Christine Ho Younghusband

Good Teaching

Life can be full of regrets.  This is a choice.  We can dwell on them.  We get stuck, never move forwards, unable to see what’s good.  Life will always be a rain cloud.

Yesterday, I gave a workshop to a team of Aboriginal Education teachers about implementing the First Nations perspective in the mathematics curriculum.  I did not make a summary handout or feedback form like I usually do for my Assessment for Learning workshops.  I had a moment of regret when the workshop ended.  I walked out flat, not knowing how the workshop went.  I did not assume the worst but I had no idea if the teachers found the workshop worthwhile.

Mental note, provide feedback forms to ALL workshops I provide.  If I desire feedback on my performance and content, I need to provide a feedback form.  The best part about teaching… learning that is incurred when making mistakes.  No regrets… looking forward… making it better for the next time.

To my surprise, I started receiving emails from my colleagues who attended the workshop.  The first email was a general thank you to everyone… to the presenter… to the PD rep… to the participants.  That was nice to be acknowledged amongst these practitioners.  The second email was a thank you expressing her excitement to connect with math teachers.  That is so AWESOME.  I am excited for her.  The third email was from a good friend.  She said that I was a good teacher.  GASP.  That meant a lot to me.  No sarcasm.  And finally, I received an email this morning commenting on my teaching abilities, willingness to give back, and thanking me for becoming a teacher.  At this point, I have no words to describe how I feel.

At some level I knew the workshop went well.  Although I did receive hugs, smiles, and ‘thank you’s’ after the workshop, the email feedback was exceptional.  The gift is knowing that other people acknowledge my work, my love for teaching, and the quality of my teaching.  I love teaching.  It more than just saying it, it’s about living it.  Thank you for your feedback.

Math Embedded

I had a wonderful afternoon presenting a workshop to the Aboriginal Education Local Specialists Association (LSA) today.  This was a unique opportunity.  This LSA is from the Sunshine Coast school district, my hometown.  I am well acquainted with all of the Aboriginal Education teachers and district administrator.  The group was relatively small, compared to a whole teaching staff of a secondary school, and the attendees are all friends, not just colleagues.  Furthermore, I presented a ‘new’ workshop called, “Math Embedded – A Tribute to Susan Point.”

Once again, I stepped out of my box and presented to close colleagues of mine about my teaching practice as a secondary mathematics teacher implementing a First Nations approach to mathematics education during the 2009/10 Mathematics 8 curriculum implementation.  This workshop was not a workshop about Assessment for Learning (AFL), yet I managed to slip in a few words in there about assessment and evaluation with regards to the project.  I still get inspired by the dialogue that transpires when talking to teachers about assessment.  Thank you for fulfilling my AFL-fix.

What was unique about the Math Embedded workshop was that I felt so welcomed by my colleagues.  I was not nervous or anxious.  I felt a home talking about my practice candidly with hopes of inspiring each them to take the chance of working with a mathematics educator and integrate First Nations culture and perspective with the curriculum.  I was so pleased to observe my colleagues actively and willingly partake in the workshop by making their own Tribute to Susan Point and sharing their creations and thoughts to the group.  What each participant created was both beautiful and reflective of each individual.  Thank you for participating.

What was most special about the workshop was the thank you gift of sage and sweet grass from the Interior… the kind words of acknowledgment… and a song.  At the end of the workshop, the AbEd team played on a big drum while I played on my baby wolf drum ‘Dragonfly.’  We sang the ‘Woman’s Warrior Song’ to honour me.  What an honour.  I was humbled.  Chills went up and down my spine.  There is no better thank you than that.  THANK YOU SD46 ABORIGINAL EDUCATION LSA.  It was an amazing and unforgettable teaching and learning experience.

Rotisserie Christine

The weather has changed and ‘Rotisserie Christine’ begins.  Oh man, was I cold tonight.  With a flick of a switch, the fire place was turned on and I was rotating myself horizontally on the floor ensuring an even heating of my entire body.  I had full intentions of writing but took a nap instead.  Now, I’m up.  Warm and toasty.  Ahhh… back to fall and winter weather.

