Well, I’ve had a few people who have requested that I explain a little about myself. So, here goes…..
I’m Kelly Christopherson, a principal in a K - 12 school in Saskatchewan. I am in my fourth year as principal of the school. Before this, I was principal in Melville, Saskatchewan. I have taught in Weyburn, Lloydminster and Sturgis, all in Saskatchewan.
I have a MEd. from the University of Calgary in Educational Leadership. I have a BEd and a BA from the University of Saskatchewan. I have taken two classes, Teaching for Understaning with Technology, from Harvard Graduate School of Education and have been asked to train as a coach. I am presently looking at taking a class on advanced uses of technology.
I do have a family, despite what most people think. I have seven children - 4 girls and 3 boys. Yes, we are Catholic and are very proud of our Christian beliefs which we use to guide our daily lives. I grew up in rural Saskatchewan and have worked my way back to being here. We enjoy being in a rural setting. My children are involved in everything you can imagine, from piano to dance to different sports. I have given up playing most sports and now coach Sr. Boy’s Basketball and Track and Field. My wife is a French Immersion teacher who enjoys subbing at the schools in the area, teaches at Prairie West Community College and also works part-time at the local lumber yard.
You asked!
10 responses so far ↓
From one Catholic educator to another
congratulations on your blog and your leadership as a ‘blogging’ Principal. I have just found your blog, and am enjoying reading about your educational challenges in Saskatchewan. Cheers, Judy
Kelly,
Thank you for stopping by my blog and posting a comment. I wish I could tell you that my teachers are using Web 2.0 tools on a daily basis but I can’t. I am trying my best to get the teachers in my system to begin to migrate to them, but it is slow go. I do have several teachers doing podcasts (most are not actually podcasts but close) and I am very proud of them. I brag on them every change I get. I am one of your subscribers in bloglines. Please keep up the good work, I am reading!!!!!
As the technology coordinator in a K-3 school, I find it so easy to plan and execute lessons for my little people. On the other hand, working with staff members allows you to experience just about every form of adult resistance to change!! The organized focus on goals and how to meet them does appear to make the teachers more open to the possiblities for the use of technology as a classroom option. Probably the biggest challenge is to try to encourage their willingness to change and grow as educators and balance that growth against outdated equipment and low budgets.
Rachel, I agree that I find it easier to plan for the kids than for the adults. Right now I’m in the midst of report cards, meetings about initiatives and basketball season but, despite the business of my life, I’m always throwing ideas out to teachers about using technology to enhance what they are doing. I just wish that it wasn’t like pulling teeth on a charging rhino! And it always isn’t just the teachers. I’ve a small class of very unmotivated teens who I struggle with just to do some work and we’re doing some pretty new stuff - making podcasts and blogging. Our next venture will be video casts. They just don’t seem to be interested in anything even when I let them pick topics. They’d rather just sit, listen to music and game all period. AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!
Although I have been blogging for almost a year now it has only been in the last few weeks that I have begun finding other administrative voices. I am looking forward to getting to know you through your blog. I am the principal of a Pre-K to 8 Catholic School in the Los Angeles area. Creating systemic change in a school is a daunting task and it is different than bringing Web 2.0 into a self contained classroom so it is great to have someone to share the journey with…
Hi, Kelly - how nice it is to come across a blogging principal. And thank you for the comment on my blog.
I was a primary school headteacher in Scotland for almost 10 years (2 schools) and I will forever admire the strength, perseverance and good humour required of every effective principal!
[...] Kelly and I have slightly different views on the subject of conversation in twitter. I love the fact [...]
Wow!!! Great blog. I think the teachers in your school are very lucky to have such a forward thinking principal. I teach technology to Pre-Service teachers and I will adding your blog to their reading.
Hi Kelly,
There are a few comments I’d like to make about what you’re doing–
Your open thoughtfulness is making waves. I’ve read your blog posts and felt a sense of relief, of shared purpose, of validation for what I’m trying to do as a teacher and teacher-leader. I remember some of the earlier posts, where you were making new year’s resolutions, or even earlier, when you were wondering aloud how to get the teachers you work with to get involved in technology. It’s as if you were feeling like a lone cry in the daily wilderness of school life, the one howling that there is a world out there that could be brought inside our days…
There’s ample evidence now that you are being heard. And that you’re affecting people in a lot of places, the cool wave of your encouragement washing over them. I’d like to say thank you–
for being an administrator who’s into technology, who’s deep-thinking
who is self-reflective
who is working for bringing the best to both teachers and students
As I’ve said before, may your influence spread!
cheers, kudos…
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