Reflections:
New Professional Learning:
FNESC Summer Institute- provoked our thinking and renewed our passion for the topic
FNESC/FNSA Science First Peoples 5-9 TRG Pilot & Feedback Workshop
Jo-Anne Chrona – following her on twitter and blog on Principles of Learning
Conversations with Lynne Tomlinson – storytelling (highlighted Dr. Jo-Anne Archibald's work)
Conversations with Brad Baker, North Vancouver School District – encouragement, creating connections
Squamish Language workshop with Rebecca Duncan, Squamish Nation Education Team
JE and LA went to UBC Farm – on Spring Break – to assist in the Indigenous Garden, create connections
IB PYP Indigenous Ways of Knowing Workshop- Portland, Oregon
Taking Action:
Our focus began with looking to educate our staff through professional development. In the hopes that this would trickle down to the students.
- Basics, respect and resources available (September 2015)
- Aboriginal Education in the PYP (March 2016)- facilitating Ab Ed workshop to fit the IB PYP model with lower mainland IB teachers
- Principles of Learning (April 2016) - exploration, connection and reflection * Posters made for learning spaces
- Book Clubs – powerful way to educate the staff and have them find deeper personal meaning with the topic
- Language Club – workshop with Rebecca Duncan for staff – purchased Squamish Dictionary for school
- Squamish Language Club: 4 sessions with Rebecca Duncan – hugely popular! We had to draw names to ensure there were less than 30 kids. Powerful experience to learn
- Bob Baker: many visits over the year. Teachers are keen to get the experts in! Storytelling, song, dance, climate change, etc.
- Faye Halls – spoke with grade 4s about Squamish culture and the impact of residential schools – powerful!
- Candice Halls – worked with our Ks on importance of plants and animals
- Jenna Rudolph – worked with grade 3s identifying indigenous plants
- Maria Morellato (lawyer) – spoke with grade 4 and 7 students about Aboriginal Law and the importance of reconciliation
- Including Squamish language on our morning announcements – students in language club wanted to take action and share!
Checking:
We were not successful with creating an indigenous garden. This was part of our original plan. It was tricky to connect with experts for advice. In reflection, taking more risks and buying books would be great. This needs someone who is a green thumb to take on.
Our student and staff reflections tell us we are on the right track. We have felt really successful and can see change happening. Students are respectful, eager to learn and are passionate about celebrating Aboriginal cultures. Staff is making connections to the material and networking amongst each other for more information.
Our book clubs were a terrific way to get teachers/staff talking!
It is still a journey… we need to continue and go forward with courage!
Where Do We Go From Here?
- We offer Pro-D Sessions (District, Cross-district, IB PYP)
- Continue to harness the potential of our school's Ab Ed Committee for the upcoming school year
- Collaborate with High Schools (gardens, wood working, Principles of Learning, etc)
- Continue to share at Staff Meetings and at Pro-D sessions (part of school culture- built into staff meetings, teacher self reflections, weaving principles and ab ed into new curriculum and IB Program of Inquiry)
- Label and learn the local knowledge about our school's Indigenous Garden and environmental surroundings
- Work with other educators around the district: build our resources and local knowledge
- Potentially work on another innovation grant with other passionate educators around the district and continue our work with the North Vancouver school district Ab Ed team (build local knowledge)