Small Fires

Andrea McComb is the Principal of Learning Services for the Coquitlam School District here in British Columbia as well as an Adaptive Schools Agency Trainer with Thinking Collaborative. In this interview, Andrea shares what gives her joy in her life, what brought her to pursuing the Adaptive Schools work and what influences she is noticing in her leadership with others as she engages in the work.

In the introduction, Lucinda mentions the work of Lisa Kirk, an artist in the Comox Valley, who facilitates Pure Process Art sessions as a way to engage in the deeper meaning of our lives, through painting. Both Andrea and Lucinda have participated in these sessions and benefitted from them which is why Lisa's classes come up in this episode.

If you are interested in knowing more about Lisa Kirk's art sessions, please visit https://lisakirk.ca/page/pure_process_art_classes

Thank you for listening.

Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser are beloved educational leaders here in British Columbia, the Yukon and beyond. Their work promoting the spiral of inquiry, to guide collaborative work amongst educators, continues to be relevant to improve the learning for all students. In this interview, they share their journey from earlier beginnings, with the Network of Performance Based Schools, to the present with the Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education. They share their highlights, challenges and on-going hope for the future. Such an honour to interview these inspirational leaders!

For further information on the Network, here is the link to the website: https://noiie.ca

Paula Gosal is the Principal of Chilliwack Middle School in British Columbia. As a busy and experienced administrator, with a full life outside of school, she talks about what is important to her as she navigates her different life roles. An area of interest for Paula is how to support women leaders and provide safe contexts for them to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Currently Paula is enrolled in a doctoral program through Kansas University in Educational Leadership and Policy.

In the interview introduction, Lucinda refers to a "Women In Leadership Conversation" that was recently recorded to share with others on the topic of women's leadership experiences. Here is the link, if you are interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jc1RcjHlU

Doreen Miori-Merola is the Co-Director of Thinking Collaborative. Doreen talks about her journey in educational leadership and how the work of Cognitive Coaching and Adaptive Schools helped her develop skills in mediating others' thinking. Doreen highlights the importance of being able to engage in cognitive conflict, and how diverse perspectives are a positive aspect of effective collaborative groups. She also articulates the importance of using the Adaptive Schools strategies and processes in online meetings. Certainly relevant to our current Covid-19 reality.

Carol Brooks Simoneau is the Co-Director of Thinking Collaborative. In this interview, Carol shares her journey as an educational leader, which began as a reading specialist. What clearly comes through is Carol's thoughtful identity, in connection with her beliefs and values, that informs her leadership choices.

Lucinda shares her reflections during three weeks of quarantine. The book, "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters," provided an opportunity for reflection, alongside her experience of being stuck in her room alone. She realizes she was hiding aspects of herself away, in pursuit of a more cookie cutter leadership approach and recommits to being true to her authenticity.

Lucinda interviews Bruce Wellman, co-developer of Adaptive Schools, as he shares his career journey. He also relays significant insights about group dynamics, leadership and listening skills that certainly makes this interview compelling for all educators.

Lucinda shares a short interview with her dad, Syrt Wolters, from 25 years ago. A representative from the Shoah Foundation interviewed him to hear about how he, alongside his first wife, Gien, hid a Jewish family of four for over two years in their home during the Second World War. Lucinda makes connections to current educational work in British Columbia to develop empathy and understanding of Indigenous cultures.

Bob Garmston, is co-developer of Adaptive Schools with Bruce Wellman. In this interview, he shares some of his highlights and challenges of his career journey. His life is certainly a story of resiliency and positive contribution.

In this episode, Lucinda shares her reactions after attending the Adaptive Schools Foundation Seminar and the realization that in order to develop her skills, she would need to consistently be intentional in order to improve.