KindSight 101

With the advent of more ethically-conscious curricula that challenge the outdated colonialist outlook on history, educators are more responsible than ever for carefully and accurately talking about cultures and ways of knowing that may not be personally familiar to us. In light of the Canadian government’s reconciliation efforts with indigenous people, the way we teach has to reflect a more culturally conscious approach.

"But, I’m not indigenous," many people say. "How do I teach about indigenous culture?"

In this conversation, you’ll learn specific lessons, books, and approaches to teaching indigenous ways of knowing in an authentic, integrated way. Hope you enjoy this short, illuminating mini-episode with my esteemed guest, Adrienne Gear. Be sure to check out her full-length treasure trove interviews (E #9 and #10).

Adrienne Gear has been a teacher in the Vancouver School district in Canada for over 18 years working as a classroom teacher, ESL teacher, teacher librarian and District Literacy Mentor. Adrienne developed Reading Power almost 10 years ago and has been since working with teachers in many districts throughout the province presenting workshops, giving demonstration lessons and facilitating Reading Power leadership teams. She has also presented workshops in the United States.

She is the author of six bestselling books including, Reading Power and Writing Power, and has just completed her sixth book Powerful Understanding : Helping Students Explore, Question, and Transform Their Thinking about Themselves, Others, and the World. Find her online on her website: readingpowergear.com or on social media by searching Adrienne Gear.

I love being able to host this podcast because of the wonderful people I get to speak to. Today, I am here with Elyse Cochrane who will be talking about the actionable ways that educators can foster a sense of innovation, critical thinking, purposeful contribution, and social connection through her specialized proven methods.

You’ll learn how to implement Contribution Fridays within your classroom practice, an easy weekly activity that encourages students to gain agency over their learning and impact on their communities.

With a passion and firm conviction in the power of social, emotional and cognitive learning, Elyse Cochrane is the Program Director for Dolphin Kids Achievement Programs headed up by Dr. Shimi Kang. She has a background in Educational Technology and Learning Design. Under her leadership, Dolphin Kids expanded into 12 schools in BC providing innovative and customized SEC services including: parenting seminars, in-class “field trips”, professional development workshops, after school programs, and summer camps.

She is also curriculum lead for DolphinPod India -- Asia’s first life skills center. Through online training and travelling to India, Elyse successfully bridged professional and cultural gap‘s to spread the message of social, emotional and cognitive learning across the world. She is excited about launching upcoming online SEC resources in the coming year.

For more information visit www.dophinpod.com , drshimikang.com www.dolphinkids.ca or my website smallactbigimpact.com and search for episode #34.

How does one make meaningful change? A lot of people believe in grand openings and grandiose efforts. I'd argue that the drip by drip approach is just as meaningful, if not more so.

Have you ever wondered how kind your school is? Well, today’s guest invented the research-backed metric that every school should employ to measure the kindness of their culture. In our conversation, we explore three different types of kindness and ways to empower our students to practice daily kindnesses. We also talk about the surprising relationship between resiliency and kindness. Enjoy the episode.

Dr. John Tyler Binfet is an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada. He focuses on two areas of research: Conceptualizations of Kindness in School; and 2) The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Students’ Well-Being.

His areas of expertise include: perceptions of school kindness; social and emotional learning; homesickness, stress reduction in university students, and animal-assisted therapy (particularly canine). He has also developed the unique B.A.R.K. dog therapy program.

For more information visit Dr. John-Tyler Binfet or bark.sites.olt.ubc.ca or my website smallactbigimpact.com and search for episode #33.

Who says you can’t teach inquiry in kindergarten?

Rebecca is a Kindergarten Teacher in the Greater Victoria School District, on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. She currently teaches French Immersion at George Jay Elementary School.

She is passionate about incorporating inquiry practices with her learners. Rebecca also strives to teach using BC's First Peoples Principles of Learning, technology and Reggio Emilia style practices.

Rebecca is the co-author of Inquiry Mindset with Trevor MacKenzie published in 2018.

For more information visit her website rebeccabathursthunt.com or find her on twitter @rbathurst on twitter or @inquiryteacher on Instagram or my website smallactbigimpact.com and search for episode #32.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can easily earn the respect and trust of parents in an authentic way that doesn’t compromise your integrity, my guest has some incredible insight to share with you today. In our conversation, we discuss the importance of building rapport, creating judgement-free zones for moms, encouraging parenting communities that favor teamwork and generosity over competition, and the significance of creating a safe space to navigate some of life’s controversial conversations.

