Educational Consultant, Graduate Student, and School Trustee
Just the other day, I was texting with a couple of clients about scheduling and rescheduling tutoring times. I was filled with joy when I realized that these students were advocating for their learning. This is a fantasy of mine. They were deciding what they needed to learn and when. Student advocacy ROCKS! Best of all, we were communicating in an honest and authentic way via Facebook, text, or in-person. 21st Century Learning at it’s finest. This is only one aspect of my job. Aside from tutoring secondary mathematics and chemistry, I give professional development workshops to teachers and give presentations at conferences on my academic work. I love teaching teachers. The experience is dialogical, engaging, and transforming. Teaching teachers directly relates to another aspect of my job… my graduate studies. What am I researching? Professional Learning. Totally crazy or what? I absolutely love it. My research is challenges me to assess my professional learning while exploring the learning experiences of other mathematics teachers. At last, my job as school trustee rounds out my professional learning as graduate student and educational leader. My studies in educational leadership lends itself to my role in governance. I am learning more about the public school system from a different perspective and loving it. Right now, I’m touring several schools in the school district to attend their Christmas Concert or student celebration. I have a unique opportunity to connect with students, parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, and community members from more than one school. What’s my main focus? Student learning. Love it! As fragmented my job may seem, all three components seem to interconnect. Certainly there are times when boundaries are blurred, but all-in-all… I LOVE MY JOB. It’s been an amazing two years. Who knows what’s next? Once my degree is completed and my term as school trustee ceases, it will be another time to reassess. As long as my job involves teaching, learning, and leading, I’m all good.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 19th, 2012 | Comments Off on I Love My Job
RIP Dr. Geoff Madoc-Jones, PhD – December 16, 2012
Just heard today that one of my heros passed away yesterday. His name was Geoff Madoc-Jones. He was infamous on the Sunshine Coast. He taught English and English Literature here many years ago. Some would consider him a trouble-maker. Others would call him a change-maker. I would call him a hero. He pushed the boundaries, questioned authority, and did what he thought was best for students. Eventually, Geoff became a Faculty Associate at Simon Fraser University, got his PhD, taught at the university, and played an administrative role in the Faculty of Education. He was a philosopher. He was passionate about education. He just GOT IT and had very clear ideals about education. Geoff’s trademark in education was pissing many people off. He provoked teachers. He challenged them. He changed their practices. For that, I admired him. Geoff was an amazing man. He taught me during my Masters of Education program on the Sunshine Coast in 1999-2001 and during my Doctor of Education program in 2008-2012. Geoff was also a member of my committee. He was my biggest cheerleader. I appreciated his honesty, expertise, and willingness to help you become a better you. I loved that about Geoff. He never took any credit for his good-teaching. As much as he appeared crazy, he was ultimately humble. I will miss him immensely. He has been instrumental to my academic endeavours and professional career as a teacher. It brings me much sadness to hear this news. RIP Geoff. Thank you for being a great teacher, mentor, and friend.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 18th, 2012 | Comments Off on Goodbye to a Hero
Do you know what? I am surrounded by amazing people. Who do you hang out with? Stop and look around. Yesterday, I was overwhelmed by all the wonderful people who I hang out with. First, check out this awesome photo. I love paddling with people from the Gibsons Paddle Club. We have so much fun on the water and even more fun at coffee. Then I think about those I tutor and give professional development presentations to. My clientele is absolutely awesome in addition to all those who support them. I feel very fortunate to work with people who are passionate about teaching and learning, which leads me to the BCAMT. I’ve just returned back from a BCAMT meeting in Vancouver this weekend and I appreciate the rich dialogue, critical thinking, and decision making process. Leadership is shared and I love collaborating with like-minded people working towards mathematics excellence. Of course, I am always grateful for my friends, family, former students, and teacher colleagues. There are no words to describe the kind of relationships we have created and managed to maintain. It’s absolutely incredible. I am also truly fortunate to work with the students, staff, and faculty at SFU. My experience at SFU has been transformational. It’s been an opportunity to challenge ideas, share ideas, teach, learn, take academic risks, and meet great people. At last, I would like to mention the SD46 Board of Education and those at the Board Office. Another set of outstanding people I have the great fortune to work with. I have a deep respect for these people and I love that we are all working towards a common goal. We may disagree from time to time, but I disagree with my husband, daughter, colleagues, clients, etc. from time to time too. It’s all good. THANK YOU… I feel very lucky.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 17th, 2012 | Comments Off on Amazing People
This is a cool pic… Thanks Ed. I’m in the red life jacket with the cool transitions sunglasses. The picture was taken this morning. It was a cold but beautiful sunny day. With frost on the canoes, a crew of 10 were pumped to paddle. I was one of ten. ME with members of the Gibsons Paddle Club outrigging. Ask me a couple of years ago if I would ever be paddling in an outrigger canoe once or twice a week… HA… I would thought you were crazy. First of all, I don’t even know how to swim. One thing led to another and voila… here I am… with friends in the Gibsons Harbour. New to the sport, I am always open to feedback. In return, my paddle buddies have no hesitation to teach me a thing or two. Adult learning ROCKS. Whether if it is in the water or in the classroom… “learning just makes you a better you” (a quote from one of my students). Now that’s cool. Happy Learning.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 15th, 2012 | Comments Off on Adult Learning
