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Deborah Konecny
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Let's talk more about what we think education is about
10 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Mike Hunt 1 day ago.

 

Deborah Konecny's Page

Latest Activity

Brilliant idea Anthony! What a great way for "People For Education" to reach out and engage the greater whole and its inherent diversity while including the students who represent the future, and giving everyone a voice in a considered and conside...
yesterday
Hi Gay, My bias is that our education system should be about producing critical thinkers. I hold this view largely because I think it promotes the greatest possibility for self-determination. I also agree with you that we need to learn to be cons...
yesterday
Wow - I just read through all your posts and you guys are really thinking! I'm not sure if everyone (all people) would ever be able to agree on the purpose of education. But wouldn't it be great if we could agree on a set of general principles? I ...
on Saturday
Thanks, Sheila for the suggested video of Sir Ken. I enjoyed it. It seems that all three of us are preaching to the converted. I think that this is an issue that should be discussed but in a larger forum such as a Townhall Meeting or a televised ...
on Friday
Good ideas here. Glad my question got you thinking, Anthony. And now with your related one: "Do we work to live or do we live to work? Is it the responsibility of our education system to give our students the means to ‘live’ (i.e., the active sens...
November 25
Paulo Freire spoke of education in this way: "Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice ...
November 23
I apologize. I am eager to read other people's contributions but Sheila's question really got me thinking and I wanted to share my thoughts. I think that Sam’s blog – “the Purpose of Education – Revised” is a valuable contribution to this discuss...
November 21
I really like what you have shared here, Anthony. I am going to mull this over some more, and as you have said/suggested, our education system is focused on producing workers. So for now, I would like to put the question "out there", why might the...
November 20

Profile Information

City
Toronto
Province
Ontario
Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself?
I am currently at Ryerson University doing my Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Studies. I am doing independent research looking at what newcomer parents have to tell us about parent engagement, and more specifically what suggestions they have for newcomer parents and staff in school and childcare communities to better engage each other.

Families Are Important Resources Manual and Video

Some of you know that I was coordinator for the FAIR project which was interested in finding out how to best engage at parents with young children in civic and community engagement. The project wrapped up December 2008 and there is a good resource for working with families available online. There is a manual that talks about the things learned during the FAIR project and there are appendices that have TONS of tools in them.

The project was also fortunate enough to have funds to create a short video about the project.

I would love it if people would check it out and let me know what they think about it.

You can find these resources at www.familyservicetoronto.org/programs/GUHD/FAIR.html

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At 4:22pm on November 8, 2009, Gay Stephenson said…
Deb, I'm loving your new picture. There's something special about seeing a smiling, friendly and familiar face beside a post. I'm going to check out your blog!
At 4:08pm on January 12, 2009, Jacqui Strachan said…
Hi Deborah,
It is great to have you as a member of our online community! You have done such incredible work as the coordinator of the Families Are Important Resources (FAIR) initiative I know your voice will be a valuable addition to all of our discussions here. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the project, I will let Deborah fill you in, but it was a great social inclusion initiative for parents and caregivers, getting them involved in community action. Although the project has come to an official end, the benefits to the participants, and to those of us who shared their learning journey, will continue for years to come!
Jacqui
p.s. It was a great celebration for FAIR on Friday, and I am looking forward to working with some of the parents that were involved - they are so wonderful and enthusiastic.
 
 

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Video Interviews!

TVO recorded great interviews / discussions at our conference!

Watch them now, or share them at your next school council meeting!!!!

Presentations and notes from all sessions are being posted to our main website, as we receive them.

Interviews with:
Minister of Education
Annie Kidder
Charles Pascal (Early Learning)
Testing the Pros and the Cons (Panel Discussion)


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November 29, 2009
This time the book is a podcast. When you’re tired or busy with another task, well the podcast can be just the thing. Recently I heard Learning, Doing, Being: A New Science of Education. If you were intrigued by Alanna Mitchell’s recent Atkinson Series: Brainstorm about the developments of brain science and the impact on education, then this podcast may interest you.

