
[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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