I get to visit many schools as I present IB workshops and each of them leave a different impression on my heart. At Shu Ren International School, I felt like I was meeting long lost family again.  These educators were so full of passion and love of learning, which was evident in their level of enthusiasm for the PYP programme.  It's been 18 months since I've had the chance to meet them, yet they still manage to shape the corners of my mind.  

Take a peek at this video to learn more about this fabulous school in Berkeley, California. 
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I love Lake Forest Hills so much!  I've had the priviledge of leading workshops with their dynamic team and trying to figure out how to make the PYP work magically in their school.  Isn't that the best?  

This would not be happening so deeply if it weren't for two people: Lisa Hughey and Crystal Colemen.  I love these two leaders so much. 

​Here is a shout-out video I created about this wonderful school.  

I love when a friend tells me that they have someone I need to meet.  Usually, I find that I have a new friend in the world.  As the stars would have it, Janat Blackmon and I met when I visited her campus CC Mason to deliver an IB workshop.  Through the experience, I quickly realized her depth of understanding of the PYP programme and her love for the school.  

During the workshop experience, I found the staff was very dedicated to the programme and were eager to apply practices back to their classrooms.  These are the types of schools that make your work so worthwhile.  

Here are my impressions of CC Mason.  
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​Hephzibah Elementary School is one magical place. I met a team of educators at a FLIBS workshop and didn't think anything of it.  Then, many months later, the vice principal emailed to see if I was available to lead a workshop at their school.  Several workshops and a consultancy later, i have a sense of this magical school. 

I never thought I would find so much love for learning in Richmond County, Virginia.  Hepzibah is one of three PYP schools that I know quite well and cherish.  These people are good and kind-hearted.  As my momma would say, they are the salt of the earth.  

Everytime I get to return, I feel like I am going home again. 
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Every week, I want to begin to shout out ideas that I have learned from different campuses that I've visited.  This is an informal reflection on some things that have touched me and helped me to become a better educator.  

For my first shout-out, I would like to present Le Jardin Academy in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii.  I was approached by the PYP coordinator to lead a consultancy about the culture of agency and personal/shared inquiry.  

To begin our process, we explored how to build a culture of agency based on the work of Edgar H. Schein on his work related to organizational culture.  We took Shein's three levels of culture and applied them to agency. 

We met over an hour session online to set the stage for goal-setting through the use of a success criteria.  The staff was challenged to make a goal related to cultural artifacts, espoused values, and underlying assumptions.  

For our in-person sessions, I had the privilege to walk the campus and see learners focusing on their personal inquiries.  This was a magical experience.  It was fun to see them take risks on their wonderings and apply different approaches to inquiry. 

Afterwards, we had a sit down as grade levels to explore various ways that we might grow and clear up misconceptions.  

This campus is truly open-minded and here are some of my thoughts that might inspire you as well. 
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