I often wonder what life would have been like if I made different choices. Certainly, I have made decisions that were somewhat tangental from the norm and others were status quo. As much as I had imagined my life differently, I am convinced that I was suppose to take this path I’ve chosen to learn something about myself and my place in the world. Some things that I have learned has given me great sadness and other things have brought me great joy. What I’ve learned is, I have to listen to myself, be true to myself, and honour myself. That may sound super ego centric, but for many years I wasn’t listening. Today, I’ve realized that I have very clear guiding principles that dictate my behaviour, emotions, and actions. There is no question that these principles will influence the decisions I will make. I have to make sure I’m listening. In the end, it needs to feel good. Otherwise, I’ll end up being the loser… again. Be true to yourself.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 11th, 2012 | Comments Off on Guiding Principles
Gifts are unexpected surprises. You have no idea what’s inside. Although you may expect one for Christmas or on your birthday, gifts come at different times and in different forms. Recently, I was ‘hit on the head’ again (this is all metaphorical, of course). This time, I was able to GET BACK UP within a short time period. It took about a day or so. I am pleased with my turnaround time. What I realized with this occurrence is that sometimes gifts are disguised as ‘bad things.’ As mentioned in a previous blog, when a door closes, another one opens. And so, it did. Driving to paddle club this morning, I was going over recent events and different scenarios. One thought led to another and I constructed a ‘new’ CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK for my research proposal. It completely fits with my theoretical framework and I believe in it completely as a teacher practitioner, educational leader, and researcher. It is absolutely brilliant. Thank you for the gift.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 07th, 2012 | Comments Off on The Gift
“Mama, you need a Christmas Miracle.” That’s what my daughter said to me this morning. My bubble broke, again. It was like someone had told me that Santa was dead. That might seem extreme, but it was strange for a 9-year old girl to see her mom cry. I explained to her that something I deeply believed in was no longer true. Whereas my daughter still believes in Santa and that’s not a bad thing. It makes her hopeful. It sparks her imagination. It invites her to believe that anything is possible. Was it denial or naive optimism on my part? Who knows. After a few tears and moments of deep reflection, the breaking is in the making. And, I am grateful. As much as it brought me great sadness, I broke some emotional ties that moves me forward to realize my dreams. A door has closed. Another door is opening some time soon.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 07th, 2012 | Comments Off on A Christmas Miracle
On your marks… get set… GO! Wait a minute… Do I have to jump? What if I screw up? What if I don’t win? In this photo, my daughter has no fear in jumping. In fact, she looks forward to it. Everything else is noise. It’s not about what other people think. It’s more about the joy she derives from doing it. According to Malcolm Gladwell (2000) in the Tipping Point, it takes about 10000 hours to become an expert at something. The Beattles did it. Practice makes perfect. I have to JUMP. The only way to achieve the goods internal to the practice (and external goods) is to engage in the practice (MacIntyre, 1984). The more I learn about learning with my academic studies, the more I am convinced about JUMPING. I have to jump. Fear is my biggest barrier or biggest excuse. How does this serve me? It doesn’t. Focus on the now… and jump… things will unfold in the exact way it’s suppose to. Trust. I’m jumping. Wheeee….
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 05th, 2012 | Comments Off on Jumping
A year in review… it’s been one year since I’ve been elected to the SD46 Board of Education and I’m loving it. First of all, it’s 7 people, with 7 points of view, and 7 voices talking about one thing… student learning. Although I may not be making a difference with student learning in the classroom as a practicing math/science teacher (aka. 16 years of my past life in this school district), I am making a difference on the Board with governance, policy making, and leadership. Serving on the Board has revived my love for teaching and learning. I am deeply invested in SD46 as a teacher practitioner, parent, and school trustee. This is such an awesome school district and it’s only getting better. Thank you to those in the District of Sechelt for electing me in the 2011 Municipal Election. My life has been completely transformed. I work with amazing people, I love talking about education, and I enjoy learning more about SD46. Feeling lucky. Much gratitude.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, December 02nd, 2012 | Comments Off on First Year on the Board
Voice on the Coast is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 whose mantra is to find ways to make the Sunshine Coast a viable place to live for young adults and young families. On November 26, 2012, Voice on the Coast hosted their inaugural AGM describing who they are, what’s their purpose, and how they would like to move forward. YOU can become a member with core leadership, volunteerism, $10, or corporate sponsorship. Be the VOICE on the Inside. The AGM was short and sweet. The steering committee soon became the elected/acclaimed board and WTF? (Where’s the Future) Party by UBC professor Paul Kershaw was the feature presentation. More than 150 people attended this local event. With social media… “you’re invited.” The presentation was phenomenal. Lots of data, lots of dialogue, lots of fun… Keep the beer flowing and so will the conversation. Thank you Voice on the Coast, Paul Kershaw, and party attendees. It was an awesome evening.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, November 28th, 2012 | Comments Off on Voice on the Coast
