I am new to blogging — although, if I’m being completely honest, I have been thinking of actually writing a blog about my musings on teaching, learning and leadership for some time now — I believe that it’s been about 12 years give or take 3 or 4.  And, no, I actually do tend to move more quickly on most things that I want to do.   I really prefer to dive into something, work through a process and come out at a place of completion.

Actually, as I reflect on why I have not blogged before now I have come to two main reasons why I have been procrastinating:

1. Would people actually want to read what I blog about?
2. There is no finish line in blogging, so it is not exactly in my comfort-zone. I like things that have a beginning, a middle and an end.

Reaching out by Blogging is One Way to Connect with Others

However, I have recently come to the realization that there more reasons to actually write a blog.  Here are a couple of the ones I’ve been contemplating:

I’m New to Saanich

As your new Superintendent, there are undoubtedly a few questions that you might have about me, such as:

• Who am I?
• What kind of background do I bring to the role?
• What are my beliefs and priorities in education?
• What is my leadership style?
• What are my priorities when I interact with people?
• Do I have a sense of humour?
• and, even … What I do in my spare time?

Let me answer the last question first – some of my favourite activities include hiking, trail running, watching the odd Canucks game, reading historically accurate fiction, and doing my own home renovations – carpentry, dry walling, painting, a bit of electrical, and plumbing.  Plumbing is probably my least favourite activity because it always leaks the first three times I try to fix something — but I’m consistently determined to finish whatever job I start.

Over time, I hope my blog is one place where I can provide some insights into the other questions as well.

Risk Taking

There is no time like the present to jump into something that is a bit frightening.

It’s Important Sometimes to Leap into the Unfamiliar

I feel it is important to model one of the things that I believe is important in education – risk taking – sure, trying something new puts you in a particularly vulnerable position, but doing new things is what makes one grow.  If I cannot show that I am willing to take risks, how can I ask our students, teachers and district leaders to do the same?  By encouraging appropriate risk taking in our schools we allow our children to grow, our staff to grow — our schools to grow.

So, There It Is

I am now a blogger.  I plan to write often so my content stays fresh.  I encourage feedback and suggestions and perhaps most importantly, I look forward to connecting with my new community.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to be part of the Saanich team and I look forward to sharing my ideas, my questions and and my passions as we move forward together.