my profession, I have honed my abilities, in particular, to use technology at all levels as a tool to facilitate learning.
Thoughts on Education
I believe those moments of greatest positive impact in learning are also those that are inherently more risky. My tendency is to find ways through uncertainty along avenues that reach towards goals that will raise the bar of accomplishment for everyone. I have always sought challenge that helps define and advance purpose, that increases the achievements of community, and that strengthens the resolve and capacity of the individuals within communities. At the same time, I believe contingencies, scaffolds, and alternative plans are essential parts of this process. So too is the determination of when and how to act. For me, this ability to know when and how to face and challenge the unknown rests at the core of our responsibilities as international educators.
I strongly believe in Inquiry-based learning in all of its approaches and forms. It’s the way I grew up and it’s the way I have proceeded throughout my professional life. I have planned and engaged in this kind of learning activity throughout my career, and of late I have written on it to some depth. If you’re still curious after reading this, you’ll find much of it in this blog.
I have spent my entire career working with individuals from around the world and at every level to create learning opportunities that reach far beyond classrooms. I strongly believe that collaborative approaches and partnerships at every level (local, regional, international) are key to opening doors to unlimited possibilities for action, achievement, and the growth of confidence, pride, and identity in community.
Thoughts on Leadership
I bring a firm yet informed, fair, equitable, & open approach to school leadership. While it may not always be possible, I believe decision-making for whatever reason is best achieved as a collaborative exercise that requires immediacy. Informed process and respect, fore-fronting the needs of community, and holding above all the mission of the school.
I have an engaged, involved, and proactive leadership style with what I believe a strong sense of responsibility, dedication, empathy, and resilience. I take pride in my ability to look ahead at possible outcomes then to back-step to formulate strategy before acting. I am proud of my approach and success in managing action towards objectives and goals, in the widest sense.
And In Case You’re Interested…
I enjoy philosophy, politics, current affairs, art, history, science, technology, & writing, some of which (I’m happy to say) has been published. While the Muse who continues to inspire me passed away recently, I have for 15 years been an avid dog walker; and while Choco will always hold an irrevocable part of my heart, I may well walk a dog again. I once designed and built a 7 meter ocean touring kayak. I used it for almost a decade. I have a Ducati, a Diavel, the 3rd bike of my existence. I learned to ride in the backcountry of the Thompson-Nicola District of British Columbia, Canada. Pretty wild there. I am indeed a motorcycle touring aficionado, and I have now travelled to most parts of the main Island of Japan, and briefly to Shikoku. I plan on doing much more of that. One day I might also write about the dustup I had with a porcupine during one of my summers tree planting at a location in the north of BC approximately 800 km from the nearest community.
I have been an avid mountaineer & outdoorsman since my father first dragged me fairly unwillingly up hills around parts of British Columbia in my childhood. By the time I was in my early teens, I was hooked. I have had the fortune to climb in some of the world’s most iconic ranges, including the European Alps, the Japanese Alps, the Canadian Coast and Rocky Ranges, as well as a few of North America’s highest volcanic peaks. I love DIY, including a full interior and exterior remodeling of a Vancouver heritage home. And besides all of that, I love art, music, film, entertainment, literature, and good food & vintages, and finding occasions to celebrate things that deserve it!
Thanks for visiting my Blog! I hope you find something that piques your interest!