Christine Ho Younghusband

Super Awesome iOS Summit

I am committed to my 2016 One-Word… ALIGNMENT. So, here is my second blog entry of the day and of the year talking about my professional learning so far in 2016. I went to my first iOS Summit in Vancouver. I conceptually understand “the good” of technology in classrooms and how it can harness student learning in ways that we could not accomplish via chalkboard or note-taking. I wanted to learn more about this as an educator… what could I do in my classroom (if I had one) and use technology to enhance or leverage my pedagogy and engage students in new ways and at a new level learning. So, I signed up. This was a little bit scary for me because I am such a techno-knob. I really know nothing about technology… ask @MsVictoriaOlson and @DAliceMarsh from the #bcedchat co-mod team. I needed help. Yes, I tweet a lot, but I have no idea about using iPads in the classroom, what apps to use, and how this would fit into my pedagogy. Well, some of my questions were answered.

The keynote from @mistersill was super amazing. I was watching closely as an educator and learner. He is a filmmaker, turned teacher, and now #edtechteam public speaker and travels the world!!! Wow. That caught my attention. He uses his expertise and understanding of film to capture students (and myself) to appreciate, question, and learn more about what they see and know about film. I loved that he showed some history of film and its significance to crazy film segments from GoPro4. Jim Sill also showed us some green screen footage and asked the audience “is this real?” He led us through an amazing journey with his PowerPoint presentation and I thought of the new BC curriculum and how film or technology would fit so nicely as a teaching tool. I caught myself thinking and engaged. This is a good thing.

Off to 4 workshops… not really knowing what to expect and what would learn… so, I went to 4 different speakers. One workshop looked at some apps that teachers could use in the classroom with students facilitated by @benjaminfriesen. We had time to PLAY with these apps on our devices to see it’s potential and possibilities. The second workshop was with BC’s own @KLirenman and she presented on apps she used in K-3 math. Hello? Was I engaged. What an incredible morning!!! All of the apps I seen so far could easily be used in a Math 8-12 classroom. I got so excited. I wanted to learn more. In the afternoon, my third session was back with @mistersill and I made my first movie!!! I never thought I could. I got so excited. Thank you for an awesome partner as well… that was super fun!!! Then, I ended the day with a BIG PICTURE conversation with @braddo about iOS in education and the future of technology.

4 completely different workshops which helped me to understand more about iPads in classrooms but also what kind of learning I was looking for. I am super excited to learn that there will be a GAFE Summit in April to follow up on this learning. I want to know more about iPAD apps teachers use and how students use them to assist, document, and also publish their learning. Best of all, I got to meet new people. That morning I met a couple of elementary school teachers who use iPADs in their classrooms to assess students and they both collaborate on their professional learning. A new connection means new opportunities. Yay!!! They had just invited me into their classrooms next week to check it out… see this all in action with students. I just love it… and I’m going. Thank you #iOSsummit. I would encourage others to checkout technology and how it could be used in your classroom.

Woohoo TedxLangleyED

Finally… a moment to reflect on my professional learning in the new year… the year of the Monkey BTW. The year starts with a BANG with TedxLangleyED. It was so great to see my friend and former school trustee Cecelia Reekie be one of the speakers to share her story at this event. Loved it… and this was only the beginning. First of all, I love professional development and professional learning as it nourishes my soul and fills my cup like nothing else. Second, I love coming to events like these because it’s such a great opportunity to connect with those from my Professional Learning Network (PLN) face-to-face. I saw Ron Dorland, Janice Novakowski, Rose Pillay, Jan Malcolm, Shawn Davids, Janet Lauman, Michelle Hiebert, Karen Lirenman, Carrie Antoiniazzi, and D’Alice Marsh… to name a few. It’s like a crazy edu-family reunion. Way too much fun. Third, the speakers and presenters were super amazing and I loved the message… passion, do what you love, and find your strengths. The day was validating for me. I had just finished my draft Chapter 4 of my dissertation and TedxLangleyED added fuel to my fire. Listening to Ryan Radford and Harnessing your Geek… to Chris Wejr and Starting with Strengths… to Hugh McDonald in Keeping Kids in the Game… to Shelley Moore and sharing her practice from Under the Table. This is just a sample of the amazing speakers at TedxLangleyED (aka. phenomenal BC educators) who shared their passion, love, and strengths in/for education. Incredible. Do you know what was super crazy about this whole event? The first 5 rows of the event was a SCREENFREE ZONE, meaning no phones, no iPad, no laptops. Many of us were in a bit of a dilemma… many of my friends sat way in the the back. Not me. I am such a supernerd (and not shy about it) and sat in the front row, which was followed up by 2-hours of retweeting and downloading pictures on Twitter. Thank you PLN. And, thank you Superintendent Suzanne Hoffman, Principal John Pussic, and the SD35 Tedx CREW for making this all possible. Looking forward to next year’s event!!!

