Archive for the 'Dr. Ash Updates' Category

Travelling Through Transition: Day one – Here We Come!

Check out Dr. Ash’s back to school reflection: “Travelling through transition”. Thanks to Dr. Ash for keeping us in mind and prayer!

Travelling Through Transition: Day one – Here We Come!

“Behold, children are a gift from the lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3-5) In the words of my Irish Language: BEIR BUA (May You Succeed!!)

Hurry up or you’ll miss the bus! Where is my backpack? Did you brush your teeth? I wonder who’ll be in my class?

This is what might be heard in Catholic homes across Ontario on Tuesday Sept 6th, day one of the new school year.

Parents will be scurrying madly in preparations for their children’s return. Anxiety levels will be at an all time high following a summer of “routine de-programming”

What awaits your child? Transition…Transition…Transition.

Students will be introduced to some or all of the following transitions: A change in teacher, classroom, grade, school, community, curriculum, and classmates.

Parents are prone to worry all day while they await the supper time analysis from their child. Remember that they have experienced a day filled with a Tsunami of transition. Your response should be reflective, as you listen attentively to their day and tempered with your understanding of the natural first day jitters and uncertainty.

The key to a successful year is based on our Catholic sense of belonging. The Irish phrase: “Cead Mile Failte” – A Hundred Thousand Welcomes endorses the importance of welcomeness.

Your child requires a warm welcome from the moment he/she sets foot in their school. Their uniquely individual needs must be affirmed, be they learning, or intellectual disabilities, personality quirks, interests or challenges. It is essential to remember that, “God created us in his image and likeness” (Genesis 1:27)

Belonging is key to building self-esteem. Students’ levels vary on the self-esteem measurement scale. They require different infusion amounts of T.L.C. (Tender, Loving, Care) in a classroom that welcomes and validates the variety of learners. This process is an ongoing creation that empowers your child to be successful because they feel valued as integral members of a gospel values based class community. A place where God can look down and see his value for each human life perpetuated in the daily life of our school. Transition is defined as change. Change is as we know constant. That first day parents will attempt to navigate the turbulent waters of the school system. Their success will require compassion, understanding, patience, and unconditional love, the same offerings given to us by the Good Lord.

Dr.Ashleigh Molloy
Director Transformation Education Institute
OAPCE Lifetime Member

Dr. Ash Reflects on Role Models

Click here or visit the Dr Ash tab to see his latest reflection on “role models.”

Dr. Ash | November Update!

Boys: The New Reality in Gender Learning Styles

There are definite differences boys and girls experience within the education system. It is evident from research that the education system is failing to address the learning needs of male students and these in part are related to pertinent issues surrounding gender learning styles and brain functioning. The fact that males lead in every special education category, are much more commonly medicated than females really got me thinking…Although I have been aware of the gender discrepancies that exist within the classroom, I honestly did not realize how grave the problem was and how excessive the dropout rate is among our male population until I began pursuit of statistics and conducted my research on the problem.

Continue reading ‘Dr. Ash | November Update!’

Dr. Ash | Book Review

Gurian, Michael and Kathy Stevens: The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and Life.

This book is an excellent resource for both teacher and parents. Those of us who are teachers and parents of boys are well aware of the differences between the sexes in terms of behaviour and learning styles; however, we are often at a loss to find scientific and practical information regarding gender differences.

Continue reading ‘Dr. Ash | Book Review’

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) OISE/UT Chapter Presents:

The Brain and Gender Learning Differences – What Is It All About?

Dr. Ashleigh Molloy has a PhD in special education and is the President of the CEC. He is an author and internationally renowned speaker who has appeared on radio and television, and presents at conferences worldwide. Dr. Ash will discuss how social, physiological, and brain differences influence how boys and girls learn.

Thursday, November 18th 5:30-7:00 pm
OISE 5-280
$2 for CEC members,$5 for non-members

Please RSVP to cecchapter1175@utoronto.ca as there are limited spaces

*Everyone will receive a certificate upon completion of the workshop