This is the beginning of yet another side journey for me. As my kids would tell me, "This isn’t my first rodeo"!

For year teacher professional development and learning has been a focus of mine. Mostly, I’ve been interested because when I began as a teacher I wasn’t very good. I didn’t really have a clue what I was doing and stumbled through the first couple years hoping to figure it out. In fact, after my second year I was convinced I wasn’t going to make it as a teacher. My wife and decided to venture off to seek out a new frontier. The beginning of a life together moving from one place to another as I tried to find my place.

Oh, I did return to teaching.

Grade 7. It was here I really began to explore teacher PD, trying to figure out this whole teaching thing. I attended conferences, went to iservices, read books and journals, all in the pursuit of figuring out how to be a better teacher.

Eventually I returned to university and graduated with an MEd in Educational Leadership which led to a shift from the classroom to becoming a principal.

But I didn’t stop looking and seeking. I continued to ask questions and wonder; what makes some teachers experience success and growth while others, like me, often struggle as they try to improve.

For the next 13 years I would move my family around the province of Saskatchewan, seeking to understand my place as an educator/leader.

Finally, I realized that maybe I needed to step away and go in a different direction. Maybe my place wasn’t where I was at the moment. Maybe I had something else to do.

Truth be told, I grew tired. Tired of many things but mostly, I realized that where I was wasn’t where I needed to be.

Another change.

Another move.

For the past 5 years I have been exploring and studying teacher professional learning and development as I work toward a PhD in Curriculum Studies. Through it all, I continue to ask questions about teaching and teacher learning and the role of professional learning in the development of teachers.

I believe that we are where we are for a reason. What we do before this point is helping to prepare us for where we are now. All my searching and seeking has brought me to this point.

How long it will last I have no idea.

It will be one step at a time!

I hope you’ll join me as I start part of my journey!

"Every day is a PD day"

#myPDtoday

Join me as I explore why I believe this is so important for teachers in today’s world and how teaches can make daily learning a habit!