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How we brought humanity and nature to my classroom | Adam Robb | TEDxCalgary


[Music]

[Music] I was gonna be a different teacher I was

I was gonna be a different teacher I was

I was gonna be a different teacher I was not a good high school student for the

not a good high school student for the

not a good high school student for the most part so I was gonna channel my

most part so I was gonna channel my

most part so I was gonna channel my frustrations with how useless much of it

frustrations with how useless much of it

frustrations with how useless much of it felt into engaging and necessary

felt into engaging and necessary

felt into engaging and necessary learning for my students I was conscious

learning for my students I was conscious

learning for my students I was conscious at that age that my energy was being

at that age that my energy was being

at that age that my energy was being wasted I don’t think this was common for

wasted I don’t think this was common for

wasted I don’t think this was common for high school students back then our

high school students back then our

high school students back then our anytime but you’ll have to ask yourself

anytime but you’ll have to ask yourself

anytime but you’ll have to ask yourself after going back into your own memories

after going back into your own memories

after going back into your own memories I had so many ideas so much energy but

I had so many ideas so much energy but

I had so many ideas so much energy but we were all lumped together with little

we were all lumped together with little

we were all lumped together with little to no connections to the outside world

to no connections to the outside world

to no connections to the outside world little to no context in terms of why we

little to no context in terms of why we

little to no context in terms of why we were learning these subjects it’s a

were learning these subjects it’s a

were learning these subjects it’s a terrible feeling to feel like your time

terrible feeling to feel like your time

terrible feeling to feel like your time or your energy is being completely

or your energy is being completely

or your energy is being completely wasted I was going to be a teacher that

wasted I was going to be a teacher that

wasted I was going to be a teacher that harnessed this immense teenage energy

harnessed this immense teenage energy

harnessed this immense teenage energy and curiosity somehow and put it to good

and curiosity somehow and put it to good

and curiosity somehow and put it to good use

use

use I actually remember thinking that

I actually remember thinking that

I actually remember thinking that exactly while doing some menial seek

exactly while doing some menial seek

exactly while doing some menial seek work one day in an English class the

work one day in an English class the

work one day in an English class the good news is that I’m almost there

good news is that I’m almost there

good news is that I’m almost there I feel like in our program we’ve created

I feel like in our program we’ve created

I feel like in our program we’ve created something special in education that is

something special in education that is

something special in education that is using the regeneration and restoration

using the regeneration and restoration

using the regeneration and restoration of the planet as a way to regenerate

of the planet as a way to regenerate

of the planet as a way to regenerate people’s love of learning but it did not

people’s love of learning but it did not

people’s love of learning but it did not start that way in my career it’s been a

start that way in my career it’s been a

start that way in my career it’s been a long journey on my first day of teaching

long journey on my first day of teaching

long journey on my first day of teaching around 10 years ago I came in and it was

