An Interview with Dr. Phil Echols
Small Fires
“We have a responsibility to learn and grow and to be aware of our privileges…and how we might use those for people who may not have the same access and opportunities that were afforded to us.” With pleasure, I bring you an interview with Dr. Phil Echols. We share a passion for Adaptive Schools approaches for effective collaborative groups and Cognitive Coaching through the organization Thinking Collaborative. Dr. Phil Echols has been a former teacher, school counselor, and administrator of professional learning. He is currently a Diversity Specialist for WakeMed Health...
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EP15 An Interview with John Clarke
Small Fires
This episonde is long overdue since John Clarke has been such a significant influence on me and on many others. John Clarke has been my mentor, coach and friend for nearly ten years. While John presents the Adaptive Schools Seminars, he also provides Cognitive Coaching seminars as well. I have benefitted from being on the receiving end of his cognitive coaching, leading me to sign up for the Cognitive Coaching training that John will be facilitating for BC principals starting in August 2023: ( John Clarke is a Training Associate for Thinking Collaborative (Maximizing Capacity in Individuals...
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EP14 An Interview with Carolyn McKanders
Small Fires
With pleasure, I bring you another Small Fires episode, highlighting a conversation with a cherished Thinking Collaborative leader, Carolyn McKanders. Carolyn’s background includes 28 years of experience in Detroit Public Schools as a teacher, counsellor and staff development specialist. Currently she presents seminars internationally on developing Adaptive Schools and organizations, and Cognitive Coaching℠. She also provides polarity management training, which supports organizations in identifying and managing competing tensions inherent in social systems. Carolyn McKanders is the former...
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EP13 An Interview with Carolee Hayes
Small Fires
Carolee Hayes has had a long career as an educational leader in both Cognitive Coaching and Adaptive Schools. She has also been a Co-Director for Thinking Collaborative. In this interview, Carolee shares her career journey and how when she was asked by Art Costa and Robert Garmston to lead the Cognitive Coaching work in its early years with Jane Ellison, it was the greatest honour of her career. Carolee brings her graciousness, vision, and hopefulness to this episode, as she describes what she has learned about leadership, what has influenced her thinking, the importance of a...
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EP12 An Interview with Andrea McComb
Small Fires
Andrea McComb is the Principal of Learning Services for the Coquitlam School District here in British Columbia as well as an Adaptive Schools Agency Trainer with Thinking Collaborative. In this interview, Andrea shares what gives her joy in her life, what brought her to pursuing the Adaptive Schools work and what influences she is noticing in her leadership with others as she engages in the work. In the introduction, Lucinda mentions the work of Lisa Kirk, an artist in the Comox Valley, who facilitates Pure Process Art sessions as a way to engage in the deeper meaning of our lives,...
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EP11 An Interview with Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser
Small Fires
Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser are beloved educational leaders here in British Columbia, the Yukon and beyond. Their work promoting the spiral of inquiry, to guide collaborative work amongst educators, continues to be relevant to improve the learning for all students. In this interview, they share their journey from earlier beginnings, with the Network of Performance Based Schools, to the present with the Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education. They share their highlights, challenges and on-going hope for the future. Such an honour to interview these inspirational leaders! For further...
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EP10 An Interview with Paula Gosal
Small Fires
Paula Gosal is the Principal of Chilliwack Middle School in British Columbia. As a busy and experienced administrator, with a full life outside of school, she talks about what is important to her as she navigates her different life roles. An area of interest for Paula is how to support women leaders and provide safe contexts for them to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Currently Paula is enrolled in a doctoral program through Kansas University in Educational Leadership and Policy. In the interview introduction, Lucinda refers to a "Women In Leadership Conversation" that...
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EP9 An Interview with Doreen Miori Merola
Small Fires
Doreen Miori-Merola is the Co-Director of Thinking Collaborative. Doreen talks about her journey in educational leadership and how the work of Cognitive Coaching and Adaptive Schools helped her develop skills in mediating others' thinking. Doreen highlights the importance of being able to engage in cognitive conflict, and how diverse perspectives are a positive aspect of effective collaborative groups. She also articulates the importance of using the Adaptive Schools strategies and processes in online meetings. Certainly relevant to our current Covid-19 reality.
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EP8 An Interview with Carol Brooks Simoneau
Small Fires
Carol Brooks Simoneau is the Co-Director of Thinking Collaborative. In this interview, Carol shares her journey as an educational leader, which began as a reading specialist. What clearly comes through is Carol's thoughtful identity, in connection with her beliefs and values, that informs her leadership choices.
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EP7: A Gathering of Oneself During Quarantine
Small Fires
Lucinda shares her reflections during three weeks of quarantine. The book, "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters," provided an opportunity for reflection, alongside her experience of being stuck in her room alone. She realizes she was hiding aspects of herself away, in pursuit of a more cookie cutter leadership approach and recommits to being true to her authenticity.
info_outlineAndrea McComb is the Principal of Learning Services for the Coquitlam School District here in British Columbia as well as an Adaptive Schools Agency Trainer with Thinking Collaborative. In this interview, Andrea shares what gives her joy in her life, what brought her to pursuing the Adaptive Schools work and what influences she is noticing in her leadership with others as she engages in the work.
In the introduction, Lucinda mentions the work of Lisa Kirk, an artist in the Comox Valley, who facilitates Pure Process Art sessions as a way to engage in the deeper meaning of our lives, through painting. Both Andrea and Lucinda have participated in these sessions and benefitted from them which is why Lisa's classes come up in this episode.
If you are interested in knowing more about Lisa Kirk's art sessions, please visit https://lisakirk.ca/page/pure_process_art_classes
Thank you for listening.