Writer, editor, compiler: non-fiction, creative historical fiction, science fiction, literary women's fiction, realistic fiction, inspirational lit.; picture books to novels, articles to full-length non-fiction. Current WIP: "These Angels Among Us," a compilation of 160+ memorial portraits by J.R. Johansen, accompanied by biographical tributes. I'm the compiler-editor of the book.In a word, eclectic. Tagline: "Keeping it real to make it better."Updates here: www.heatherburton.ca

I have worked with students from ages 6 to 18 and their parents. English Language Arts and Literature is my subject specialty, but I range into botany, social studies, Latin, leadership development, art, science and more through our innovative, team-based Personalized Education and Home Education programs.In the current school year, I have the privilege of teaching in-person and online courses in English and Social Studies to junior high (middle school) students ages 11 - 15.Starting September 2024, I'll be the English/Social Studies lead in our high school Outreach program. Thrilled!

Our lives are the sum of our relationships. Wisely tending those relationships may well be our most crucial, ongoing life's work.Among the best relationship wisdom I've discovered is the work of The Arbinger Institute. Arbinger's ideas are rational, unfold naturally, and can be stunning in their accuracy and effectiveness. As a teaching and training organization, Arbinger provides books, online articles, seminars, private coaching, and trainings in settings from home to board room. My work as a public school educator calls into service Arbinger training and coaching and helps me incorporate personal development, conflict transformation, social-emotional growth, and leadership development into my teaching.Your questions are warmly welcomed.Explore Arbinger's work at their website — www.arbinger.com — and at www.thereconciliationproject.org.

Product and program creation, marketing, web promotion, networking, writing, podcasting, teambuilding and budgeting were among my responsibilities at Arbinger as we explored opportunities and future directions in the areas of personal development, coaching, family relationships, treatment and intervention services, and education. It was determined that with the resources we had available, an independent, thriving Personal and Family Services division was not feasible at that time.

Across multiple service lines, my team and I offered connection, education, and support to Arbinger clients, Arbinger Community members, and with interest in Arbinger's unique philosophy of conflict transformation and peacebuilding in relationships and organizations.

Since the mid-90's I have focused my educational philosophy study on patterns of preparation for leadership. Specifically, this involves classic ideas, the lives of exceptional leaders, the value of leadership practica, servant-leader culture, work-as-cause, and the role of God and/or universal moral truth in all of it.At various conferences and trainings in the U.S. and Canada, I've spoken to gatherings from a dozen to several hundred individuals on the study and practice of leadership education. For ten years I served as a volunteer promoter for a private liberal arts university founded on these tenets.As well, I help organize a yearly summer camp for 12 - 18 year olds ("Liber Youth Retreat") where we literally practise leadership development.

For a few decades, I've studied, written and presented about nurturing children, engaging in personal development, building family culture, learning from a home-base, practising self-leadership, and customizing education for social impact. In more recent years, I've had the opportunity to focus on website writing, social media management and innovation, marketing project development, speech writing, assisted writing, everyday English, and editing, proofreading and writing enhancement.Alongside producing written work, I've had the delightful opportunity to mentor young philosophers and writers in workshops and tutorial classes.Juvenile fiction, poetry, opinion pieces and philosophical ramblings are other elements of my writing portfolio.Over the past four years, I've entered the world of writing collaboration and am currently developing best practices for co-writing with several clients.

My most important work happens in my family.

"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." -- Thomas JeffersonI identify people I believe are intelligent and worthy of trust, then work to get them elected to leadership positions so they can keep government efficient enough to allow individuals to freely maximize their lives without undue government intrusion.

For three years, I enjoyed working with committed, community-minded men and women to manage electoral district association (EDA) affairs and support our elected Member of the Parliament of Canada, Jim Hillyer.

Program development, inter-community peacebuilding, facilitation, youth mentoring.

I worked with an international team to bring Arbinger philosophy and consulting services to people around world.

With a fine group of like-minded colleagues, I started LEAFF as an education and service organization devoted to growing great leaders. Primarily, we did this through hosting a wide variety of events that bring people and time-honoured principles of leader preparation together. Our philanthropic work included fundraising to explore the feasibility of a liberal arts college in southern Alberta, Canada, a project that continues to be an interest.My service with LEAFF was an elected position with a two-year term that ended in January 2010. Since that time, my colleagues and I have continued hosting leadership education events on a volunteer basis.

Classics across the genres for all ages, education conferences and curriculum fairs, avid book talk: this was a dream job.The underlying criteria for our selection of literature, music, art, biography, non-fiction and the central classics of cultures past and present were works that fortify character, deepen compassion, and prepare students to make a difference for good in the world.I chose to sell our business to devote time to related projects.