On behalf of the Waterloo Region District School Board, welcome to the 4th annual Ontario GAFE Summit. In reflecting back on our 1st summit, this has been an absolutely amazing journey – still going strong with sellout participation each year.

Before we begin, I want to extend a sincere thank you to ECI Principal Jeff Klinck and his staff for their efforts and openness to support this event. I also want to thank the many people in IT Services and the EdTech team who have contributed to the preparations for the weekend.

And, thank YOU for giving your time this weekend. Not just any weekend – a historic weekend. Why?  Last night SpaceX landed a stage one Falcon rocket on a floating drone barge.  Wow!  When I watched the recording on YouTube I couldn’t help but make a couple of connections to our Summit event today.  One – this is mathematics and problem solving at its best, and two, watching the rockets trajectory reminded me of the many conversations I have had with Donna Fry about the importance of professional learning  to fuel opportunities to change the trajectory of a student.

I have a hope for this weekend.

My hope is that as you participate, learn, network, make new connections, discuss and trade ideas that you will  TAKE ACTION  with what you learn this weekend.  I challenge you to share and make your learning visible. Please start conversations, participate in online sharing, and blog about your experiences to support the learning of others.  Become part of the Ontario Wave of Change by keeping the ripples moving in positive directions.

Enjoy your learning experience!!!

Ready!

Watch the SpaceX webcast

~Mark