Behind the Chalkboard
Behind the Chalkboard
Get practical wisdom and fresh perspectives from superintendents, principals, and innovative teachers tackling education's biggest challenges.
Get practical wisdom and fresh perspectives from superintendents, principals, and innovative teachers tackling education's biggest challenges.
Episode 22
Principal Grace McCallum on Leading Innovation at Branksome Hall
Education Insights with Branksome Hall's Principal
🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes Grace McCallum, Head of School at Branksome Hall, sharing her journey from classroom teacher to educational leader across four continents.
👧 Early Influences: From decorating cakes at Dairy Queen to working alongside her sisters at Lawton's Drugstore, these early employment experiences shaped her approach to hard work and relationships.
🏫 Leadership Journey: A bold moment walking into her mentor's office with a presentation on why she should be principal at just 28 years old—demonstrating the courage that would define her leadership style.
🌍 Leadership Philosophy: Emphasizing deep listening through one-on-one meetings with all 185 faculty and staff members to truly understand the school community before implementing changes.
💡 Innovation Balance: Approaching school transformation with student-centered, data-driven strategies while honoring the legacy and traditions that make Branksome Hall special.
🎬 Future Vision: Excitement about their new iCAST building featuring woodworking, metalwork, podcasting studios, and their entrepreneurial "noodle program"—creating spaces for innovation and creative problem-solving.
Ep. 22
Principal Grace McCallum on Leading Innovation at Branksome Hall
Education Insights with Branksome Hall's Principal
🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes Grace McCallum, Head of School at Branksome Hall, sharing her journey from classroom teacher to educational leader across four continents.
👧 Early Influences: From decorating cakes at Dairy Queen to working alongside her sisters at Lawton's Drugstore, these early employment experiences shaped her approach to hard work and relationships.
🏫 Leadership Journey: A bold moment walking into her mentor's office with a presentation on why she should be principal at just 28 years old—demonstrating the courage that would define her leadership style.
🌍 Leadership Philosophy: Emphasizing deep listening through one-on-one meetings with all 185 faculty and staff members to truly understand the school community before implementing changes.
💡 Innovation Balance: Approaching school transformation with student-centered, data-driven strategies while honoring the legacy and traditions that make Branksome Hall special.
🎬 Future Vision: Excitement about their new iCAST building featuring woodworking, metalwork, podcasting studios, and their entrepreneurial "noodle program"—creating spaces for innovation and creative problem-solving.
Episode 21
Leadership & Education with John De Faveri
Education Insights with YCDSB's Director of Education
🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes John De Faveri, Director of Education at York Catholic District School Board, sharing wisdom from his extensive career in education leadership.
👦 Early Influences: Growing up as a shy, reflective peacemaker who naturally brought people together—traits that would define his leadership approach.
🏫 Classroom Journey: From his first nervous day teaching Grade 6 to forming lasting connections that transcended academic lessons, highlighting the power of relationships in education.
🌉 Leadership Evolution: Encouraged by mentors who recognized his talent for uniting people, John's path from dedicated teacher to education leader wasn't planned but emerged naturally.
🌍 Inclusion Philosophy: Grounded in the belief that all humans are created equal, John approaches diversity initiatives by focusing on our shared humanity despite our differences.
💡 Technology Balance: Navigating the ethical implementation of AI in education by viewing it as a tool for enhancing higher-order thinking rather than replacing critical skills.
🎬 Personal Insights: A love for classic films, espresso rituals, and mathematical thinking balanced with a self-aware admission about musical abilities! Tune in to hear how John's relationship-centered approach and commitment to innovation are shaping the future of education at YCDSB! 🎓✨
Ep. 21
Leadership & Education with John De Faveri
Education Insights with YCDSB's Director of Education
🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes John De Faveri, Director of Education at York Catholic District School Board, sharing wisdom from his extensive career in education leadership.
👦 Early Influences: Growing up as a shy, reflective peacemaker who naturally brought people together—traits that would define his leadership approach.
🏫 Classroom Journey: From his first nervous day teaching Grade 6 to forming lasting connections that transcended academic lessons, highlighting the power of relationships in education.
🌉 Leadership Evolution: Encouraged by mentors who recognized his talent for uniting people, John's path from dedicated teacher to education leader wasn't planned but emerged naturally.
🌍 Inclusion Philosophy: Grounded in the belief that all humans are created equal, John approaches diversity initiatives by focusing on our shared humanity despite our differences.
💡 Technology Balance: Navigating the ethical implementation of AI in education by viewing it as a tool for enhancing higher-order thinking rather than replacing critical skills.
