Christine Ho Younghusband

One Voter at a Time

Being a newbie to municipal campaigning as a school trustee candidate, I am learning ‘something new’ everyday.  With the help of good friends and my daughter, we have successfully distributed the first batch of campaign pamphlets.  My mantra is… One voter at a time. 

First, I have a modest campaign.  I am a full-time graduate student at SFU who tutors math part-time and occasionally gives Assessment for Learning professional development workshops to teachers.  I hope my intentions and political platform is clear to the public, especially to the District of Sechelt voters.  I am an advocate for quality public education.  Do I love teaching?  Yes I do.  Do I plan to return to teaching?  Possibly.  Am I all about student learning, learning communities, and safe learning environments?  Absolutely.  Aside from wanting to finish my dissertation in educational leadership in a timely manner, I have a great desire to remain active in SD46 as a community member, parent, and representative of the constituents of Sechelt.  It is not the number of campaign signs, newspaper ads, or font size that matters.  It’s quality NOT quantity.

Second, this political journey has been an excellent real-life problem solving situation.  It’s like a calculus maximization problem.  How do I reach out to as many people as possible, on a limited campaign budget, to ensure that the voting public realize who I am, what my credentials are, and imagine how I will do in the position as school school trustee.  Some candidates rely on advertising and name recognition.  Other candidates depend on their reputation and word of mouth.  While others will attend every campaign opportunity to have their voice heard and platform understood.  For me, I am tapping into a bit of each realm of campaigning.  I have some advertising and online campaigning, some know me as a teacher and teacher leader at Chatelech Secondary, and some are getting to know me from face-to-face interactions and word-of-mouth.

Third, I am truly grateful to all those whom I talked to and met so far during my campaign.  People have their shared stories, concerns, and interests in public education on the Sunshine Coast.  I appreciate those who asked the ‘tough questions’ and questioned my intentions of running for school trustee.  Why should I vote for you?  It reminds me of being interviewed for a job.  I guess I am under scrutiny until voting day on November 19, 2011.  I know that I cannot be everything to everyone, but my intentions are authentic and my integrity matters.  I could list off my academic credentials, my professional experience, or my current involvement in the field of education.  Instead, I want people to know that I feel honoured and touched that they are willing to talk to me and share their stories with hopes of being heard.  Thank you for your words.  I am listening.

Safe Learning Environments

Voila.  A picture from one of my math classes from way in the day… students learning together, collaboratively, willing to share and take risks.  Notice… students are not learning in rows, in isolation.  They are learning with people that they know and trust.  My role was to act as the “expert” and facilitate active learning communities amongst peers.  This is a MATH CLASS.  Remind yourself of your experience as a math student.  For many, learning mathematics was not fun or engaging.  I strived for COMMUNICATIVE ACTION where students dialogued together to make sense of what they are learning.  To achieve this, they had to be working in a safe learning environment.

Guess what?  Kids had fun learning math/science in my classes.  I taught for 16 years in School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast) and I believe that creating safe learning environments for staff and students is one of my strengths as a teacher practitioner.  Feeling safe in a secondary mathematics classroom and building relationships with students are foundational components to learning and feeling a part of the learning community.  When someone feels unsafe, marginalized, or belittled… no one engages.  People who are actively a part of public schools need to feel safe to contribute ideas, question policy, and advocate for children and their learning.  Listening to the story and understanding what is being said is critical to address the learning needs of students. 

Creating SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS is my THIRD PLATFORM for my candidacy as school trustee representing the District of Sechelt.  All stake holders… students, staff, parents, and community members all need to feel safe and valued when addressing the public school system with the intentions of benefiting student learning in a positive way and establishing full-functioning learning communities.  All 3 of my political platforms interconnect, much like people do who make up School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast):  Student learning, learning communities, and safe learning environments.  It’s about creating a culture where open, authentic dialogue by all stakeholders is the norm and being heard, acknowledged, and listened to is reciprocated.  Thank you for reading.