around 10 years ago I came in and it was

around 10 years ago I came in and it was a well-respected teachers class I was

a well-respected teachers class I was

a well-respected teachers class I was covering the class all had textbooks and

covering the class all had textbooks and

covering the class all had textbooks and seat work you can picture this with

seat work you can picture this with

seat work you can picture this with those work manuals worksheets to fill

those work manuals worksheets to fill

those work manuals worksheets to fill out to keep them busy for a few days I

out to keep them busy for a few days I

out to keep them busy for a few days I was good all I had to do was manage the

was good all I had to do was manage the

was good all I had to do was manage the classroom until G showed up I called him

classroom until G showed up I called him

classroom until G showed up I called him G because G is the first letter of his

G because G is the first letter of his

G because G is the first letter of his name G by the way if you’re watching

name G by the way if you’re watching

name G by the way if you’re watching thank you for coming to my class that

thank you for coming to my class that

thank you for coming to my class that day G shows up late walks in disrupts

day G shows up late walks in disrupts

day G shows up late walks in disrupts everyone big chaos knocking books off

everyone big chaos knocking books off

everyone big chaos knocking books off desk making everyone laugh he had no

desk making everyone laugh he had no

desk making everyone laugh he had no books that day he had no writing

books that day he had no writing

books that day he had no writing equipment or anything but I knew how to

equipment or anything but I knew how to

equipment or anything but I knew how to handle this situation he just needed to

handle this situation he just needed to

handle this situation he just needed to know who the Alpha dog was

know who the Alpha dog was

know who the Alpha dog was we’ve been taught about this you know

we’ve been taught about this you know

we’ve been taught about this you know what the main piece of advice you get

what the main piece of advice you get

what the main piece of advice you get over and over in teachers colleges don’t

over and over in teachers colleges don’t

over and over in teachers colleges don’t smile until November they’re they’re

smile until November they’re they’re

smile until November they’re they’re easier to control if you’re really

easier to control if you’re really

easier to control if you’re really strict at the start it’s a good tip that

strict at the start it’s a good tip that

strict at the start it’s a good tip that I was employing the best that I could

I was employing the best that I could

I was employing the best that I could anyways I give him a textbook this is

anyways I give him a textbook this is

anyways I give him a textbook this is why we’re using props here I give him a

why we’re using props here I give him a

why we’re using props here I give him a textbook I open the book for him I show

textbook I open the book for him I show

textbook I open the book for him I show him where the work is I show him the

him where the work is I show him the

him where the work is I show him the whole class is busy at work I say and I

whole class is busy at work I say and I

whole class is busy at work I say and I leave him to it I go sit go sit back

leave him to it I go sit go sit back

leave him to it I go sit go sit back down no dice he’s still disrupting the

down no dice he’s still disrupting the

down no dice he’s still disrupting the class so I decide to take a different

class so I decide to take a different

class so I decide to take a different approach the cool teacher approach right

approach the cool teacher approach right

approach the cool teacher approach right so I kneel down and I’m like hey gee I

so I kneel down and I’m like hey gee I

so I kneel down and I’m like hey gee I don’t like doing this stuff either man

don’t like doing this stuff either man

don’t like doing this stuff either man but you know why don’t you just at least

but you know why don’t you just at least

but you know why don’t you just at least pick up the book and put your headphones

pick up the book and put your headphones

pick up the book and put your headphones in and we just won’t bother each other

in and we just won’t bother each other

in and we just won’t bother each other for the whole class so he picked up his

for the whole class so he picked up his

for the whole class so he picked up his book alright he picked up his book and

book alright he picked up his book and

book alright he picked up his book and he waved it in front of my face like

he waved it in front of my face like

he waved it in front of my face like this almost hitting my face so I really

this almost hitting my face so I really

this almost hitting my face so I really wanted to again assert myself my first

wanted to again assert myself my first

wanted to again assert myself my first ever professional day of teaching so I

ever professional day of teaching so I

ever professional day of teaching so I took his book and I went and how did he

took his book and I went and how did he

took his book and I went and how did he react he got in my face anyway

and then because I backed away at that

and then because I backed away at that point he picked up his desk and he threw

point he picked up his desk and he threw

point he picked up his desk and he threw it at me overall I’d say my first day

it at me overall I’d say my first day

it at me overall I’d say my first day was going pretty well don’t you

he then screamed again ran off out of

he then screamed again ran off out of the class I have no idea where he went

the class I have no idea where he went

the class I have no idea where he went so I just remained calm and everybody

so I just remained calm and everybody

so I just remained calm and everybody went back to their seat work and I went

went back to their seat work and I went

went back to their seat work and I went down to the staff room after class and I

down to the staff room after class and I

down to the staff room after class and I asked what was going on with gee and

asked what was going on with gee and

asked what was going on with gee and they told me that his mom had just been

they told me that his mom had just been

they told me that his mom had just been in court that morning and he was pretty

in court that morning and he was pretty

in court that morning and he was pretty upset about that they also said that he

upset about that they also said that he

upset about that they also said that he really doesn’t like school very much and

really doesn’t like school very much and

really doesn’t like school very much and I was like oh I couldn’t tell ya but she

I was like oh I couldn’t tell ya but she

I was like oh I couldn’t tell ya but she is the type of kid he couldn’t sit still

is the type of kid he couldn’t sit still

is the type of kid he couldn’t sit still he had more pressing issues on his mind

he had more pressing issues on his mind

he had more pressing issues on his mind than the exciting grade 9 worksheets

than the exciting grade 9 worksheets

than the exciting grade 9 worksheets that I and textbook work that I had

that I and textbook work that I had

that I and textbook work that I had assigned him the absolute last thing he

assigned him the absolute last thing he

assigned him the absolute last thing he needed to do that day was have someone

needed to do that day was have someone

needed to do that day was have someone assert their authority over something

assert their authority over something

assert their authority over something that was meaningless to him and yet

that was meaningless to him and yet

that was meaningless to him and yet there I was this is what I learned from

there I was this is what I learned from

there I was this is what I learned from that situation I hope to pass on a

that situation I hope to pass on a

that situation I hope to pass on a little bit of wisdom here so the biggest

little bit of wisdom here so the biggest

little bit of wisdom here so the biggest thing is you got to both the desk to the

