Welcome to my final blog post of 2013 – My “Top 3″ lists for the year. This has become a tradition with previous Top 3 lists for 2012 (here), 2011 (here) and 2010 (here). I know we are abandoning ranking and sorting in our education system, so this is more about highlighting some of the blogs, videos and ideas that have engaged me over the last 12 months. As always with these kind of lists hopefully it will start some discussion and debate as well.
Top 3 “Culture of Yes” Blog Posts which have Generated the most Traffic this Year:
2. Dr. Shanker and Self-Regulation – Continuing the Conversation
3. Hopes and Dreams for my Kids’ Schooling
Top 3 Used (and often overused) Quotes in Education for the Year (some are past winners):
1. We need to focus on the learning
2. It’s not about the technology
3. The 21st Century is more than 10% over (YES – people are STILL using versions of this one!)
Top 3 Growing Trends I See Continuing in the Next Year:
1. Embedding Aboriginal teachings across the curriculum — BC’s new draft curriculum is a great example
2. Devices becoming invisible — more and more kids have devices, and I am noticing them less and less
3. Rethinking of report cards — we are in the midst of a dramatic shift in reporting
Top 3 Books I have Read this Year that have Influenced My Thinking:
1. Spirals of Inquiry by Linda Kaiser and Judy Halbert
2. Calm, Alert, and Learning – Stuart Shanker
3. Communicating the New – Kim Erwin
Top 3 Professional Development Events I have Attended:
1. TEDxWestVancouverED — it has been so great to have a TEDx event in our community with so many of our staff and students involved
2. Connect 2013 — a wonderful chance to see so many Canadians present who I have met over time through Twitter and our blogs
3. Barbara Coloroso — the Guru of parent education was hosted by our District Parent Advisory Council
Top 3 BC Superintendent Blogs You Should Follow:
1. Jordan Tinney — Surrey
2. Steve Cardwell –Vancouver
3. Kevin Godden — Abbotsford
Top 3 Non-education New Twitter Follows:
1. Roberto Luongo (Canucks)
2. Gerry Dee (from Mr. D)
3. Mr. T (of pity the fool fame)
Top 3 Jurisdictions We Are Going to Turn Into the Next Finland:
1. British Columbia — high achievement, high diversity, high equity – lots to interest people
2. Quebec — Just what are they doing different than the rest of Canada in math?
3. Shanghai, China — We are concerned about their methods but their results are stunning
Top 3 TEDx Videos from WestVancouverED (that I bet you haven’t seen):
I earlier wrote a post here that highlighted some of my West Vancouver colleagues, so these are some of my favourite from the non-West Vancouver staff
1. Katy Hutchinson — an extremely powerful personal story of restorative justice
2. David Helfand — a new approach to university leadership
3. Dean Shareski — he has a wonderful perspective and a great way to connect with people
Top 3 Fun and Interesting Educational Videos:
1. What Came First — the chicken or the egg?
2. Canada and the United States — Bizarre Borders
3. What Does Your Body Do in 30 Seconds?
Thanks to everyone who continues to engage with me on my blog and push my learning. Some of my greatest professional joy is writing, reading, engaging and learning through my blog and with all of you. I look forward to continuing to grow and learn together in 2014.
Chris Kennedy
cultureofyes.ca 