🎬 Personal Insights: A love for classic films, espresso rituals, and mathematical thinking balanced with a self-aware admission about musical abilities! Tune in to hear how John's relationship-centered approach and commitment to innovation are shaping the future of education at YCDSB! 🎓✨
Episode 20
Leadership and Innovation with Patti MacDonald
Education Insights with Head of School at Montcrest School
🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes Patti MacDonald, Head of School at Montcrest School, where relationships and lifelong learning shape an engaging, inclusive environment.
🚀 Leadership Journey: From public education to independent schools, Patti’s early experience without a prescribed curriculum shaped her student-centered approach.
📚 Innovation & Tradition: Montcrest’s "yes and" philosophy blends technology with essential human skills to prepare students for the future.
🌱 Creating Belonging: How relationships foster a strong sense of belonging among students.
🧠 Neurodiversity & Inclusion: Redesigning Individual Education Plans to amplify student and family voices.
📊 Data-Driven Learning: Using tools like MAP Growth to personalize education and improve outcomes.
🔮 Student Agency: From the "City Skills" program to sustainable uniforms, students co-create their learning experiences.
🎓 Lifelong Learning: Patti’s PhD journey reflects Montcrest’s commitment to continuous education.
Tune in to hear how Patti’s values-driven leadership is shaping Montcrest and beyond! 🎧✨
Ep. 20
Leadership and Innovation with Patti MacDonald
Education Insights with Head of School at Montcrest School
🎙️ LearnIt Podcast welcomes Patti MacDonald, Head of School at Montcrest School, where relationships and lifelong learning shape an engaging, inclusive environment.
🚀 Leadership Journey: From public education to independent schools, Patti’s early experience without a prescribed curriculum shaped her student-centered approach.
📚 Innovation & Tradition: Montcrest’s "yes and" philosophy blends technology with essential human skills to prepare students for the future.
🌱 Creating Belonging: How relationships foster a strong sense of belonging among students.
🧠 Neurodiversity & Inclusion: Redesigning Individual Education Plans to amplify student and family voices.
📊 Data-Driven Learning: Using tools like MAP Growth to personalize education and improve outcomes.
🔮 Student Agency: From the "City Skills" program to sustainable uniforms, students co-create their learning experiences.
🎓 Lifelong Learning: Patti’s PhD journey reflects Montcrest’s commitment to continuous education.
Tune in to hear how Patti’s values-driven leadership is shaping Montcrest and beyond! 🎧✨
Episode 19
Myke Healy on Innovative Teaching and Leadership in Education
Education Insights with Assistant Head of Senior School - Teaching & Learning at Trinity College School
🎙️ In this episode of the LearnIt Podcast, we are excited to host Myke Healy, Assistant Head of Senior School - Teaching & Learning at Trinity College School (TCS). With over 20 years of experience in education, Myke has held multiple leadership roles, shaping innovative academic practices and fostering a dynamic learning environment for students and educators alike.
🚀 Leadership Evolution: Myke shares his journey through various leadership positions at TCS and the key lessons he’s learned along the way.
📚 Innovative Academic Practices: Insights into strategies Myke has implemented to enhance student learning outcomes in a rigorous academic setting.
🎓 Bridging High School and University: Myke's perspective on closing the gap between secondary and post-secondary education, informed by his role as an instructor at Queen’s University.
📝 AP Capstone Experience: How being one of only two Canadians to read the inaugural AP Seminar End-of-Course Exams shaped his approach to assessment and evaluation.
💻 Balancing Technology and Student Well-being: Myke discusses how TCS leverages educational technology while protecting students from potential digital harms.
🔮 Vision for the Future: A look at the innovative practices and technologies Myke hopes to introduce at TCS to continually improve student learning outcomes.
Ep. 19
Myke Healy on Innovative Teaching and Leadership in Education
Education Insights with Assistant Head of Senior School - Teaching & Learning at Trinity College School
🎙️ In this episode of the LearnIt Podcast, we are excited to host Myke Healy, Assistant Head of Senior School - Teaching & Learning at Trinity College School (TCS). With over 20 years of experience in education, Myke has held multiple leadership roles, shaping innovative academic practices and fostering a dynamic learning environment for students and educators alike.
🚀 Leadership Evolution: Myke shares his journey through various leadership positions at TCS and the key lessons he’s learned along the way.
📚 Innovative Academic Practices: Insights into strategies Myke has implemented to enhance student learning outcomes in a rigorous academic setting.
🎓 Bridging High School and University: Myke's perspective on closing the gap between secondary and post-secondary education, informed by his role as an instructor at Queen’s University.
📝 AP Capstone Experience: How being one of only two Canadians to read the inaugural AP Seminar End-of-Course Exams shaped his approach to assessment and evaluation.
💻 Balancing Technology and Student Well-being: Myke discusses how TCS leverages educational technology while protecting students from potential digital harms.
🔮 Vision for the Future: A look at the innovative practices and technologies Myke hopes to introduce at TCS to continually improve student learning outcomes.
© 2025 LearnIt Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2025 LearnIt Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.