2000 Views

Thank you Bloggies for reading my edu-blog… Although, I’m not sure what happened to my previous entry, Learning Communities… my second platform to my school trustee in the District of Sechelt campaign.  Apparently, no one has read my last blog entry.  I find that unusual.  I will admit, I do look at the “STATS” of my blog from time to time.  How else would I know that we hit 2000 views?  Anyway, this is not to obsess, but to celebrate.

ELECT YOUNGHUSBAND FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE IN SECHELT

Learning Communities

Learning communities has so many meanings.  For students, it could be ‘study buddies’ or a study group where they all mutually meet to achieve one goal.  The goal could be completing an assignment, studying for a test, or practicing for the next basketball game.  For teachers, it is commonly known as a ‘professional learning community’ where the group of educators (i.e. teachers and/or administrators) work collectively to achieve a particular goal.  A goal could be improving mathematics achievement, personal accountability, or literacy.  The group works together as a team to brainstorm possibilities to improve student performance.  Formative and summative data can be used to inform the professional learning community if they are heading in the right direction or not, and opportunities to reassess for a new direction.  For parents, it’s about being a part of the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) or parent volunteer, to stay informed, to be a contribute, and to be involved in their child’s learning.

LEARNING COMMUNITIES is my second platform.  I believe LEARNING IS DIALOGICAL.  WE are all interconnected… students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, and community members.  We need to work together to achieve great things.  Great ideas often happen when you have a team behind you, beside you, or in front of you.  You can choose to do something by yourself, but recall a moment when someone helped you out.  It’s much easier, more efficient, and ultimately beneficial for all those involved.  Learning communities involves everyone who cares and wants to help to benefit the whole.  This is my platform as a District of Sechelt school trustee candidate.

From my own experience, I know as a graduate student writing my dissertation on educational leadership is a lonely and isolating learning experience.  I sit in my office… alone… reading or writing about my thesis topic… wondering what other people think about my topic.  I was frustrated for many months not knowing if I was ‘doing it right.’  I needed a learning community.  My supervisors do provide some guidance when I submit some work into them, but I needed a support group, people to bounce ideas from, a network of ABD students who share the same experiences and learning objectives as I do (that is, finish my dissertation).  I found one… two… three LEARNING COMMUNITIES.  I have fellow EdD students here on the Sunshine Coast whom I connect with.  I have a classmates from my Educ 809 course who continues to meet online via Google+.  I have the EGSA or Education Graduate Students’ Association where I had attended a couple of workshops and met great people.  Furthermore, I have colleagues who wish to help, share, and listen.

Last Day of Bike Club

I am proud to say that I am one of the parent volunteers of my daughter’s school’s bike club.  Being a bike club mom would not have been possible if I was teaching full-time.  Now that I have the flexibility of time as a graduate student and educational consultant, I can be a part of her learning experiences.  I love being a part of an extracurricular activity that my daughter truly enjoys.  To be truthful, I do not ride with her during the club.  She rides in the “fast” group.  My husband will often help out with that group.  I choose to ride with the “beginner” group.  I am learning how to ride and understanding why my daughter likes to mountain bike.  It’s kind of fun and I get to see a parts of the Sunshine Coast I was not aware of… like the BIG FIRS north of Sechelt.  Look at this picture… It was a beautiful ride and the kids had a tonne of fun.  Today was our last day of bike club for 2011.  Thank you for a wonderful ride.  Until 2012…

Student Learning

Teaching can be one of the most challenging, yet one of the most rewarding professions to partake in.  I loved teaching mathematics at Chatelech Secondary and I am pleasantly reminded what kind of affect I had as a mathematics teacher on STUDENT LEARNING.  Let me share a few stories…

When I decided to run for school trustee… my biggest supporters are teachers and former students.  Former students have expressed their support with encouraging FB posts, kind words, and inspirational stories.  Knowing that former students and colleagues believe in me means a lot.