Drumming Workshop Reunion

What a wonderful day.  After making my family a BIG breakfast and eating together at the table, I went to the Sechelt Art Centre to attend my DRUMMING WORKSHOP REUNION.  Although three Wolf Family members were absent, the rest of us returned with our baby drums.  We sat in a circle sharing stories about the week and introduced our drum to the rest of the family.  The drum said “hello” to everyone as we each play it with pride in the circle.  Ping, ping, ping… my drum resonates with me. 

The reunion was phenomenal.  I appreciate the time, effort, and passion of our teachers who made this happen for us.  Making the drum was a once (or twice) in a lifetime experience, but playing the drum with the Wolf Family and the larger drum family was powerful.  Participants from past workshops arrived to the latter half of the reunion making the circle 8 times larger.  We introduced ourselves, played our drums, and sang.  I felt connected to these people.  Some people I knew, some I was familiar with, and others were strangers.  Nonetheless, we are a part of the drum family.  Best of all, my husband and daughter joined me in this experience.  All my relations.

Dragonfly

The most beautiful thing happened today… my daughter Zoe started playing my ‘baby wolf drum’ outside on the patio.  I was sitting outside too.  We were both enjoying my drum’s voice.  She sounded beautiful.  All of a sudden a dragonfly flew right in front of face.  It surprised me.  The best part is… my drum is named DRAGONFLY.  I named my drum ‘dragonfly’ when I pulled that animal card from the deck during the drum making workshop last week.  I had meant to write down the meaning of the dragonfly card, but in essence it means “transition” or change.  Thank you dragonfly.  You were a good sign.  Our wolf drum reunion is tomorrow.  Looking forward.

Math is Easier

I love when my child says, “Why is life so hard?  Why can’t life be as easy as MATH?”  You don’t hear that everyday.  Personally, it brought me a bit of joy, being a mathematics teacher and tutor.  I’m glad that she believes MATH IS EASY.  With that said, I can see what she is talking about.

My daughter has been recently working out some “issues” at school… how to act appropriately, good behaviour, making friends… much like I am working out some “issues” in my life… the dissertation, employment, good parenting.  As we work together through these “issues” together, she exclaims “Math is easier!”  Many of us may not believe so, but she’s got a good point.

There are so many decisions to be made in life and no one is really sure which is the “right” answer.  So, we spend our time “guessing and checking” to navigate through our lives in search for the “right” answer.  In mathematics, there are formulas, patterns, and predicable outcomes.  Follow the “right” rules, the desired consequence is attained.  In life, there are ‘rules,’ but they are not all universally accepted.  In the end, chaos. 

I can understand my daughter’s frustration.  There are no “right” answers.  The only way you can find out if things are “right” or not is to try it out.  Does it feel good?  Did you get the payoff that you were looking for?  Was it worthwhile?  If you can hit a hat-trick of YES on these three questions, then you are on the “right” track.  Otherwise, it takes a moment of contemplation or re-evaluation as to what went well and what needs improvement (aka. the mantra of Assessment for Learning or AFL).

Ahhhh… I’ve reached full-circle, a moment of Zen.  I love math.  I love AFL.  I love life.  The worlds have all collided to make a wonderful Venn Diagram and I’m in the middle.  A moment of solace.

One Thousand Views

Wow.  This blog has only been up since May 2011 and in 5 months it has reached 1000 views by Bloggies like you.  Bloggies from around the world has read this blog.  According to my stats, this blog has been viewed by Bloggies in Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, France, Latvia, Malaysia, Romania, the United States… and, of course, Canada.  THANK YOU so much for showing an interest in reading the EDU-BLOG.  One of my greatest joys as an educator are the EDU-RANTS with students, parents, or colleagues.  I love the idea that we are all a part of a virtual learning community.  To have the opportunity to share some of my thoughts about education, my learning, and my personal experiences and “someone like you” is willing to take the time to read my blog… it feels good.  Keep on reading Bloggies.

Tutoring at Capilano University

You know… things happen in strange and wonderful ways.  I am not one to question, but I am one to wonder.

Not too long ago, I had applied for a position at Capilano University and did not get the position.  Not sad about the outcome, I quickly moved onwards to the next task at hand.  I was so grateful to have the interview and my resume and cover letter were updated.

