Blog Posts

A few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on the benefits of physical activity for both our minds and bodies. As we approach March Break, it feels timely to highlight the importance of rest and relaxation. Taking a break is something I personally struggle with, and I know many of you do, too. Our principals and vice principals, in particular, often find it challenging to take a lunch break when there are hundreds of students to supervise. Despite our best intentions to take a moment "later" to eat and catch our breath, sometimes "later" never comes.

True confession: I enjoy physical activity. I start most days with vigorous exercise. I wake up at 5:00 am Monday to Friday so I can be unrushed in my morning ritual, which includes fresh espresso, a scroll through various social media feeds, CBC radio, and yes, a fitness workout.  

Ready or not, 2025 is here! While I am not one for resolutions, I like setting personal and professional goals. A new year brings with it a sense of hope and opportunity. No matter what happened the previous year, a new year feels like another chance to step closer to a dream, an aspiration, or even start something entirely new.

One of the things I love most about this time of year is seeing the many ways we celebrate the season.  Visit any one of our schools and you’ll see snowflakes and Christmas trees and happy faces all around. If you are lucky, you might even catch sight of Santa and his elves. And it’s not just in schools and classrooms. The Abbotsford School Board Office is a veritable winter wonderland thanks to the goodwill and creative energy of our folks here. 

I spoke with an elementary student recently. He was a hockey fan and could easily recite NHL players' names. He knew their jersey numbers, the positions they played, and sometimes the number of goals and assists they scored. I suspect you might know a sports fan like this, too.

Most of us understand that time is a precious commodity. There is no going back when a moment, a week, or a year has passed. So how we spend our time ought to be a key consideration. What is more, the demands of life and career are such that it can often feel as if there is not enough time to do the things we want or need to do. Time pressure is real, and I am certainly not immune.

A world-class, innovative, and individualized educational experience for every student. This is our collective vision, reaffirmed by our Board of Education this past June when they approved a new multi-year strategic plan. The vision is a powerful one, and my role as Superintendent is to help bring it to life.

The coming school year will be my 30th in public education.  It hardly seems possible, but I’ve double checked the math. It’s been an extraordinary journey so far, and I am beyond grateful for the wonderful experiences and opportunities that have been afforded me. Inspired by my friend and colleague Chris Kennedy, who is well known for posting lists on his Culture of Yes blog, I have decided to commemorate the occasion by posting a list of my own.

As I reflect on the many high school graduations I have attended over the years, the occasion never loses its magic. Each time I see our students donning their caps and gowns, I am filled with a profound sense of pride and accomplishment. The nature of our work in public education often means the fruits of our labour are not immediately visible the way they are, for example, when a developer hands over the keys to a new home. Our equivalent moment comes at graduation. It is a symbolic turning of the keys, marking the beginning of a new chapter for our graduates.