I simply wrapped up probably the greatest and most fulfilling weeks of labor I’ve ever had, this time in British Columbia. My colleague Adam Garry and I went full throttle, spending full days in 10 totally different districts, serving to them construct their understanding of Generative AI. After an unimaginable begin to the week—three days that I’ve already raved about—I capped it off with the West Vancouver College District. I’ve labored with this district for over a dozen years, constructing incredible relationships alongside the way in which. The district’s tradition speaks for itself, with its unimaginable stability and little or no turnover. In a room of 60-70 faculty and district leaders, I knew so many by title and had the privilege of watching them evolve of their management roles over time.
Chris Kennedy invited me to kick off their yr by main a day targeted on the dangers and prospects of #genai. I’ll admit, I had my worries. This was their first day again—often reserved for the lighter stuff—and right here I used to be, rolling in with what might be thought-about some fairly heavy and heady content material. I additionally questioned if these of us, who’ve seen me current extra instances than I can rely, could be craving a recent face. So sure, I had my considerations.
However I’ll inform you this: beginning a PL session by taking a gondola journey up Grouse Mountain shouldn’t be a nasty solution to ease into the day. For a prairie boy like me, the setting was nothing in need of magical. We kicked off with some lighthearted enjoyable, poking at my pal Chris Kennedy, who graciously let me use him to demo a deep pretend. Whereas nobody fell for it (clearly), they appreciated the trouble. And in true me-fashion, I spent far too lengthy making a 30-second video—however let’s be trustworthy, I wouldn’t change a factor. One participant instructed me the day flew by, which is all the time an excellent signal.
To prime all of it off, they showered me with extra swag than I deserved. (Facet observe: Chris Kennedy doesn’t like being outdone, and I’ve been recognized to boast in regards to the superior swag different districts give me, so I feel this was his method of constructing positive West Van stays within the sport.)
We ended the day with a incredible dinner on a patio, and what really took me abruptly was how many individuals took the time to return as much as me, not simply to say thanks, however to share particular moments and concepts from the day that resonated with them. They didn’t have to do this, however they did—and it overwhelmed me with gratitude. I’ve delivered 1000’s of displays in my profession, however this one stands out as one of the satisfying. As I soaked of their sort phrases, it hit me that this wasn’t only a one-off expression of thanks. This district’s success comes from the way in which they reside gratitude each day. Their college students and employees expertise it repeatedly—it’s a part of what makes them wish to come to work, and why they take pleasure in being in one another’s firm.
I hesitate to make use of the phrase “household” as a result of it will get thrown round too typically, however this place actually does really feel particular. From the Trustees to the Superintendent, from District Management to the College Leaders and Academics—they care about one another and, extra importantly, they care for one another.
A number of themes have stayed with me all through my profession, with pleasure and neighborhood being proper on the prime. Today was an ideal instance of each. I’d prefer to suppose I contributed to that, however I undoubtedly know I obtained it.