LMS Educational Consulting

One of the things that always resonates with me during and after a Play Is The Way workshop, is just how much we grow as educators as we meander through the strategies in PITW that assist us in guiding our kids through their own emotional regulation processes. I’ve personally learned and continue to learn, that no matter what I’m feeling, eventually that feeling will lift and be replaced by another feeling. Sometimes good and sometimes bad. I often look back and remember how... often a strong feeling would cause me to react (and they still do) in the wrong way. However, everyday I challenge myself and those around me to try not to become a victim to those feelings. Instead, I encourage my students to feel their emotions and to breathe through them, so we can learn to live with them, without reacting poorly. This is incredibly important because we need emotions, just like we need a certain level of anxiety, they are necessary for our survival ! Emotional intelligence / regulation is so crucial to all of our personal developments and inner growth. I cannot wait to get back on the road to collaborate and explore this fascinating program with educators across the country once again. We’re so close my friends, so very close ! www.playistheway.ca

I want to thank my Zia Paola for posting this as the timing seems like it could not be more crucial as we head back in to the trenches after spring break. To t...ranslate, the statement being made is that we should always try putting ourselves in others shoes more often. And to ask ourselves what if it was me instead of him? How would I act and what would I learn about myself? Put that into perspective as you meander through the next few months and try and remember that just because you cannot see a child’s trauma, or an adults personal angst, it does not mean it does not exist. www.playistheway.ca

A snow storm may have slowed the morning, but it was another great Play Is The Way day. Participants came from Princeton, Clinton, Ashcroft, Merritt, Kelowna, Kamloops and yes one brave soul made it through the snow storm coming from Clearwater ! Martha Chillihitzia was able to record one of our local elders (N’Kwala) telling the traditional story of the Nicola Eagle and its significance to their ancestors in the Valley. This story resonated with all of us and tied direct...ly to one of the Play is the ways key concepts: We don’t come to school to be better than others. We come to school to be better ourselves by being able to work with others. We were also very fortunate to have Travais Oppenheim talk about two of his spirit animals (Raven and Sasquatch), outlining his traditional journey for us that strung from Albuquerque, New Mexico all the way back to Merritt, BC. He provided a strong link and cultural guide into Play Is The Way philosophy. Travais’ cultural connection and story provides an example of how we can teach our kids about Indigenous culture and connect it to their own personal growth and struggles (no matter how big or small). Play is the Way easily embeds indigenous culture into its core philosophy about the importance in understanding and managing ones emotions so that they can face all challenges in life. www.playistheway.ca

Very excited and honoured to write an article about Play Is The Way and its impact on education for the British Columbia Principal and Vice Principal’s annual magazine: Leading Back to School. Please click the following link to read the article: http://www.playistheway.ca//play-a_way_to_prepare_for_lear... www.playistheway.ca

It has been a solid month with the phone ringing off the hook, emails coming fast and furious and a mixed bag of emotions from parents, students and staff that ranges from excitement and jubilation to nervousness and fear. Social Emotional Learning (well-being), based on this past month (and much longer), has never been more important, not only in educational circles but within our communities as a whole. The article below should resonate with anyone working in education rega...rdless of your geography or position in your school. SEL was important pre-Covid, but now, it’s crucial! Research supports that students who attend schools prioritizing SEL, have better outcomes such as higher academic achievement, more prosocial behavior, fewer conduct problems, and reduced emotional distress! It is evident, even amongst parents, employers, principals, teachers, and students, just how critical SEL is. www.playistheway.ca

Thank you to all the Teachers, Educations Assistants, First Nation Support Workers, Custodians, Clerical, Cafeteria and Admin staff for an unbelievable week that exuded a level of comradery I haven’t seen in a long time! Week by week team www.playistheway.ca

Last March our educational world was turned upside down by something none of us could have predicted. Since then, we’ve all struggled to prepare for our new normal. Many educators have been working tirelessly most of the summer to prepare for today and we’re now here. The quotes below really resonated with me the past month while working through all the obstacles in preparation for this upcoming school year (especially the one with the cowboy in the picture, my niece Rylei...gh shared this memory from her dad at the prefect time a few weeks ago) and I wanted to share these meaningful words with all of my friends in education and all my friends with children going back to school and hopefully offer you all some inspiration as we journey forward through this new normal. Buona Fortuna Amici Miei www.playistheway.ca

As we get closer to start-up and we plan for our new normal please do not lose sight of the importance of play based learning to enhance the creative and critical thinking skills in our students, not to mention the communication skills that prosper greatly in play! www.playistheway.ca

Very proud to participate in Natasha Omori’s Engaged Literacy workshop today! Natasha is a presenter with LMS Educational Consulting and she did an incredible job educating teachers from the Lower Nicola Indian Band School on what an engaging holistic literacy program needs to look like in order to ensure all students, regardless of level, can succeed ! Great job Ms. Omori ! ... www.playistheway.ca

I could not have said it better myself. Play is by far the best catalyst for engaging our kids in their learning. Academically and emotionally! www.playistheway.ca

I’m very happy and excited to announce the re-launch of the new and improved Play Is The Way Website. Please click the link, check it out and share with any and all educators you know. www.playistheway.ca ... A huge thanks to Kendall Sirak and her family's local graphic design company http://joltstudios.com/ ! Please support local and thank you for your on going support of Play Is The Way

Wow ! This gave me goosebumps! You have to watch this !! www.playistheway.ca

Too all my friends out there, this is a must read. Heart breaking Thanks for sharing Angelica Brooks! #Blacklivesmatter #Indigenouslivesmatter. ... www.playistheway.ca

Virtual Grad 2020! Interesting experience but I’m very happy to have had this experience with two great administrators www.playistheway.ca

Good Morning my friends ! I feel very fortunate to have a mentor like Wilson McCaskill (founder of Play Is The Way) as bouncing thoughts and ideas off him are ...welcomed with open arms. The best part however, is how he can transform my ramblings into an inspirational thought. Recently, I was digging into how self-soothing strategies are so crucial to a child’s (and adults) emotional wealth and to the continuation of developing strong character in children as they grow into adults. The following was a tiny piece of Wilson’s response. I had to share as it resonated with me immensely and hopefully will with everyone else who believes in the development of social emotional well-being of our children (and ourselves). www.playistheway.ca

Hello to all my teacher friends out there especially FRENCH IMMERSION TEACHERS! I would normally not resort to using Facebook to advertise a job, but French Immersion teachers are highly sought after in this province and especially in Merritt, BC. We are literally a diamond in the rough!! We are not just about the Merritt Mountain Music Festival! We are within 1-2 hours of numerous world class ski resorts, 45 minutes from Kamloops, an hour from kelowna and only 2 hours to... Vancouver. The fly fishing is amazing, with a lake a day as long as you stay. Our hiking and mountain bike trails are world class. It’s affordable to live here and we are an amazing compilation of people. Amazing indigenous communities, ranches as far as the eye can see, and a modern infrastructure, but most of all we are just straight up hospitable ! Please check out the posting below and get a hold of me if you would love to live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth ! www.playistheway.ca