Words of Encouragement

I am so glad to be home… lying in front of the fireplace in my pajamas… watching Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives on the Food Network.  Life is good.  I’ve just returned home from a couple of days in Vancouver.  It’s a 4-hour commute both ways (with a brief stop over at my parents’ condo to spend the night).  I travel by public transit, as mentioned in yesterday’s blog entry.  It’s a journey.

Yesterday, I was heading to SFU-Surrey to be part of the Masters of Education K-12 Educational Leadership Cohort as their site assistant.  This was the last weekend the cohort was meeting before the term ends.  I met this cohort once before on the first week of classes.  I helped the professor remotely.  I felt it would be appropriate to see the cohort at the end of the term.  They are fantastic.

Today, I was scheduled to attend the BC Association of Mathematics Teachers (BCAMT) Executive committee meeting.  It’s truly amazing to be a part of a group of like minded people who want to support BC teachers in mathematics education.  Another wonderful experience, but opted to return home tonight after the meeting instead of attending the X-mas party.  It was time to go home.

What does this have to do with words of encouragement?  It is not to say that I don’t appreciate the congratulatory compliments and conversations I had with students and colleagues.  Loved it.  It’s the subtle comments that meant more to me… Comment #1: “You can be a sessional.”  Comment #2: “Hope your writing is going well.”  Comment #3: “How’s your research on autodidactism going?”

All 3 comments mentioned above all had to do with my dissertation… all 3 comments above came from professors from SFU who are not my supervisors.  That’s what’s amazing to me.  I have great respect for all 3 professors and feel lucky to be connected with each them from opportunities from at the university and educational committee work I’m a part of.  Each comment meant a lot.  Thank you.