What Motivates One to Blog?

That’s a super good question. Some are motivated by the challenge of blogging everyday like Ian Landy in his blog Technolandy: Site of Ian Landy. Others are motivated to blog to challenge other educators to look at his or her practice in a critical way like Rose Pillay in her blog Fail Better. For me? I blog when I get inspired. It could be an “aha,” a good feeling, or not so good feeling. Today, it was the latter… a not so good feeling… and finding the tools to muster the strength to pick myself up. What is most mesmerizing about today is that it happened in three. You’d think this is an old wives tale but when it happens and you don’t pick up the message… trouble is to be had. Today, I will admit that the message has been received. Not pretty when you want to cry before and after a meeting for different reasons. UGH!! Well… you just keep that to yourself… push those feelings down… nothing is happening. It’s in your imagination. With my #oneword2016, I am gaining some clarity that I had never expected. The crazy part is, denial only keeps us in a safe place. What’s the purpose in that? The making is in the breaking. No one likes to be broken. No one likes change. No one likes letting go. News flash… it will either happen to you or you choose to. Keeping the status quo, as mentioned in many previous blogs, serves no purpose except to keep things the same. Who does that serve? You? Meh. Not worth it. Yes, I have experienced 3 crappy things today knowing that it was meant to happen.

I am… Learning

Welcome to a new year and I can already feel the shift. Early in 2016, I have already responded to the #bcedchat Resolution Challenge and declared my #oneword for 2016. Was I expecting any changes within a week? Absolutely not. I was just casting out to the universe what I truly desire (at this point in time) and my actions need to follow my intentions. As I was walking my dog the other day in my neighbourhood, it became clear to me that I AM LEARNING. I was overwhelmed with a sense of calm and happiness; I realized my purpose. Since then, my perspective has changed; my mindset has shifted. In this awakening, it was so easy to move forward… to write… make decisions and take risks. From this vantage point as learner, I was able to make myself a priority. For example, I registered for my first EdTech workshop with the iOS Summit in Vancouver, I signed up for the SFU Thesis Bootcamp, and I’m going to see Daniel Pink speak as the keynote at the FISA BC Convention 2016. Am I stoked? Yes I am. I am the learner. Best of all, I am deriving great joy from writing my draft dissertation and finding other opportunities to write, speak, and learn. I am so excited. 11-days into the new year and I have already exceeded my expectations. This is a good place to be.

BCEdChat Resolution Challenge

Resolution Challenge/Inquiry Question/Professional Goal: To complete my dissertation. I would like to have my draft document done by the Spring of 2016 and complete my oral defence in the Summer of 2016. “I am a writer” is my NEW MANTRA. And truth… 20+ years ago, I would have never imagined it. You cannot surprise yourself unless you try. I never thought that I would make it through my undergrad. I never thought I would get into the Faculty of Education. I never thought I could complete my Master of Education. Well… you can see a pattern. My inquiry is, when we remove the barriers in front of us, what’s possible? It’s anything, really.

Why is this important to me? At first, I started my doctorate to achieve the “good external” that is, change my status, reputation, or occupation… all of the wrong reasons. Now, I am motivated by the “goods internal”… the learning, the challenge, and the wonderful edu-surprises. I love what I have learned about myself, I love the people I have met, and I love my dissertation. I am excited about what’s next.

What do I hope to see or experience as a result of this? I hope to see my dissertation bound and in the SFU Library, convocation, and publication… no pressure. I would also like to have the opportunity to pursue further research, return teaching (in some way), and find other ways to challenge my false beliefs as a learner and teacher. I’ve surprised myself many times during this dissertation journey, not really expecting that I would enjoy data analysis. Who would have thought? I also enjoy the writing process… another surprise to self. I just love nourishing my edu-spirit and soul as a LEARNER. It’s been messy and I’m ready for the next chapter.