From Speaking of Faith produced by American Public Media, host Krista Tippett talks with writers, artists, scientists, thinkers and theologians about ” belief, meaning, ethics and ideas” . Last week she interviewed neuroscientist (and dancer) Adele Diamond who now teaches at UBC .
She talks about Executive Functions. It turns out that play and especially dramatic play is key to the development of self –regulation.
“Her work is scientifically illustrating the educational power of things like play, sports, music, memorization and reflection” The more parts of an individual that get involved, the more the brain changes. The research is “turning modernity on its head”
Here is short slide show clip....
Join the conversation at Book Chat

Latest Activity

Mike, I have to say that you expressed many of my concerns and questions about the role and responsibilities of school council. I hear you and your frustration about the topics of discussion, but if council doesn't discuss the mundane, day to day,...
7 hours ago
Thank you Mike for adding a balanced and practical voice to the discsussion of just what constitutes "involvement". How much do parents really want to do and what is realistic to expect from the front-lines when there is so much else parents need ...
7 hours ago
Thanks, Jacqui, for explaining the role of PIC at the Board level. I am a PIC member (part of Gord's committee actually) and also on school council at my children's school. That being said, I have to admit that I am not as well-versed in the roles...
8 hours ago
Carolyn Hines is now a member of People for Education Online Community
9 hours ago
Hi Kevin, I know Gord is away this week, but I can help answer some of your questions, and hopefully he can jump in where I leave holes: 1) PIC mandates will vary from board to board - the ministry recommended the establishment of PICs, but has ...
15 hours ago
Hi Eva, It has only recently come to my attention that the Toronto board has developed a different method for allocating the school council funding. I'm not sure how long they have been doing it this way, but I have sent an email to the Parent an...
15 hours ago
Hi Hollis, I recommend Uzma Shakir, and I think if I search the office I can find her contact information (or Jacqui may have it!). I have heard her speak on these topics and she is amazing. The only thing I'm not sure of is how often she is avai...
18 hours ago
Hollis Pearson added a discussion
HI! I am a Co-chair at a diverse downtown Toronto school and am looking for reputable (but afforadable) contacts and/or tips to facilitate an engaging workshop for our parent body about diverse family values , North American youth culture and med...
19 hours ago
I have been wondering if changes to report card formats (elem. and high school?) that may be coming would open up to different things to measure, or other opportunities for measurement/tracking. Surveys are tricky, but may have a place somewhere.....
yesterday
Brilliant idea Anthony! What a great way for "People For Education" to reach out and engage the greater whole and its inherent diversity while including the students who represent the future, and giving everyone a voice in a considered and conside...
yesterday
Good point, marbat. I have often viewed it like that: School councils are advisory, and I would think that would also apply to where fundraised money is directed as well, ie, a recommendation can be made to support a specifed area with some fundin...
yesterday
Aerin Guy added a video
yesterday
Hi Gay, My bias is that our education system should be about producing critical thinkers. I hold this view largely because I think it promotes the greatest possibility for self-determination. I also agree with you that we need to learn to be cons...
yesterday
Aerin Guy added a discussion
I've noticed a few very exciting things happening across the country as teachers and even entire school divisions begin to embrace the digital in education. As a social tech trainer and consultant in the education and non-profit sectors, I am alwa...
yesterday
yesterday
A discussion started by Kevin Lester was featured
Hi, I am interested to know if a majority of school Parent Councils have and control their own bank accounts, separate from the school, for the monies they receive from their fund raising activities. Are there any guidelines to follow? Who stipula...
yesterday
A discussion started by Heather Linklater was featured
The Aboriginal population is often forgotten in discussions across the board, but education is the most important one that many people are unfamiliar with. The Aboriginal population in Canada is the fastest growing population in the country, and t...
yesterday
A discussion started by Sheila Stewart was featured
The PRO Grant confirmations have been made. Do you know if your school council applied and was successful in receiving a grant for parent involvement/outreach/communication? Are school councils finding good ideas for their $500 parent involvment f...
yesterday
on Monday
Deborah Kimmett is now a member of People for Education Online Community
on Sunday

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