On Facebook, one student wrote that he would not be where he is today without me.  That may sound over dramatic, but I recall that this student was in my Chemistry 11 class who was totally misaligned with his mathematics in terms of course selection and timing.  As a result, we learned Math 10 during lunch.  We spent almost every lunch hour to finish Math 10 on-time.  In the end, we succeed and he pursued an post-secondary education and successful career in business.

I met another student at a professional development workshop.  She is a pre-service teacher.  She told me that she attended one of my math classes.  Although she seemed familiar, I could not remember her in Math 12.  With further discussion, it turned out that she completed her Math 10 in my Math 12 class.  There was no place for her to go and I invited her to be in my Math 12.  She remembers this gesture and me helping her.  She expressed infinite gratitude.

My last story I would like to mention is one of a Grade 12 student.  I am currently tutoring this student and I was preparing for a mathematics workshop to be presented at the October 2011 BCAMT provincial conference.  I was looking at old pictures of a summative review game called, “YH’s Math 12 Olympiks.”  We played this game in the foyer, making the review game not just a class-wide event, but a school-wide event.  What surprised me was that this student remembered cheering for her favorite team in Grade 8… The Purple Co-tangents. 

These are just a few stories that has been brought to my attention in the last month.  I had fun teaching mathematics… and guess what?  The students had fun learning mathematics too.  As you can see, student learning is my FIRST PLATFORM in my school trustee campaign.  LEARNING IS FUN… Teachers matter… The positive affect can be direct or indirect.  Student learning matters.

$20 Campaign

Hello Bloggies and Younghusband Supporters…

Welcome to MY TWENTY DOLLAR CAMPAIGN.  Running for School Trustee has been an exciting learning opportunity.  I am learning about municipal politics and what needs to be done to be elected as a school trustee.  The big ideas are transparency, fair-play, and name recognition.  Embedded in that is fund raising, campaigning, and documentation.  I am enjoying chatting with people, going door to door, and finding ways to have my candidacy known to the residents of the District of Sechelt.

The surprising aspect of campaigning is fund raising.  I am starting a $20 campaign.  If you support my candidacy as school trustee in School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast), regardless of your current residence, I am looking for VOTE and/or a $20 contribution… cash or cheque.

The municipal election is Saturday, November 19, 2011.  It is a short campaign and I have implemented a straight-forward campaign approach with signs, flyers, and candidates meetings.

I would love to have the opportunity to represent students, families, and the community as a school trustee.  I believe my expertise and experience as a secondary mathematics teacher in SD46 will bring a wealth of knowledge and insight needed to make worthwhile decisions on the board.

A $20 contribution would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your consideration.

Send a cheque to “Younghusband Campaign” and mail to:
c/o Christine Younghusband
6330 Williams Place
Sechelt, BC  V0N 3A7

Or by cash to be given in person.  THANK YOU FOR READING MY CAMPAIGN REQUEST.

You’re Awesome

What an awesome experience… I feel fortunate that I was able to present at this year’s BC Association of Mathematics Teachers (BCAMT) provincial professional development conference in Burnaby at Cariboo Hill Secondary on October 21, 2011.  It was my first year being on the BCAMT executive as a Secondary Representative and presenting at the conference.  I must admit that it’s really nice to have colleagues recognizing me, compliment me, and say hello.

The best part is… I’m still involved in secondary mathematics education.  I’m still involved in teaching.  I’m still involved in improving student achievement in secondary mathematics.  I met awesome people.  I had a wonderful time distributing SWAG at the beginning of the conference.  I loved greeting people at the BCAMT presentation stand and passing out Assessment for Learning books published by the BCAMT.  I was fascinated to be reunited with teachers from my UBC Education program in 1994, from previous workshops as an educational consultant, and from participants from my workshop I presented at last year’s conference.  A classmate of mine from the Doctor of Education program referred to me as the Assessment for Learning in Mathematics Education expert.  I was humbled.