thing is you got to both the desk to the

thing is you got to both the desk to the floor yeah that way they can only throw

floor yeah that way they can only throw

floor yeah that way they can only throw the chairs the chairs don’t hurt very

the chairs the chairs don’t hurt very

the chairs the chairs don’t hurt very much

much

much practical advice aside I also learned

practical advice aside I also learned

practical advice aside I also learned that discipline with no relationship

that discipline with no relationship

that discipline with no relationship it’s pretty much the worst thing you can

it’s pretty much the worst thing you can

it’s pretty much the worst thing you can do as a teacher there’s no chance of

do as a teacher there’s no chance of

do as a teacher there’s no chance of learning there secondly here I was as a

learning there secondly here I was as a

learning there secondly here I was as a teacher asserting my authority over my

teacher asserting my authority over my

teacher asserting my authority over my students that they would complete

students that they would complete

students that they would complete meaningless work which was precisely why

meaningless work which was precisely why

meaningless work which was precisely why I hated certain parts of my own school

I hated certain parts of my own school

I hated certain parts of my own school experience here I was a hypocrite

experience here I was a hypocrite

experience here I was a hypocrite thirdly and maybe some of you are

thirdly and maybe some of you are

thirdly and maybe some of you are thinking ahead

thinking ahead

thinking ahead maybe you’ve concluded that if only I

maybe you’ve concluded that if only I

maybe you’ve concluded that if only I had known his backstory if only I had

had known his backstory if only I had

had known his backstory if only I had known the coding he was listed under his

known the coding he was listed under his

known the coding he was listed under his learning deficiency is anything like

learning deficiency is anything like

learning deficiency is anything like that if I had read his report sure I may

that if I had read his report sure I may

that if I had read his report sure I may die

die

die be more compassionate that day I

be more compassionate that day I

be more compassionate that day I definitely wouldn’t slam the book but

definitely wouldn’t slam the book but

definitely wouldn’t slam the book but look more closely is there a chance this

look more closely is there a chance this

look more closely is there a chance this guy was gonna learn in that class in any

guy was gonna learn in that class in any

guy was gonna learn in that class in any circumstance

circumstance

circumstance probably not in hindsight I got as I got

probably not in hindsight I got as I got

probably not in hindsight I got as I got to know G over the years and we became

to know G over the years and we became

to know G over the years and we became friends I realized that everything about

friends I realized that everything about

friends I realized that everything about how I was attempting to get him to learn

how I was attempting to get him to learn

how I was attempting to get him to learn could not have honored his strengths as

could not have honored his strengths as

could not have honored his strengths as a person my actions

a person my actions

a person my actions honored me and my role as a classroom

honored me and my role as a classroom

honored me and my role as a classroom manager and I see now where my

manager and I see now where my

manager and I see now where my frustration as a student myself had come

frustration as a student myself had come

frustration as a student myself had come from geez tipping point was that the

from geez tipping point was that the

from geez tipping point was that the problems in his life were so real and so

problems in his life were so real and so

problems in his life were so real and so sharp and then he comes into a classroom