In the meantime, I expressed an interest in tutoring Adult Basic Education (ABE) at Capilano University – Sechelt Campus last year and was invited a week or so after the interview to attend a meeting about what was involved.  In the midst of being trained to be a tutor at Capilano, I feel that I have taken a full-circle in my teaching career.

In my third year of university (20 years ago), I was in serious contemplation what to do with my life.  I was not sure that I wanted to do until I volunteered at Kwantlen College in Richmond, BC to tutor ABE mathematics.   I was schooling at UBC, lived in Burnaby, and commuted to Richmond once a week to help adults learn mathematics.  I loved it.

Volunteering at Kwantlen College inspired me to pursue a career in adult education.  Initially, I started an Adult Education Diploma at UBC after I graduated with my Bachelor of Science.  As it turned out, to teach ABE I needed to have a teaching certificate.  So, I withdrew from the diploma program to pursue a degree in education to gain certification.

Like a typical university student, I had accrued a significant student loan.  After completing my Bachelor of Education, I had to find a job.  Instead of teaching adults, I got a position teaching mathematics and science in a public high school.  I learned much about teaching and learning from my experience at the high school.  It has made me who I am today.

I love teaching.  I am passionate about student learning and mathematics education.  I am still in the education business as a graduate student, private educator, and educational consultant but having the opportunity to volunteer at Capilano University as an ABE tutor is a dream come true.

I have finally arrived.  Tutoring starts today and I’m looking forward.

Holmes on Homes

I love watching this show.  OK. I don’t watch this show religiously, but I like this show because Holmes on Homes exemplifies what I believe what “good leadership” should be.  He is the contractor.  He oversees the whole project with skill and expertise of each component of the job, like dry walling, plumbing, and roofing.  Holmes just seems to get it all and oversees everyone on the team for quality of work.  He has a team of experts working with him.  He’s got electricians, carpenters, plumbers, etc. working on the job and they each excel at what they do.  What I enjoy most is that they communicate with Holmes regularly about progress, problems, and solutions.  Best of all, Holmes gets right in the project too.  He’s not just supervising the project and complaining about what went wrong, he takes part of the building process.  Holmes is unreal.  Near the end of today’s episode he said, “if you’re a professional, pick a date and stick to it.”  He was referring to was the completion date of the project.  This man is committed and highly skilled.  He wants to get the job done right.  I love that.  Yes, I am a doctoral student studying educational leadership and this HGTV show inspires me.

Failure to Commit

Thank goodness that I don’t have to write my dissertation using pen and paper.  If so, I suspect nothing would get done.

It’s been three weeks since I got feedback from my supervisors and I cannot believe how long it is taking me to get through my revisions.  It is hard to explain to people that I am approaching my thesis proposal for the fifth time.  Although my proposal is comprehensive, meaning that I have to write a complete literature review and methodology section in addition to my introduction, I am stunned how a few changes in the beginning exponentially changes the composition of the following chapters.

I love my feedback.  I can see what I need to do to narrow my topic and by doing that… my research question has been tweaked… my sub-questions completely transformed… and complete overhaul in the significance of the study and ethics application.  I had to rehink my conceptual framework, literature review, and methodology.  I like the direction my paper, but in denial of what is needed to complete my dissertation.

Failure to commit to new ideas or leaps of faith prevent me from moving forward with my paper at the pace I wish to be moving at.  As you can see, I have no troubles blogging, but I don’t have to cite what I know and sound “academic.”  And, what I write about in my blogs just comes off the top of my head as a daily inspiration… FLOW doesn’t matter.

I am happy to announce I have just finished revising Chapter 1.  I will be editing later today before I send it off to my supervisors.  I gasp to think about redoing Chapter 2.  It’s almost like redoing the Literature Review all over again.  The paper has shifted and so does the Lit Review.  SIGH.  Then bigger changes with Chapter 3.  A few side steps completely changed the direction of my research.

In this situation, I often feel like the hamster in the wheel.  The faster I go, it seems I’m still in the same place.  This can be discouraging, but what I do know is… the only way to learn is to do and make mistakes… get feedback… fix it.. and do once again until it’s just right.