Author: Peter LeBlanc

I Have Prostate Cancer

Featured ~ Peter LeBlanc ~ 2 Comments

Seems like an odd way to start a blog post, especially for a guy who has posted nothing in this space for the past two years. But, I suspect it got you reading at least this far. That was my intent. ðŸ˜Š

I don’t state it for sympathy. I don’t need sympathy.  My diagnosis occurred in November 2022 so this is news that has been part of my reality for over a year. It is also news that I have NOT been very public about. My wife and my children know. My wife’s family knows. Some of my friends know. 

And Maggie, my esthetician.

This post is partially her fault. 

Continue reading “I Have Prostate Cancer” →

Two Years Abroad pt. 3 – Learning & Leading (and finding my groove)

~ Peter LeBlanc

Learning about the community and the leadership work and finding my groove as the new principal of the Canadian Section of SHAPE IS.

For Part 1 of this multi-part series, click here.

For Part 2, click here.

On July 2, we watched movers load our possessions, one by one, into a 40-foot shipping container.  The Department of National Defence took good care of us during our move. We packed nothing. We moved nothing. We loaded nothing. The Canadian moving crew was amazing.  Once packed and loaded, we spent one full week in temporary accommodations in Canada. We stayed local so that we could walk to the house, now empty, to take care of our two cats, before jumping on our flight.   I also chose to store my car instead of having it shipped overseas. 

Continue reading “Two Years Abroad pt. 3 – Learning & Leading (and finding my groove)” →

Two years abroad – Pt. 2 – Leading Towards (our departure)

~ Peter LeBlanc

Two years abroad – Pt. 2 – Leading Towards (our departure)

For Pt. 1 – Leading Up, please see my previous post: 

Upon reflection, coming home from work on that Thursday night in December seemed a little surreal. That morning, Kelly and I were looking forward to a laid back 2-week break. We had both been working very hard during November and December. That evening, we were thrust into the unknown. Things changed and moved quickly.  We had mountains of information to review. We began exploring what living in Belgium might look like. And, of course, we looked at one map after the other, tracing the distance from our new home to places like Paris and London and Brussels and Amsterdam!

Continue reading “Two years abroad – Pt. 2 – Leading Towards (our departure)” →

Two years abroad – Pt. 1 – Leading Up (to the opportunity of a lifetime)

~ Peter LeBlanc ~ 6 Comments

This is the first of a multi-post series outlining the unique experience I just completed as principal of the Canadian Section of the International School in Casteau, Belgium. This school is operated by the Canadian Department of National Defence and is part of a school campus that serves the children of military and NATO staff who work on the NATO military base there. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

Leading up (to the opportunity of a lifetime)!

I am one month home after a two-year absence. I left the town of Orangeville, Ontario to assume a school leadership role that was unique. By unique, I mean that only one other Canadian principal can claim the same job. In July 2019, I began my role as the principal of the Canadian Section of the SHAPE International School. This school is operated by the Canadian Department of National Defence for the Canadian Armed Forces. It is housed on the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe base in Casteau, Belgium. SHAPE, as it is commonly known, is one of two of NATO’s Allied Command Operations headquarters.

Continue reading “Two years abroad – Pt. 1 – Leading Up (to the opportunity of a lifetime)” →

No Longer Standing Still

~ Peter LeBlanc ~ 4 Comments

Mine is a privileged voice. Mine is a privileged life.

It’s not that I didn’t know it. I think it’s that I didn’t really see it or believe it. Until recently.

I’m white. I’m male. I’m over 50. Born in Canada, I won the geographic birth lottery. I am the epitome of privilege. I have always had food and shelter. I have always had access to education and information. I have always had free healthcare, potable running, heated water and electricity.
Continue reading “No Longer Standing Still” →

The Hockey Sweater: A Personal Story

~ Peter LeBlanc ~ 2 Comments

If you know me, you’ll know I’m a diehard Leafs fan. I was born in November of 1966, during the season in which the Leafs last won the Stanley Cup. I can’t imagine my parents thought about that. As French-Canadians, they were all about the bleu, blanc et rouge.

On Friday, March 27, 2020, our school celebrated Sports Jersey day. It was the end of Spirit Week, a way to help lift students and families during the COVID-19 period of self-isolation and learning from home. I wore both my treasured Leafs jersey AND my Habs jersey, poking a little fun at this classic hockey rivalry. That Friday was 16 1/2 years to the day that the Habs sweater passed into my hands. It was also 16 1/2 years to the day that my Dad passed away.

Continue reading “The Hockey Sweater: A Personal Story” →

Calm in the Midst of Chaos

~ Peter LeBlanc

The current situation in the world is unprecendented. Information is confusing and coming from all directions at once. People are scared and are looking to their leaders for answers.

Continue reading “Calm in the Midst of Chaos” →

One month in… Glows & grows

~ Peter LeBlanc ~ 1 Comment

It’s been almost an exact month since the first bell rang out to start the 2018-19 school year. It was my first journey back to a school after 2 years of working at a system level. Flipping the calendar to October is a great time to reflect on my first month in.

My two glows… Continue reading “One month in… Glows & grows” →

School Start Up: What’s That Word?

~ Peter LeBlanc

There is an energy that exists in a school start-up that’s hard to explain. I’m looking for a word describe it and I can’t yet find it.

Busy doesn’t describe it; because it isn’t. Continue reading “School Start Up: What’s That Word?” →

Growing my PLN by One and Making a New Friend (an unsolicited endorsement)

~ Peter LeBlanc

“Well this will be an hour of my time I won’t get back!”

Or, something along those lines. That is how I first approached a Spring 2016 session with Chris Vollum and hosted by my previous school’s School Council. I had heard countless ‘old people’ speak to schools about the perils of “The Facebook” and “The Twitter” and I was prepped for more “lock up your children; the Internet isn’t a safe place” messaging. Continue reading “Growing my PLN by One and Making a New Friend (an unsolicited endorsement)” →