sharp and then he comes into a classroom

sharp and then he comes into a classroom where there’s nothing necessary or

where there’s nothing necessary or

where there’s nothing necessary or helpful or therapeutic it’s all just

helpful or therapeutic it’s all just

helpful or therapeutic it’s all just dull and meaningless can you imagine the

dull and meaningless can you imagine the

dull and meaningless can you imagine the contradiction there are occurring

contradiction there are occurring

contradiction there are occurring assumption with learning though is that

assumption with learning though is that

assumption with learning though is that we are we’re able to more preferably

we are we’re able to more preferably

we are we’re able to more preferably diagnose or label our students then we

diagnose or label our students then we

diagnose or label our students then we can create better strategies for their

can create better strategies for their

can create better strategies for their success I would argue that that is a

success I would argue that that is a

success I would argue that that is a treatment focus rather than a

treatment focus rather than a

treatment focus rather than a preventative focus at this rate I feel

preventative focus at this rate I feel

preventative focus at this rate I feel like pretty soon students are going to

like pretty soon students are going to

like pretty soon students are going to be signing their names with their

be signing their names with their

be signing their names with their diagnosis and acronyms behind them let’s

diagnosis and acronyms behind them let’s

diagnosis and acronyms behind them let’s see okay it’s not working oh well we’ll

see okay it’s not working oh well we’ll

see okay it’s not working oh well we’ll just keep talking oh there we go okay

all right now that I think about it more

all right now that I think about it more wouldn’t it be cool if we could have

wouldn’t it be cool if we could have

wouldn’t it be cool if we could have those Walmart price checker scanners so

those Walmart price checker scanners so

those Walmart price checker scanners so that when kids come in we can like see

that when kids come in we can like see

that when kids come in we can like see and like oh you got Tourette’s

and like oh you got Tourette’s

and like oh you got Tourette’s oh you’re gluten-free okay yeah so if we

oh you’re gluten-free okay yeah so if we

oh you’re gluten-free okay yeah so if we could if we could make that happen that

could if we could make that happen that

could if we could make that happen that would be really cool and sure someone at

would be really cool and sure someone at

would be really cool and sure someone at Ted’s proposed that my point is that we

Ted’s proposed that my point is that we

Ted’s proposed that my point is that we still need to address the actual

still need to address the actual

still need to address the actual learning but again was anyone learning

learning but again was anyone learning

learning but again was anyone learning that day troubling backstory or not

that day troubling backstory or not

that day troubling backstory or not we’re so used to this massive waste of

we’re so used to this massive waste of

we’re so used to this massive waste of time in our education that I highly

time in our education that I highly

time in our education that I highly doubt it

doubt it

doubt it I had this mass of high energy students

I had this mass of high energy students

I had this mass of high energy students with all sorts of backgrounds learning

with all sorts of backgrounds learning

with all sorts of backgrounds learning styles talents passions and here I was

styles talents passions and here I was

styles talents passions and here I was wasting their energy the way my energy

wasting their energy the way my energy

wasting their energy the way my energy had been wasted so today

had been wasted so today

had been wasted so today today all work the heavens in my

today all work the heavens in my

today all work the heavens in my classroom must be real and it must be

classroom must be real and it must be

classroom must be real and it must be meaningful I am proposing that the same

meaningful I am proposing that the same

meaningful I am proposing that the same happens elsewhere more often if not at

happens elsewhere more often if not at

happens elsewhere more often if not at least at the core of learning the way

least at the core of learning the way

least at the core of learning the way that I was able to make this happen was

that I was able to make this happen was

that I was able to make this happen was by discovering the missing piece then I

by discovering the missing piece then I

by discovering the missing piece then I only helped them learn but to help them

only helped them learn but to help them

only helped them learn but to help them learn how to contribute in our classroom

learn how to contribute in our classroom

learn how to contribute in our classroom we respect and honor our relationship

we respect and honor our relationship

we respect and honor our relationship with the land especially well this is an

with the land especially well this is an

with the land especially well this is an article that sort of over overlays how

article that sort of over overlays how

article that sort of over overlays how we are miss educating our youth how we

we are miss educating our youth how we

we are miss educating our youth how we are just walking them through things

are just walking them through things

are just walking them through things instead of really challenging them so in

instead of really challenging them so in

instead of really challenging them so in our classroom we respect our land and on

our classroom we respect our land and on

our classroom we respect our land and on our relationship with the land

our relationship with the land

our relationship with the land especially the treaty seven land our

especially the treaty seven land our

especially the treaty seven land our school occupies as a way to build

school occupies as a way to build

school occupies as a way to build relationships with people and thereby

relationships with people and thereby

relationships with people and thereby build resiliency within ourselves is it

build resiliency within ourselves is it

build resiliency within ourselves is it working I would say so it’s not perfect

working I would say so it’s not perfect

working I would say so it’s not perfect yes but I would say that we’re sort of

yes but I would say that we’re sort of

yes but I would say that we’re sort of working towards becoming part of the

working towards becoming part of the

working towards becoming part of the environment we’re really inspired by

environment we’re really inspired by

environment we’re really inspired by things like this how people can

things like this how people can

things like this how people can regenerate a landscape instead of taking

regenerate a landscape instead of taking

regenerate a landscape instead of taking away from a landscape our students

away from a landscape our students

away from a landscape our students become changemakers entrepreneurs

become changemakers entrepreneurs

become changemakers entrepreneurs visionaries good citizens mostly they

visionaries good citizens mostly they

visionaries good citizens mostly they become happier and we use real-world

become happier and we use real-world

become happier and we use real-world issues as our focus here’s a little

issues as our focus here’s a little

issues as our focus here’s a little overview of what our classroom looks

overview of what our classroom looks

overview of what our classroom looks like I didn’t know that they were doing

like I didn’t know that they were doing

like I didn’t know that they were doing this oh this is so lame this is the

this oh this is so lame this is the

this oh this is so lame this is the mannequin challenge that’s so 2016 guys

mannequin challenge that’s so 2016 guys

mannequin challenge that’s so 2016 guys I don’t remember them filling this

I don’t remember them filling this

I don’t remember them filling this filming this I don’t know why there’s a

filming this I don’t know why there’s a

filming this I don’t know why there’s a duck dabbing this is an ng poster okay I

duck dabbing this is an ng poster okay I

duck dabbing this is an ng poster okay I don’t know yeah alright so anyways you

don’t know yeah alright so anyways you

don’t know yeah alright so anyways you can see it yeah okay

I don’t remember any of that so welcome

I don’t remember any of that so welcome to our lab welcome to what I would call

to our lab welcome to what I would call

to our lab welcome to what I would call a regenerative education I’m using the

a regenerative education I’m using the

a regenerative education I’m using the word regenerative to describe our

word regenerative to describe our

word regenerative to describe our education students here have a purpose

education students here have a purpose

education students here have a purpose this kind of gives you a bit more of a

this kind of gives you a bit more of a

this kind of gives you a bit more of a background

background

background I hope yeah here students are introduced

I hope yeah here students are introduced

I hope yeah here students are introduced to various issues like climate change

to various issues like climate change

to various issues like climate change urban sprawl wildlife conservation

urban sprawl wildlife conservation

urban sprawl wildlife conservation issues watershed issues and many more we

issues watershed issues and many more we

issues watershed issues and many more we take them to beautiful places oftentimes

take them to beautiful places oftentimes

take them to beautiful places oftentimes to do so and we bring nature into our

to do so and we bring nature into our

to do so and we bring nature into our classroom here students create their own

classroom here students create their own

classroom here students create their own projects that have these guidelines one

projects that have these guidelines one

projects that have these guidelines one it must improve the community in some

it must improve the community in some

it must improve the community in some way – you must work with an outside

way – you must work with an outside

way – you must work with an outside organization or an expert because I

organization or an expert because I

organization or an expert because I don’t know enough number three

don’t know enough number three

don’t know enough number three it must be communicated back to the

it must be communicated back to the

it must be communicated back to the wider community someone other than me

wider community someone other than me

wider community someone other than me it’s real we work with real money real

it’s real we work with real money real

it’s real we work with real money real materials real real projects the real

materials real real projects the real

materials real real projects the real pace of change what students were asking

pace of change what students were asking

pace of change what students were asking for was a classroom that was open to the