What are some resources that can help me? Ask questions and ask for help… ask myself, my supervisor, and my edu-colleagues. I am so grateful to have a supportive people around me. This took me some time to understand, but also be vulnerable to it. Thank you everyone for lending a helping hand and for your unsolicited kindness and support. I love my PLN, my SFU EdD Cohort, and all those in my edu-community. Just ask a question… ask for help. Vulnerability and courage are key to learning.

PS. I have updated and added to my #bcedchat blog on the fly. It was fun and look forward to Sunday, February 28th at 7pm PST for our Resolution Challenge follow-up. 

Purging

Purging our crap away. What a consumeristic way of living… yet it persists. Just unloaded 5 garbage bags of unwanted goods to the thrift store today. Between my daughter and I, we purged our past lives away… well, a good chunk of it in preparation for what’s next. For my daughter, the transformation is pretty obvious. She’s no longer a baby or little girl. She’s a tween and soon to be teenager. The mountain of stuffed animals, waxed crayons, and plastic toys no longer serve their purpose in this girl’s bedroom. Her closet, drawers, and underneath her bed have been completely cleared out. Now, her room looks somewhat pristine with exception to clothes on the floor and make-up bits here and there. My kid is growing up.

As for me, I need to do some growing up as well. Although I am 45, I need to acknowledge that I am (still) in a state of transformation. It would seem ridiculous for my daughter to continue her love and adoration for Dora the Explorer as a young adult as it would be for me to holding on to some of my ‘old ways of being.’ Purging contents from my office became more of a need than a want. As my daughter was purging through her stuff, as well as my husband, and many items that were stored in their space returned my way… my old filing cabinet, binders from my graduate coursework, and various odds ‘n ends. I was running out of room in my office.

Sieving through much of “the crap” in my office, I did not realize what kind of things I was holding on to. I have lots of “Zoe Keepsakes,” like any mom would. I had overhead transparencies and lesson plans from my first year of teaching. Why do these things matter now? I had to question myself. I also held onto some “dark tokens” from my past… my pedagogical past… things that I’m not proud of. Looking at these items were like stabs to the heart to remind me that I am not the “perfect teacher.” When you know better, you’ll do better. I did see many items of joy and happiness, but overwhelmed by those items representing pain. I am not ashamed of these dark tokens, but realize I can let go of them now because I know better.

If anything, this purging process has been a lesson of forgiveness, letting go, and embracing a growth mindset. I could get overwhelmed by stories held by others that may capture or highlight some of my “not so favourable” actions from the past in spite of the fact that some may have fond memories of my teaching practice. It is so easy to dwell on failures and mishaps rather than celebrating the successes. I created what I saw in the classroom. If I was frustrated by the system, I was frustrated with myself in the system. In the end, I was signalling to myself that it was time to leave.

The only person I hold responsible for how things unfolded for me in my pedagogical journey is me… past and present. Currently, my tutoring business is overcapacity with a waitlist, I am teaching teachers about the new curriculum, and I am moving forward with my dissertation with expectations of finishing in 2016. My teaching career has taken a different direction and I am engaged. To get to the next chapter, I have to realize that I am a different person from when I started teaching in 1994 and left public schools in 2010. Yes, many parts of me are the same, I believe that I am a “good teacher,” but my past experiences created the person who I am today.

This photo is a wonderful metaphor. When the trunk is full with clutter, it can weigh you down. You can choose to carry this clutter around with you but you will have no room to incorporate anything new. It’s a choice to unload the clutter to create space to grow, develop, and become a better you. I’m opting for the latter. The trunk has been purged. Goodbye clutter. I hope that you can make other people happy to make new memories, new experiences, or new opportunities. For me, I need to make room for what’s to come. I will no longer shame myself for the mistakes I’ve made. I accept my mistakes. I am learning. I am becoming a better me. I am moving forward.

Mistakes, failure, or “doing something wrong” are learning opportunities… NOT opportunities for self-deprecation, shaming, or blaming. I could spend much of my time pretending and hiding my mistakes from others with hopes of others believing that my life is a straight line. WRONG. This is not sustainable. Unfortunately in this blog, I may be focusing on a handful of “negative things” amongst and million of great and wonderful things, but from today forward I will celebrate my strengths and expertise. I love the people that I get to work with and look forward to others in the future. I love learning and leaning into the discomfort. What I do need to do at all times is surround myself with people who will nourish me, teach me, and love me.

