Christine Ho Younghusband

Twitter for Trustees

@BC_STA AGM – Kamloops, BC – April 25-28, 2013

After I Found My Jam in Kamloops, presenting to school trustees at the BCSTA AGM was my peanut butter.  I had the great fortune of facilitating a concurrent workshop titled, Twitter for Trustees.  What an awesome opportunity to share what I know about Twitter with my colleagues.  The audience ranged from no technology to 15K followers.  It was an interesting audience to navigate with, but I am truly grateful for @silaswhite (SD46) and @ChrisGorman (SD23) for stepping up and helping me out with the interactive parts of my workshop.  Loved it!!!  My two favorite Twitter guys… and a deep thank you to @bettybaxter9 @LoriAnnPratt @DaveMewhort and @Patrick_Bocking from SD46.  The unconditional support from my Board of Education is always appreciated.  They were an integral part of my presentation and they were happy to play along.  Nothing beats a shameless plug.  And thank you to @GoodallRob @glendaollero from the BCSTA + Twitter mentions.  A must do again…  LIKE.

Found My Jam

What is your jam?

When I was in the practice, teaching in public schools, I would go to many craft fairs to admire all of the wonderful things people created and committed their time to.  My interest in craft fairs extended beyond the candles, jewelry, and homemade fudge.  I had a hidden agenda… what is their jam?  OK… I know that jam is also sold at these craft fairs, but I wondered more about the artists’ motivation, love, and commitment.  Why do they do what they do?  As a result, I would ask them their story.  A good story always equated to one purchase.  Then I would wonder, what is my drive?  I guess I was looking for my jam. Why do I do what I do?  It was only until I was driving home from Kamloops a couple of weeks ago when I realized I found my jam.  I love teaching and learning.  For those who know me, this seems pretty obvious.  Unfortunately, it was not obvious to me.  I got bogged down by other things that distracted me from the obvious.  In Kamloops, I facilitated a workshop with secondary math teachers in the morning and elementary First Nations support workers in the afternoon.  Loved both sessions.  I got hyped about math, they got hyped about math, and I got hyped on their hype.  The experience was exponential.  This is a nice place of knowing.  I derive great joy from teaching and learning, and now leadership.  Thank you Kamloops!!!

Listen and Let Go

Victoria, BC – Math Curriculum Development Team

I have learned so much by being a part of the Math K-10 Curriculum Development Team.  It was a unique opportunity to work with other math educators in BC from public and independent schools.  I got contribute to the direction of math education in light of the BCEd Plan and new Provincial Curriculum.  Finally, I was able to authentically share my views of math education and how it could be for kids.  Guess what?  So did everyone else around the table… It was an opportunity to influence, compare, and compromise.  The mantra: LISTEN and LET GO.  If you held onto your ideas too tightly, you were not able to listen.  The lesson is to LISTEN… to others and yourself.  Once you can listen, sometimes letting go is the best thing to do.  By letting go, you are able to get to “the next level.”  This happened over and over again at the curriculum development table.  This lesson also resonates in my life.  Listen and let go.  I cannot realize my potential by holding onto what is or what was.

Perfectly Aligned

Math K-10 Curriculum Development Team in Victoria

I often wonder why things happen the way they do.  When I look back, it seems to be perfectly aligned like it was meant to happen.  For instance, I just returned from Victoria working with the K-10 Math Curriculum Development Team, a once in a lifetime experience.  The reason I got to work with the team is because Elaine Colgate from the Ministry saw me present at the UBC Aboriginal Math Symposium earlier this year.  The reason I presented the symposium is because Cynthia Nicol from UBC Math Education heard me speak a couple of years ago.  The reason why she heard me speak is because Kerry Mahlman from SD46 invited me to the first symposium.  The reason why I was invited is because Kerry and I worked on an Aboriginal Math project a few years ago.  The reason why we work on that project is because our school district extended the instructional time for Math 8/9 students and I wanted bridge the achievement gap.  Who would have thought?  It all lined up.  I am truly grateful.

Behind the Blog

Pulling Together 2011 hanging out with my buddy Signy

Where did the month of April go?  As mentioned in an earlier blog, 2013 has been totally awesome.  I had educational leadership opportunities that extended beyond my imagination.  Hawaii International Conference on Education, UBC Aboriginal K-12 Math Symposium, Kamloops Teachers’ Professional Development, BCSTA AGM, and K-10 Math Curriculum Development Team… and this is only the beginning.  With only one more day left working with the Ministry of Education on the Math Curriculum, I cannot believe all of the wonderful things I got to engage in to nourish my pedagogical soul.  Who would have known without stepping out of my box.  The down side is, I am now BEHIND THE BLOG.  It’s been two weeks since my last entry and deepest apologies to my Bloggies.  It’s about sharing a common story or being inspired.  Today, I was inspired.  I am motivated to write… in my blog… and in research.  Today’s aha is… THE WHAT.  Honestly, I get it.  BTW: More blogs to come.