for was a classroom that was open to the

for was a classroom that was open to the outside world as much as possible the

outside world as much as possible the

outside world as much as possible the result of our openness an ever-changing

result of our openness an ever-changing

result of our openness an ever-changing set of projects that were working on is

set of projects that were working on is

set of projects that were working on is our is that our lab is absolutely

our is that our lab is absolutely

our is that our lab is absolutely chaotic as some of my students will

chaotic as some of my students will

chaotic as some of my students will attest to it’s messy it’s unpredictable

attest to it’s messy it’s unpredictable

attest to it’s messy it’s unpredictable it’s urgent at times and it’s peaceful

it’s urgent at times and it’s peaceful

it’s urgent at times and it’s peaceful at times I’m gonna show you a few things

at times I’m gonna show you a few things

at times I’m gonna show you a few things here’s Braden working on his aquaponics

here’s Braden working on his aquaponics

here’s Braden working on his aquaponics experiment so he’s growing basil in the

experiment so he’s growing basil in the

experiment so he’s growing basil in the top of a fish tank

some beautiful dark oval basil we

some beautiful dark oval basil we actually run a class business where we

actually run a class business where we

actually run a class business where we sell microgreens to local restaurants

sell microgreens to local restaurants

sell microgreens to local restaurants last year we earned in our classroom

last year we earned in our classroom

last year we earned in our classroom $5,000 by selling these greens all that

$5,000 by selling these greens all that

$5,000 by selling these greens all that money goes back into the program to pay

money goes back into the program to pay

money goes back into the program to pay for students field trips

for students field trips

for students field trips here’s Collin and Shana standing on our

here’s Collin and Shana standing on our

here’s Collin and Shana standing on our roof with solar panels yay we have solar

roof with solar panels yay we have solar

roof with solar panels yay we have solar panels but more importantly they’re

panels but more importantly they’re

panels but more importantly they’re working with the Alberta government on

working with the Alberta government on

working with the Alberta government on getting more solar panels on schools

getting more solar panels on schools

getting more solar panels on schools across the province in energy efficiency

across the province in energy efficiency

across the province in energy efficiency rules so we also work on community

rules so we also work on community

rules so we also work on community gardens planting fruit trees we do a lot

gardens planting fruit trees we do a lot

gardens planting fruit trees we do a lot of upcycling with wood here you can see

of upcycling with wood here you can see

of upcycling with wood here you can see a kid’s history project we

a kid’s history project we

a kid’s history project we he took a 285 year old tree a wood

he took a 285 year old tree a wood

he took a 285 year old tree a wood cookie and he labelled the world

cookie and he labelled the world

cookie and he labelled the world population in the world co2 levels all

population in the world co2 levels all

population in the world co2 levels all the way back to 1785 as his history

the way back to 1785 as his history

the way back to 1785 as his history project which is pretty cool we think

project which is pretty cool we think

project which is pretty cool we think that at this point it’s safe to say we

that at this point it’s safe to say we

that at this point it’s safe to say we are changing lives right here in our

are changing lives right here in our

are changing lives right here in our little living laboratory high anxiety

little living laboratory high anxiety

little living laboratory high anxiety students hide here all our all students

students hide here all our all students

students hide here all our all students at different levels of achievement we

at different levels of achievement we

at different levels of achievement we mix them all in all learning styles all

mix them all in all learning styles all

mix them all in all learning styles all abilities we don’t care we’ll take you

abilities we don’t care we’ll take you

abilities we don’t care we’ll take you our indigenous students succeed here we

our indigenous students succeed here we

our indigenous students succeed here we have and what we produce our future

have and what we produce our future

have and what we produce our future engineers entrepreneurs landscape

engineers entrepreneurs landscape

engineers entrepreneurs landscape designers horticulturalists any type of

designers horticulturalists any type of

designers horticulturalists any type of person even really awesome gas station

person even really awesome gas station

person even really awesome gas station attendants every single adult that

attendants every single adult that

attendants every single adult that passes through the building says the

passes through the building says the

passes through the building says the same thing after they visit I wish I had

same thing after they visit I wish I had

same thing after they visit I wish I had that when I was in school let’s pay

that when I was in school let’s pay

that when I was in school let’s pay attention to that phrase and do

attention to that phrase and do

attention to that phrase and do something about it for our own kids I’m

something about it for our own kids I’m

something about it for our own kids I’m saying we found something here by

saying we found something here by

saying we found something here by regenerating our land and the community

regenerating our land and the community

regenerating our land and the community we are regenerating our youth we are

we are regenerating our youth we are

we are regenerating our youth we are giving them a purpose and some skills to

giving them a purpose and some skills to

giving them a purpose and some skills to go along with it pretty advanced

go along with it pretty advanced

go along with it pretty advanced thinking as well check this out this is

thinking as well check this out this is

thinking as well check this out this is a homemade RSA style video where all we

a homemade RSA style video where all we

a homemade RSA style video where all we used was a camcorder above a whiteboard

used was a camcorder above a whiteboard

used was a camcorder above a whiteboard and this kid Jeff just wrote drew really

and this kid Jeff just wrote drew really

and this kid Jeff just wrote drew really fast but they the kids came over the

fast but they the kids came over the