I presented twice at the BCAMT conference.  The session was titled, “Assessment for Learning in the 21st Century.”  It is not to say that I am an expert at Assessment for Learning (AFL) and 21st century Learning, but what I like to present to practicing teachers is that it’s OK to take risks, it’s OK to have fun, and it’s OK to make math engaging for kids.  My BIG message focuses on AFL and how it’s not a huge shift from what we already do.  In fact, with AFL… we get to teach kids, understand their learning, and nourish some of the skills needed for the 21st Century.  What I talked about was AFL, 21st Century Skills, and the summative review game I facilitated with my Math 12 students called, Math 12 Olympiks.  The workshop was a success. 

How do I know?  Teachers would approach me after the workshop telling me stories of their experiences using AFL… asking me specific questions how to implement AFL in their classroom… and expressing their gratitude with comments like:  “Are you a maverick?”  “I really liked your enthusiasm and excitement.” …. and…  “You’re AWESOME.”

I still love the learning and teaching… as long as we are heading in the direction where we help kids learn, particularly mathematics, then what I do is worthwhile.  THANK YOU EVERYONE.

Campaign Signs

It’s been almost 3 days since my last blog post.  My deepest apologies.  I have been busy with campaigning and life.

As you can see, the YOUNGHUSBAND campaign signs are up.  There are 9 located in strategic locations in the District of Sechelt.  It took my student volunteer and I about 6 hours to find appropriate locations and post the signs.

Campaign signs were requests made by the public.  As I have been meeting people and letting them know that I am running for school trustee, some have been asking me where my signs were.  Good question.  This is the challenge out to you…

WHERE ARE THE 9 YOUNGHUSBAND CAMPAIGN SIGNS LOCATED IN SECHELT?

This is much like the where’s Waldo question.  I am also enjoying talking to people about the municipal elections and letting them know that I am running for School Trustee in the District of Sechelt.  I do not claim to be an expert politician, but I am an expert educator who has a deep desire to advocate for students and families striving for quality public education on the Sunshine Coast.

I love living in Sechelt.  The people are wonderful.  Living on the Sunshine Coast for the past 17 years has been awesome as a teacher at Chatelech, curler in Gibsons, and newbie cyclist with the West Sechelt Elementary Bike Club.  I love the relationships I have created as a mathematics educator, bike club mom, and community member.

People have been awesome so far in my campaign with their support, advice, and encouragement.  Campaigning has been an enlightening experience.  I am grateful for the helping hands and the kindness of others.  I am very thankful for my student volunteer who has been my right-hand girl and cheerleader.  To be able to continue to work with students is a privilege.  I am very fortunate.

For more information about Municipal Elections in the District of Sechelt, click on this link from the Naturally Sechelt website… http://www.sechelt.ca/CityHall/Elections.aspx

Arrows Pointing Right

For the past few weeks, I am realizing that the arrows are pointing right.  Awhile ago, I wrote in my blog about turning right or left.  A good friend of mine, or mentor some would say, gave me a heart to heart chat several months ago.  He said, if you choose to turn right, stay right, and don’t look back.  To turn left and stay the course, make the best of it, with no regrets.  Almost a year ago, I turned right.  I took a risk without a clear end in mind.  This can make anyone feel anxious and insecure.  Today, I feel optimistic, energized, and purposeful.  I am still involved in education.  I continue to be passionate about student learning and mathematics education.  I love to teach, learn, and lead.  I am humbled each day and truly enjoying this campaign trail I am about to embark on.  I’m excited to see what’s to come.  It seems like my dissertation topic, stories told to me by clients, parents, and community members, and taking the leap to run for school trustee to partake in municipal politics all seem to be pointing in the same direction… TO THE RIGHT.  As Steve Jobs said during his 2005 address at Stanford to the graduates, CONNECT THE DOTS… you cannot connect the dots looking into the future, only by looking back at the past.  The dots are connecting.  I amazed.  I’m looking forward.