Follow the Leader

Life lessons comes to me in the strangest ways.  I’ve just returned from my trip to Kamloops.  It’s about a 5-hour drive with ferry.  I am not the greatest driver, especially on road trips.  This was a solo trip.  I was scheduled to present and I did not give driving a second thought until I got onto the Coquihalla Highway.  At first, it was beautiful and sunny in Hope.  I stopped at the Dairy Queen for a small dipped cone to celebrate my first accomplishment of driving from Vancouver to Hope.  I proceeded onto Highway 5 and over the ridge… BOOM… hail, rain, snow, fog… you name it… it happened.  “Limited visibility” is an understatement.  I could not see what was in front of me, except for the red brake lights of a flatbed 18-wheeler truck.  I followed him like he was my best friend.  When he changed lanes, I changed lanes.  When he slowed down, I slowed down.  When he passed trucks, I passed trucks.  It was follow the leader.  Certainly, I followed him by choice, but it was clear to me that he had the expertise, the confidence, and the patience to have me follow him from Hope to Merritt.  Many vehicles passed us en route (not sure how), but I faithfully follow him because I had much to learn.  In a way, he was showing me the ropes.  We parted ways in Merritt.  From Merritt to Kamloops, the drive was still pretty sketchy but I managed to make it to my destination safe and sound.  Kamloops was also beautiful and sunny.  On reflection, I could have followed any vehicle.  Truthfully, if the vehicle was going to fast or too slow, I would have fell behind or passed by.  I think he knew he was helping me and I’m grateful.  Good leadership is hard to come by.  When I find it, I will follow.  From what I learned, I too will lead.  Thank you Mr. Truck Driver.

Thank you SD73 (Kamloops/Thompson) Secondary Mathematics Teachers and Elementary First Nations Education Support Workers for inviting me to be a part of your professional development day.  I had a wonderful time with you all to share some of my thoughts on assessment, math education, and making math fun. 

SD46 Early Years Fair

What an awesome event.  Thank you to Kirsten Deasey, SD46 staff, vendors, and volunteers for making the 2013 Early Years Fair a huge success.  I love attending educational events, such as this one, as school trustee.  This is the first time the Early Years Fair was held at the Sechelt Learning Centre.  Hundreds of parents, children, SD46 staff, and community members were at the event.  The theme was “Fun at the Farm.”  The stars of the fair were the ponies at the pony rides and the little pig at the petting zoo.  Supporting stars were the those representing Wonderwheels, Spark, the SD46 Early Learning Hub, Aboriginal Early Learning, Kindergarten, and community programs such as the Iris Griffiths Center.  The kids were engaged, each child was given a book as a gift, and the community was present.  I was quite enjoying myself as an observer, but I can only imagine what the experience would like for the child.  My favorite part of the day was talking to the teachers of SD46.  Each of them dressed up as a farmer, each had expressed how much they loved their job and how lucky they feel to work at SD46. Does this bring tears to my eyes?  Not really.  It sends shivers down my spine.  I love it.  It feels great because they feel great.  This excites me.  Even more, I’m excited for the kids entering SD46. Well done everyone!!!  Thank you.  It was a spectacular event.

Serendipity

Serendipity: (noun) an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

Some days I go into a cognitive funk.  I would catch myself in this mental rut and my brain just goes in circles.  It’s those moments of regret, second guessing, and “what if” hypothesizing that gets me into this crazy head space.  I feel lucky when I have moments that smack me on the head and gives me a shake.  The wheel stops spinning and all of a sudden I realize that every decision I’ve made, every experience I’ve had, and every person I’ve met was meant to happen.  Serendipity.  I reflect upon some of the awesome opportunities I got to do this and last year in education and the wonderful people I’ve met.  All of it would not have happened if I had not changed my story… changed my path.  It’s easy to look back to realize that it all was meant to happen. Everything seems so clear.  Looking forward is not so clear.  Whatever is about to happen was meant to happen.  Bring it on!

Making Decisions

The parrot or the peacock?

Here is my kid again… crafting with pipe cleaners… a super Easter gift from her Nana.  My kid loves to craft and create.  Often she will make more than one craft and ask me… “Which one do you like better, Mom?”  Neither?  Both?  They both seem equally good to me.  Not a satisfactory answer because she will ask me again insisting that I have to pick one.  Do I lie?  Do I guess?  What’s the criteria?  I wished it was more obvious to me as to which one is “better.”  Meh.  Truthfully, they are the same.  It is not to say that I don’t like making decisions… I do.  But when it comes to something where you are choosing between two good things, the decision is difficult to make.  Why not both?  Here’s why… sometimes you can’t have both.  Sometimes both choices will conflict with each other in some way and you might end up with neither.  Do you make a pro’s and con’s list?  How about creating a rubric?  Why not go with your instincts?  I like the latter choice, but sometimes listening to my instincts can be difficult if my ego contradicts what my heart desires.  Does this require trust in the universe?  Advice from others?  Or a sign from God?  Right now I am making decisions without a strategic plan.  I have a vision.  I have values.  I need goals.  Everything seems good to me.  Unfortunately, I have to make a choice.  “Mmm… I like the parrot, honey.”

Standing Committee

What an awesome day!!! It was the second meeting of the Standing Committee on Provincial Curriculum. I am honoured to represent the BCSTA (school trustee).  We met in Victoria today.  It was my first time on a float plane. It was my first time at the Ministry of Education. And, it was my first time to meet Maureen Dockendorf, an education guru. It was great to reconnect with committee members and Ministry staff.  It was also great to have representatives from various stakeholder groups.  A full committee lends itself to rich conversation and insight. Best of all, today’s theme was Assessment. Three passionate educators presented about “Assessment for Learning” and the meeting concludes with a student presenter who spoke about her 21st Century Learning experience with a program called SHIFT.  She says there are barriers, but it’s possible.  It takes time, leadership, and respect.  Agreed.  I can see how school trustees will play an instrumental role with the new curriculum in terms of policy, strategic planning, and advocacy.  The ideas are bold.  Implementation is a culture shift. And, curriculum intentions are worthwhile.  I am excited about what’s to come as a school trustee, educator, and mom. Thank you Standing Committee organizers, guests, and members. It was an excellent meeting.