fast but they the kids came over the concept called educational sprawl and

concept called educational sprawl and

concept called educational sprawl and you can watch the whole video on YouTube

you can watch the whole video on YouTube

you can watch the whole video on YouTube but it’s this concept where they were

but it’s this concept where they were

but it’s this concept where they were proposing that the unsustainable

proposing that the unsustainable

proposing that the unsustainable development of our communities this

development of our communities this

development of our communities this urban sprawl is a direct outcome of the

urban sprawl is a direct outcome of the

urban sprawl is a direct outcome of the unsustainability of our school system

unsustainability of our school system

unsustainability of our school system how we fragment things how we put

how we fragment things how we put

how we fragment things how we put different learning in silos how we

different learning in silos how we

different learning in silos how we separate each other by age groups and

separate each other by age groups and

separate each other by age groups and things like this it was a really complex

things like this it was a really complex

things like this it was a really complex thought and they went presented this at

thought and they went presented this at

thought and they went presented this at a conference these are the types of

a conference these are the types of

a conference these are the types of thoughts our kids are coming up with if

thoughts our kids are coming up with if

thoughts our kids are coming up with if you want to talk about raising the bar

you want to talk about raising the bar

you want to talk about raising the bar please don’t keep offering us more test

please don’t keep offering us more test

please don’t keep offering us more test preparation courses show you that they

preparation courses show you that they

preparation courses show you that they have the ability to contribute in a

have the ability to contribute in a

have the ability to contribute in a meaningful way to the development of

meaningful way to the development of

meaningful way to the development of their own community luckily at the same

their own community luckily at the same

their own community luckily at the same time we have a lot of problems going on

time we have a lot of problems going on

time we have a lot of problems going on in the world specifically climate change

in the world specifically climate change

in the world specifically climate change and reconciliation the world needs help

and reconciliation the world needs help

and reconciliation the world needs help right

right

right so we need people we need to mobilize

so we need people we need to mobilize

so we need people we need to mobilize people to learn how to grow local food

people to learn how to grow local food

people to learn how to grow local food again we need people to work in complex

again we need people to work in complex

again we need people to work in complex water issues so we have kids go out onto

water issues so we have kids go out onto

water issues so we have kids go out onto the glacier learn about the river

the glacier learn about the river

the glacier learn about the river systems we need we need kids to learn

systems we need we need kids to learn

systems we need we need kids to learn about conservation areas ecological

about conservation areas ecological

about conservation areas ecological integrity of protected lands we need we

integrity of protected lands we need we

integrity of protected lands we need we need people to redesign buildings so

need people to redesign buildings so

need people to redesign buildings so that they’re better we spent 90% of our

that they’re better we spent 90% of our

that they’re better we spent 90% of our life in buildings nowadays and we used

life in buildings nowadays and we used

life in buildings nowadays and we used to spend 90% of our lives outdoors in

to spend 90% of our lives outdoors in

to spend 90% of our lives outdoors in the buildings we go to school in are

the buildings we go to school in are

the buildings we go to school in are sometimes poisonous this is this is when

sometimes poisonous this is this is when

sometimes poisonous this is this is when I worked in Jasper this is downtown

I worked in Jasper this is downtown

I worked in Jasper this is downtown Seattle

Seattle

Seattle the first living classroom it’s a

the first living classroom it’s a

the first living classroom it’s a completely self sustainable portable

completely self sustainable portable

completely self sustainable portable classroom that the students helped

classroom that the students helped

classroom that the students helped design we need this the youth we need

design we need this the youth we need

design we need this the youth we need the seventh generation as we call it to

the seventh generation as we call it to

the seventh generation as we call it to show us what reconciliation can look

show us what reconciliation can look

show us what reconciliation can look like and it’s right here in our

like and it’s right here in our

like and it’s right here in our classroom and it’s right here in our

classroom and it’s right here in our

classroom and it’s right here in our sage garden designs and planted by

sage garden designs and planted by

sage garden designs and planted by Isaiah who came to us broken and planted

Isaiah who came to us broken and planted

Isaiah who came to us broken and planted this really beautiful garden there’s so

this really beautiful garden there’s so

this really beautiful garden there’s so much more that relationship that

much more that relationship that

much more that relationship that understanding of the land is what’s

understanding of the land is what’s

understanding of the land is what’s missing we take millions of years of

missing we take millions of years of

missing we take millions of years of evolution it’s become this super species

evolution it’s become this super species

evolution it’s become this super species that developed on the land living

that developed on the land living

that developed on the land living outdoors and then we put that away we’ve

outdoors and then we put that away we’ve

outdoors and then we put that away we’ve decided to put that away to learn or

decided to put that away to learn or

decided to put that away to learn or learn school we do this for mass

learn school we do this for mass

learn school we do this for mass efficiency I get it but there’s a better

efficiency I get it but there’s a better

efficiency I get it but there’s a better way we can do this it’s not what it’s

way we can do this it’s not what it’s

way we can do this it’s not what it’s what’s unnatural about the way we

what’s unnatural about the way we