Goodbye junk in my trunk… goodbye boxes of recycling… and goodbye edu-garbage. You do not bring me joy. You have served your purpose and now you must go.

Biggest Impact

You never know when you are going to learn something new, from where or from whom. Last week, we had our Community Futures Board of Directors meeting the other day and we were planning for the new year. First, I would like to note… the new board of directors are exceptional and I appreciated their insight, contribution, and voice at the table. Second, I was struck by the comment… what will make the biggest impact. Yes, there are many things one could do, but what’s worthwhile?

In education, every role in the system has an impact on student learning. For example, I loved teaching secondary mathematics in public schools. I adored the relationships I made with students and making math fun. In my mind, learning math is not meant to achieve credit or graduation, but it’s a form of communication, a tool to learn about your learning, and a means to discover patterns, interconnections, and application. For me, teaching math was an opportunity to learn about their learning, learn about my learning, and learn about learning. I miss that.

Look at this photo. Who doesn’t like students on their knees doing math? I love it. I think that my students loved it too. This photo is from the archives and these former Math 12 students are adults. Whatever they are doing, I wish them all the best and honoured to be a part of their lives. I continue some of these relationships via social media. Just the other day, a former student informed me on Facebook that she used one of my teaching strategies during her practicum. Biggest compliment or what?

Now, I am on a different trajectory in education… I find myself teaching teachers in workshops and coursework, engaged in educational research as a graduate student and research assistant, and involved in school governance as a school trustee, locally and provincially. As much as I miss making a big impact on student learning as a secondary mathematics teacher, I am making a different impact on student learning as a facilitator, researcher, and elected official. Moreover, I am also a mathematics tutor, #bcedchat co-moderator, and Math K-9 curriculum developer.

With all of this (and much more not mentioned), what will make the biggest impact? As the thinking goes, spend your time on a few things and do it well instead of doing a lot of things not as well. I am not exactly sure what’s in my future, but I have enjoyed the ride so far. There are so many ways to be involved in education and have an impact on student learning. Depending on your purpose, skill set, and passion… some methods may be more effective than others. At this point in time, I am moving forward with my educational research. We’ll see how that goes. It has been humbling, enriching, and fear-conquering to say the least. This is the learning process.

Something To Aspire To

I love this image. Dr. Yong Zhao presenting at the BCSTA Academy 2015 in Vancouver. He was the keynote speaker at the conference (aka. edu-superstar) where he had talked about the state of education and the need to shift from a state of “sausage making” to an “entrepreneurial mindset.” Where are the Steve Jobs of the world?

Best of all, he holds a coffee cup doing while inspiring a crowd of school trustees, superintendents, and other executive staff. For me, this is something to aspire to. Yong Zhao is such an engaging speaker. I saw him speak a few years ago at a BCSSA Conference and earlier this year at the BCEd Plan relaunch in January at the Wosk Centre, “Focus on Learning.” I love his message, approach, and research.

Yong Zhao’s message is aligned to the direction and intentions of the new BC curriculum. His passion, willingness to question, and courage to challenge the school system are admirable and honourable. I am aligned to this mindset. Let’s create. Let’s innovate. Let’s focus on our strengths and follow our dreams. As Yong Zhao asks, how can we get our children out of our basement and into the real world?

One has to wonder… What does it mean to pursue your dreams and make a living doing so? I’m still trying to figure that out… and 100% grateful for those who are out there helping me. It’s a crazy journey. We spend so much time in schools “making the same” (aka. sausages). How do we really know what we’re passionate about? Why do we strive to be the same? We even evaluate (or rank) students on how well they have achieved this sameness. This bothers me as an educator, student, and parent.

How can we honour student learning that is personalized? How can we acknowledge the achievement of competencies, not content? These are the BIG IDEAS that school districts from around the province must grapple with. Some teachers and some schools are doing this as we speak. On the other hand, there are many teachers and many schools who are not doing this and struggle with the lack of learning outcomes, recommended learning resources, and prescribed implementation.

This is a HUGE philosophical and pedagogical shift. And in the same hand, this is a HUGE opportunity to embrace professional autonomy, to create an education system that best fits student learning, and to innovate in ways that challenges the status quo of education as COLLECTIVE ACTION. The need or want for change will not be perceived as an outlier, but expected in a culture of learning. This excites me.