LEARNing Online

Here we are again.  Teacher appreciation day!  Last year I said that every day, every week should be teacher appreciation day.  I still believe that, and maybe now more than ever.

Some of you surely have noticed I follow you on Twitter.  You see the “likes” and on rare occasions I may comment.  Mostly I am watching and I am impressed.  The quality of the work and the sheer commitment to the students is heart-warming and impressive.  For your love of students and for the work you do, I am most appreciative.  For your commitment and perseverance, I am indebted to you.  You do not hear it often enough, or cannot hear too often.  You are important.  The work you do is critical to our collective future.

I want to also extend my thanks to those who help make this happen and who more often than not, work in the shadows.  The leadership provided by Maggie and Dianne is critical.  The support of the Shawville staff and tech crew is core to the realization of this dream we call e-learning/blended learning.

Thank you on my behalf, on behalf of LEARN, and on behalf of the community we serve.

Michael

To Our LEARN Teachers

The other day I received a much appreciated compliment from a colleague about the great work I was doing at LEARN.  Of course I was pleased, but mostly very proud because I know that the real reason I received this praise was because of our “e-Learning” instructional team’s accomplishments that occur year after year.

Over the last 17 years, I have had the opportunity to work with a number of incredible educators who take their careers and the needs of learners very seriously.  Now and then I get the chance to sit in on your brainstorming and PD discussions, learning about what is innovative and what can be added to your classes to enhance learning.  I hear about the successes our students are experiencing and the enjoyment you are having teaching these students. I am regularly amazed at what is happening in the online sessions, as well as what is continued outside this environment with social media.    Your efforts provide stability, security, motivation and compassion, which innately determines if a student will like a subject or even like to go to school.   The true role of an educator is to provide the opportunity for learners to learn about the world in a way that relates to them. You have all taken the time needed to do this, to learn about your students and you have brought their reality to the learning environment, on an ongoing basis. You are the heart and soul of our organization.

As I watch each of you I see educators who care about what takes place in relation to your students’ learning and their lives.  You are supportive, helpful, kind and thoughtful.  Your efforts definitively indicate that teaching is not just a job but a calling, and you provide learners with everything they need to soar and blossom.  You inspire, assist, and provide a shoulder to lean on. You are reliable, sympathetic and change learners’ lives every day.  So I gladly accepted the compliment that was given, but also let my friend know that alone I would never have had the opportunity to know what great dedication and innovation can produce.  Thanks to all of you for providing great opportunities for our learners across our Province.

Maggie

Make a resolution to join our first Twitter chat of the New Year!

Thursday, January 12, 7:30 – 8 PM

Happy Holidays from the online teaching team!

Classes will resume on January 10, 2017.

Our first LEARN Twitter Chat of the school year is coming on Tuesday, November 22 from 7:30 – 8 PM

#LQchat is a FUN way to connect with your online classmates and teachers, outside of class.

Here are SOME TIPS to make the Twitter Chat more enjoyable.

Happy Online Learning Day!!

LEARN (and a precursor DECN) has been providing opportunities for online learning across Quebec since 1999!

What is your online learning story?

New timetable for start up for LEARN classes:

It was an honour and pleasure to have Premier Philippe Couillard and Education Minister Sébastien Proulx, as well as MNA for les Iles de la Madeleine, M. Gemain Chevarie,  visit an online class via Grosse Ile School on Thursday, May 5.