loader from loading.io

Students Share Journey of Learning and Yearly Highlights with School Leadership

The WAB Podcast

Release Date: 06/14/2024

Empowering Students Through Social-Emotional Learning show art Empowering Students Through Social-Emotional Learning

The WAB Podcast

In the ninth episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast, Grade 11 student Chloe, Grade 8 student Luca, and Rachel George, Head of Middle School Counseling, joined us to discuss the significance of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program at WAB. Their conversation highlighted how SEL is integral to a holistic educational approach, fostering personal growth and active student participation.  Rachel explained that SEL transcends lessons; it empowers students to improve their social-emotional skills by leveraging real-life situations. She outlines five core components of SEL: self-awareness,...

info_outline
Boosting Confidence & Fostering Connections through Theater show art Boosting Confidence & Fostering Connections through Theater

The WAB Podcast

Welcome to the eighth episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast. In this episode, Grade 9 student Sophie, Grade 10 student James, and their Theater teacher Leah Bramley joined us to discuss the Middle School and High School Theatre programs at WAB. They talked about how theater can improve communication and collaboration skills, their memorable experiences in theatre, and how they built self-confidence and fostered friendships along the way. Leah discussed the structured progression from Middle School to High School theater. In Middle School, all students rotate through a a unit of theater, with...

info_outline
Exploring Math Learning in Middle School show art Exploring Math Learning in Middle School

The WAB Podcast

Welcome to the seventh episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast. In this episode, we were joined by four Grade 8 students - Adrien, Elsa, Gustav, and Veronica, along with their Maths teachers Tracey Brown and Karen Jewett. Together, they had a comprehensive discussion about maths learning in WAB’s Middle School, diving into the differences between self-directed learning and teacher-directed learning. The students also highlighted their favorite aspects of learning maths at WAB and the reasons behind them.   Tracey provided an overview of the personalized maths learning in our Middle...

info_outline
Student Magazine Illuminating Social Issues show art Student Magazine Illuminating Social Issues

The WAB Podcast

Welcome to the sixth episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast. In this episode, we were joined by three Grade 12 students - Polly, Lily, and Sophia - who are the driving force behind the Youth Magazine, Utopix. Together, they discussed the development of this student-founded magazine, its organizational structure, its mission, and the challenges they have overcome along the way.  Polly introduced Utopix as an online magazine dedicated to raising awareness about various social issues and highlighting changemakers through submissions from teenagers worldwide. Submissions can take various...

info_outline
Transforming Education: WAB's Award-Winning ES Library Redesign show art Transforming Education: WAB's Award-Winning ES Library Redesign

The WAB Podcast

Welcome to the fifth episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast, where we're excited to announce that WAB's Elementary School (ES) Library has won an Interior Design Award. Joining us in this episode are Architect Erica Borsa from Studio Vapore, Catherine Pierre, WAB's Elementary School Principal, and Beth Rohrbeck, Elementary School Librarian. Together, they talked about the redesign journey of our ES Library, discussing the collaborative efforts behind this community project, its impact on learning experiences, and the feedback received from our students. Erica shared that the Interior Design...

info_outline
Middle Schoolers explore Science through Hands-on, Personalized Learning show art Middle Schoolers explore Science through Hands-on, Personalized Learning

The WAB Podcast

Welcome to the fourth episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast. In this episode, Grade 7 student Karina and Grade 8 student Sam shared their experiences learning science in Middle School, shedding light on how they are challenged and the support they receive. Middle School science teachers Kamil Rudolf and Greg Brown emphasized the exploratory and personalized approach to science learning at WAB and shared some tips on how parents can support their middle school scientists.  Kamil used an example from the study of the solar system to illustrate the hands-on learning approach. Students...

info_outline
Student Takeover: Meet WAB's New Athletics & Activities Director show art Student Takeover: Meet WAB's New Athletics & Activities Director

The WAB Podcast

Welcome to the third episode of Season 5 of the WAB podcast. In this episode, Grade 12 student Victoria and Grade 11 student Tano have taken over as hosts to interview Mr. Kirby Boychuk, WAB's new Athletics & Activities Director. During the conversation, Kirby shared his experiences in education, his reason for coming to WAB, and his plan for further developing student leadership this year.  Drawing from his beginnings in theater and music, Kirby recounted his journey from theater to physical education and then becoming an athletic director. He emphasized how this transition enabled...

info_outline
A Student-Led Dialogue with Baba the Storyteller show art A Student-Led Dialogue with Baba the Storyteller

The WAB Podcast

Welcome to the second episode of the Season 5 WAB podcast. In this episode, two Grade 12 students, Andy and Jeremy from High School student club Art Amplifiers have taken over as hosts to interview Baba the Storyteller, who visited WAB recently to share his insights on Building Our Learning Community with Our Shared Stories. They talked about Baba's personal stories, his musical journey, and his experiences at WAB.  Baba introduced his travels throughout the world sharing music and culture, through his practice of an ancient African tradition called Jaliyaa in the Bamana language, or...

info_outline
Student Takeover: School Leadership Sharing Insights on WAB's Past and Future show art Student Takeover: School Leadership Sharing Insights on WAB's Past and Future

The WAB Podcast

Welcome back to the WAB Podcast, this is the first episode of Season 5. In this episode, High School Student Council President and Grade 12 student Jeremy, and Grade 8 student Jai have taken over as hosts to interview WAB's Head of School, Dr. Marta Medved Krajnovic, and the Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching, Mr. Stephen Taylor.    Highlights from the conversation included:  WAB's 30th anniversary  Marta shared her anticipation around all the 30th-anniversary events. She explained how these big anniversaries are a great opportunity for a school and the whole...

info_outline
Students Share Journey of Learning and Yearly Highlights with School Leadership show art Students Share Journey of Learning and Yearly Highlights with School Leadership

The WAB Podcast

In our final podcast of the year, we're joined in person by two Middle School students, Hayley and Thomas, along with Stephen Taylor, WAB's Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching. Together, they discussed their personal growth as learners throughout the year, favorite moments, and academic highlights. Sharing their perspectives through some pre-recordings are Grade 4 students Hayden and Sooyeon, and Grade 9 student Myron.   Thomas shared his growth as a student, overcoming initial challenges to catch up with his peers and reach the same level of understanding. "I've grown quite a...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

In our final podcast of the year, we're joined in person by two Middle School students, Hayley and Thomas, along with Stephen Taylor, WAB's Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching. Together, they discussed their personal growth as learners throughout the year, favorite moments, and academic highlights. Sharing their perspectives through some pre-recordings are Grade 4 students Hayden and Sooyeon, and Grade 9 student Myron.  

Thomas shared his growth as a student, overcoming initial challenges to catch up with his peers and reach the same level of understanding. "I've grown quite a lot," he said. He emphasized how the science showcase allowed students to investigate an area of science that really interested them, and how he chose to look into how sound frequencies affect marine life. 

Hayley highlighted her interest and involvement in drama and the support she received from teachers and friends, creating a friendly and supportive learning environment. She shared that one of her favorite memories this year was her participation in the Middle School play.

After listening to the students' feedback on their learning journey this year, Stephen emphasized the value of students' reflections, highlighting the importance of listening to students and offering opportunities for them to explore new endeavors. He mentioned that various initiatives like the science showcase, MADfest, and student leadership, provided "really challenging experiences" for our students. "It always comes back to the definition of learning. That learning is transformative, it's intentional, it's iterative, but it's also challenging and joyful at the same time."  

For more student insights into their learning journey this year, don't miss out on this episode.