what’s unnatural about the way we educate our students and when we do this

educate our students and when we do this

educate our students and when we do this we have all kinds of kids experiencing

we have all kinds of kids experiencing

we have all kinds of kids experiencing success and they get recognized not on

success and they get recognized not on

success and they get recognized not on the report card kids get their picks in

the report card kids get their picks in

the report card kids get their picks in the media Instagram we go crazy like

the media Instagram we go crazy like

the media Instagram we go crazy like this is our Minister of Education

this is our Minister of Education

this is our Minister of Education stopping to talk to Ben about our about

stopping to talk to Ben about our about

stopping to talk to Ben about our about our micro green project this is us on

our micro green project this is us on

our micro green project this is us on CBC when the government announced solar

CBC when the government announced solar

CBC when the government announced solar panels slated for 36 school roofs and

panels slated for 36 school roofs and

panels slated for 36 school roofs and Alberta worth nine million dollars that

Alberta worth nine million dollars that

Alberta worth nine million dollars that was a high school outcome project right

was a high school outcome project right

was a high school outcome project right that’s amazing here we are with we meet

that’s amazing here we are with we meet

that’s amazing here we are with we meet all sorts of cool people like majora

all sorts of cool people like majora

all sorts of cool people like majora Carter from the Bronx we meet David

Carter from the Bronx we meet David

Carter from the Bronx we meet David Suzuki who’s pretty cool we host

Suzuki who’s pretty cool we host

Suzuki who’s pretty cool we host conferences community gatherings we do

conferences community gatherings we do

conferences community gatherings we do Urban

Urban

Urban design of urban agriculture of spaces we

design of urban agriculture of spaces we

design of urban agriculture of spaces we even get highlighted in other languages

even get highlighted in other languages

even get highlighted in other languages for a type of education that should be

for a type of education that should be

for a type of education that should be copied around the world and then we

copied around the world and then we

copied around the world and then we become the greenest school in Canada in

become the greenest school in Canada in

become the greenest school in Canada in 2016 which is really cool

2016 which is really cool

2016 which is really cool from that point we start educating

from that point we start educating

from that point we start educating littler kids and we have our big kids

littler kids and we have our big kids

littler kids and we have our big kids educate the little kids which is pretty

educate the little kids which is pretty

educate the little kids which is pretty awesome so you can see I do wish I had

awesome so you can see I do wish I had

awesome so you can see I do wish I had this when I went to school and therein

this when I went to school and therein

this when I went to school and therein lies the motivation

lies the motivation

lies the motivation it took G throwing a desk at me it took

it took G throwing a desk at me it took

it took G throwing a desk at me it took Isaiah planting a garden it took my own

Isaiah planting a garden it took my own

Isaiah planting a garden it took my own little kids and seeing how they learn

little kids and seeing how they learn

little kids and seeing how they learn and I channeled the impatience and

and I channeled the impatience and

and I channeled the impatience and frustration that I had when I went to

frustration that I had when I went to

frustration that I had when I went to school in the only answers I was ever

school in the only answers I was ever

school in the only answers I was ever given for why are we learning this was

given for why are we learning this was

given for why are we learning this was because it’s on the test so lastly I’ll

because it’s on the test so lastly I’ll

because it’s on the test so lastly I’ll leave you with this parents from my

leave you with this parents from my

leave you with this parents from my generation this message is for you

generation this message is for you

generation this message is for you I see examples of your frustrations all

I see examples of your frustrations all

I see examples of your frustrations all the time I see you trying to hold

the time I see you trying to hold

the time I see you trying to hold teachers more accountable than ever

teachers more accountable than ever

teachers more accountable than ever before it’s because we know something’s

before it’s because we know something’s

before it’s because we know something’s wrong we want our kids to succeed but

wrong we want our kids to succeed but

wrong we want our kids to succeed but more than that we want them to be happy

more than that we want them to be happy

more than that we want them to be happy I hear this all the time we want them to

I hear this all the time we want them to

I hear this all the time we want them to be good people that love themselves and

be good people that love themselves and

be good people that love themselves and are good to other people because of that

are good to other people because of that

are good to other people because of that we want them to contribute in some

we want them to contribute in some

we want them to contribute in some humble way we don’t want their school to

humble way we don’t want their school to

humble way we don’t want their school to take the spark away we’ve gone through

take the spark away we’ve gone through

take the spark away we’ve gone through our own struggles we know how many of

our own struggles we know how many of

our own struggles we know how many of our peers and family are searching for

our peers and family are searching for

our peers and family are searching for something more meaningful good news is

something more meaningful good news is

something more meaningful good news is is that we are getting this at some

is that we are getting this at some

is that we are getting this at some level for instance nature kindergartens

level for instance nature kindergartens

level for instance nature kindergartens are becoming a thing now it’s again cool

are becoming a thing now it’s again cool

are becoming a thing now it’s again cool to jump out of a tree and scrape your

to jump out of a tree and scrape your

to jump out of a tree and scrape your knee I need you to know what’s happening

knee I need you to know what’s happening

knee I need you to know what’s happening at my level though because things aren’t