My guest Shauna Stewart Douglas is the founder and CEO of Mommble, a safe, non-judgemental social community for moms and moms-to-be. They are dedicated to moms supporting each other in this epic and sometimes roller coaster-like journey called Motherhood. She also heads up a number of moms uniting moms groups on facebook and can be found on Instagram by searching mommble_moms .

https://www.mommble.com/

In case you want a bit of further info about Mommble (just for your reference): https://www.accelerateokanagan.com/community/blog/blog/vap-client-spotlight-shauna-stewart-douglas-mommble/

Have you ever pondered how to inspire your creative and entrepreneurial-minded students to take action and achieve their potential? My very special guest, an uber successful entrepreneur has a special message he wants all teachers to hear about what it takes to support our students in reaching for the stars. Sit up and listen to this one!

Today’s guest, Evan Carmichael is working to solve the world's biggest problem: Untapped human potential.

Evan Carmichael believes in entrepreneurs. At 19, he built then sold a biotech software company. At 22, he was a venture capitalist helping to raise $500,000 to $15 million.

He now runs EvanCarmichael.com, a popular website for entrepreneurs.

He has set two world records, uses a stand-up desk, rides a Vespa, raises funds for Kiva, wears five-toe shoes and created Entrepreneur trading cards. He speaks globally, but Toronto (#EntCity) is home. He loves being married, his son, salsa dancing, DJing, League of Legends and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Join him on his jouney by searching @ evancarmichael on social media or visiting his website evancarmichael.com #Believe For more information on his top ten videos which have earned him global acclaim and millions of views, visit my website smallactbigimpact.com and search for episode #30.

Have you ever wanted to learn the key to raising successful, independent, and happy children? The key is not shooting for obedience!

During this fascinating conversation, we explore how to side-step power struggles, how to explain anger to a child, how to stay calm when children are pushing us beyond our limit, and how to maintain age-appropriate expectations of our students.

We examine how to set boundaries within our brave new social media landscape and how to support children when they are demonstrating depressive or anxious symptoms.

Finally, we explore the two strategies all teachers should be implementing to develop psychological safety within their classrooms. Hope you enjoy!

Allison Rees has been teaching LIFE Seminars since 1991 with her main focus on parenting. Allison and her colleague Dr. Alison Miller have produced two books: Sidestepping the Power Struggle and The Parent Child Connection. Her history involves a 12 year radio show, weekly appearances on the news, a private practice working with families, training other professionals, writing articles and perhaps her greatest feat, raising two children who are now amazing young adults. You can find her online at lifeseminars.com. For more information visit my website smallactbigimpact.com and search for episode # 29.

Have you ever wanted to take a more active role in Canadian reconciliation efforts within your classroom, but felt like you weren’t sure how to do so? In this episode, you’ll learn about the I Love First People’s Shoebox gift project, the easy way your class can become involved, and hear about how this program is has been recognized as a meaningful bridge between Indigenous and non-indigenous groups wishing to move forward and rethink a more equitable, culturally sensitive, and informed future for our country. I hope you become inspired to join this wonderful cause!

Josée is the founder of I Love First Peoples, a national charity that empowers Indigenous youth through education and projects that foster reconciliation. She is also the director of the Ideal Way Association, a charity that helps single-parent families to come out of poverty through long-term coaching. Josée brings over 20 years of experience in communications and event management to her work in assisting charities to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged.

Connect with her charity on facebook @I Love First Peoples, and our Twitter is @iloveatt1. You can also find out more about the shoebox project on their website ilovefirstpeoples.ca

For more information visit my website smallactbigimpact.com and search for episode #28.

Today’s incredible guest talks about the inspiring journey he took to overcome the financial and structural constraints within his low-income, underserved school in the Bronx. His story of passion, determination, and change-making is an inspiration for any teacher wishing to disrupt the status quo and improve upon a broken system. Buckle up for a motivating ride!

Charles Best leads DonorsChoose.org, a nonprofit website which enables anyone to help a classroom in need. Charles launched the organization in 2000 at a Bronx public high school where he taught history for five years.

To date, teachers at more than 70% of all the public schools in America have created classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org, and more than 2 million people have given to those projects. DonorsChoose.org is one of Oprah Winfrey's "ultimate favorite things" and made the cover of Fast Company as one of the "50 Most Innovative Companies in the World," the first time a charity has received such recognition.