Can you imagine being in a high school you love with no bells, no classes, a place where every student has chosen to be there and where testing and learning happens when and how a student chooses. I can ... I happily go there everyday as a counsellor.

My name is Susan Spellman Cann. 36 years ago I came to Alberta by myself from Nova Scotia with 5 boxes and 500 dollars to a place where I knew nobody ! Little did I know how my life would turn out.
Life can be like that we think it will go one way only to find out it can take many unexpected twists and turns.

Self directed learning is a little like that some students don't know what to expect or think they can't do self directed learning only to find out that it is amazing.
I absolutely love working at BCHS with students who are passionate about so many things. They INSPIRE me!

Loving what we do is essential to our profession Let's just say childhood was challenging for me. I believe I lead with my heart because of all the things that have happened to form me into who I am , the exceptional friendships I am privileged to have and especially the love of the most decent man in the world I know ... my husband.

Little did I know that I would have a family that I love more than life itself. Has it impacted my teaching and counselling? You bet!


I'm curious how love has impacted what you do everyday as an educator or as a person ?

Leadership
especially digital leadership matters more now than ever . There are so many great leaders that surround us and I believe we need to celebrate them


I think about ...

our secretary who sits with a student screaming with pain attacks for hours on end sometimes
our admin. assistant who talks every day with a boy who has mental health challenges
our library ladies who organize survivor pools or make videos to bring cheer to our whole staff

In our self directed high school we have amazing student leadership
Who's Frank ?
MWEllness Team
Our students are inspiring I always say I am in awe of them everyday

3 years ago I decided to be a digital learner my self by jumping into etmooc even though I was scared and not an edtech person
Now I tweet blog any blog using my ed tech skills to help students , others and myself

I am so grateful that I love what I do in a self- directed High School that I am a School Counsellor and a digital leader who believes we need to pay it forward to give back what we have been given that is why I share as much as possible on #sccrowd and why #etmooc set up the mario couros bursary for a new teacher in honour of Alec Couros who has helped us all so much . If you'd like to know more about the bursary please feel free to ask you too can make a difference l