at my level though because things aren’t

at my level though because things aren’t being changed fast enough in the

being changed fast enough in the

being changed fast enough in the education system so why are more

education system so why are more

education system so why are more American teenagers than ever suffering

American teenagers than ever suffering

American teenagers than ever suffering from severe anxiety so since I went to

from severe anxiety so since I went to

from severe anxiety so since I went to high school dives diagnosed anxiety

high school dives diagnosed anxiety

high school dives diagnosed anxiety rates are three times higher combine

rates are three times higher combine

rates are three times higher combine that with a doubling of hospital

that with a doubling of hospital

that with a doubling of hospital admissions for suicidal teenagers over

admissions for suicidal teenagers over

admissions for suicidal teenagers over the last 10 years we have a mental

the last 10 years we have a mental

the last 10 years we have a mental health epidemic and we are just putting

health epidemic and we are just putting

health epidemic and we are just putting more

more

more on to our teenagers it’s it’s not just

on to our teenagers it’s it’s not just

on to our teenagers it’s it’s not just kids like GE anymore that can’t take it

kids like GE anymore that can’t take it

kids like GE anymore that can’t take it many have no way in school to build

many have no way in school to build

many have no way in school to build resiliency they mostly have no

resiliency they mostly have no

resiliency they mostly have no connection to nature and I think this is

connection to nature and I think this is

connection to nature and I think this is the point you’d be surprised to know

the point you’d be surprised to know

the point you’d be surprised to know that here I teach in Calgary which is

that here I teach in Calgary which is

that here I teach in Calgary which is really close to the mountains that over

really close to the mountains that over

really close to the mountains that over 50% of the students that I teach who

50% of the students that I teach who

50% of the students that I teach who grew up in Calgary until we go have

grew up in Calgary until we go have

grew up in Calgary until we go have never been to the mountains it’s one our

never been to the mountains it’s one our

never been to the mountains it’s one our driving distance

driving distance

driving distance I’m sure this type of disconnect is

I’m sure this type of disconnect is

I’m sure this type of disconnect is happening in cities around the world as

happening in cities around the world as

happening in cities around the world as the urbanization trends continue this is

the urbanization trends continue this is

the urbanization trends continue this is a crisis you want to help fix that how

a crisis you want to help fix that how

a crisis you want to help fix that how are we supposed to take on resource

are we supposed to take on resource

are we supposed to take on resource issues facing us when most kids have

issues facing us when most kids have

issues facing us when most kids have zero relationship with the land let

zero relationship with the land let

zero relationship with the land let alone take on their wellness issues

alone take on their wellness issues

alone take on their wellness issues technology alone will not save education

technology alone will not save education

technology alone will not save education it will not help regenerate our youth

it will not help regenerate our youth

it will not help regenerate our youth it’s one of my heroes architect of

it’s one of my heroes architect of

it’s one of my heroes architect of living building says the role of

living building says the role of

living building says the role of technology is not to elevate us above

technology is not to elevate us above

technology is not to elevate us above nature but to elevate us within our

nature but to elevate us within our

nature but to elevate us within our nature and within nature itself

nature and within nature itself

nature and within nature itself these kids are leading the way they are

these kids are leading the way they are

these kids are leading the way they are saving education and building our

saving education and building our

saving education and building our communities for more sustainable ways

communities for more sustainable ways

communities for more sustainable ways why because we gave them a chance here’s

why because we gave them a chance here’s

why because we gave them a chance here’s another example this is lissandra and

another example this is lissandra and

another example this is lissandra and rayel at the sage garden

rayel at the sage garden

rayel at the sage garden Sebastian’s not in this picture but they

Sebastian’s not in this picture but they

Sebastian’s not in this picture but they work on this beautiful project called

work on this beautiful project called

work on this beautiful project called renewables for reconciliation they’re

renewables for reconciliation they’re

renewables for reconciliation they’re using indigenous principles combined

using indigenous principles combined

using indigenous principles combined with technology as an act of

with technology as an act of

with technology as an act of reconciliation between cultures and

reconciliation between cultures and

reconciliation between cultures and nature itself why again because they

nature itself why again because they

nature itself why again because they were given the chance to do this this

were given the chance to do this this

were given the chance to do this this means kids working on developing skills

means kids working on developing skills

means kids working on developing skills and taking risks without fear of failure

and taking risks without fear of failure

and taking risks without fear of failure as the main motivation motivation can be

as the main motivation motivation can be

as the main motivation motivation can be found when we peel to the best in people

found when we peel to the best in people

found when we peel to the best in people more problems are solved with that type

more problems are solved with that type

more problems are solved with that type of deadline more innovations to more

of deadline more innovations to more

of deadline more innovations to more cars are fixed our wishes fulfilled more

cars are fixed our wishes fulfilled more

cars are fixed our wishes fulfilled more art created more land conserved more

art created more land conserved more

art created more land conserved more signals heard more reconciliation more

signals heard more reconciliation more

signals heard more reconciliation more generate regeneration so let’s get to

generate regeneration so let’s get to

generate regeneration so let’s get to work thank you

work thank you

work thank you [Applause]

”

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