What an amazing event at Robert Creek Community Elementary School (RCCES). On June 21st, the students, staff, and community members celebrated ABORIGINAL DAY. Students were divided up into groups and rotated through stations throughout the day (as seen above). The day was beautiful. The sun was shining and students were enjoying the outdoor/aboriginal education day. As school trustee, I am fortunate to partake in such a wonderful event. The bannock, salal berry jelly, and BBQ salmon were delicious. I much enjoyed the drumming, singing, and stories told about the canoe and teepee. All-in-all, it was a memorable day. Thank you to the organizers, the SD46 Aboriginal Education Team, and the RCCES Parent Advisory Council. This day could not have been possible without the work of all of you.
Thank you RCCES and Happy Aboriginal Day.
The Friendship Circle
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 26th, 2012 | Comments Off on Aboriginal Day at RCCES
It’s the end of the school year and various celebrations are occurring on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate our teachers, administrators, and support staff. I feel honoured to have attended a few celebrations so far as school trustee. I’ve gone to the Retired Teachers / Long Service Awards Luncheon and the ACE-IT Carpentry Program Celebration. I am a little bummed that I was unable to attend the Sunshine Coast Teachers’ Association (SCTA) Retired Teachers Celebration and the West Sechelt Elementary Retired Teachers/Staff Celebration. Lots of stories shared. However, I am happy to know that these people are being acknowledged and celebrated. Thank you all for the invitations and CONGRATULATIONS to retired teachers, long-serving staff, and Ace-It students. You are all super awesome!
Retired Teachers and School Principals Celebration 2012
Long Serving SD46 Employees (31+ Years of Service)
SCAS Ace-It Carpentry Program Celebration 2012
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 26th, 2012 | Comments Off on A Time for Celebration
This is a Coast Reporter “Letter to the Editor” submission I have just composed (and just tweaked in the blog post submission. Sheesh. If published, I hope that the editor tweaks it too. I just wanted to share with you an amazing learning experience I had the other day that has SHIFTED my thinking with regard to the shíshálh Nation and what teaching & learning could look like for aboriginal students and students in general. I loved the community feel of the shíshálh Nation Business Networking Forum. It took a lot of courage to lunge forward to share their stories in hopes of building relationships and business partnerships. I appreciated their honesty and positive attitude about moving forwards. There is a sense of justice, or right-doing, with the stories shared, partnerships acknowledged, and willingness to collaborate. I guess this preamble could have been used as part of the Letter to the Editor submission, but can’t go back in time. It’s about the now. Moving forwards.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR SUBMISSION (Submitted: June 15, 2012)
Thank you shíshálh First Nation for hosting the Business Network Forum on June 14, 2012. I went to the event as a school trustee, but could have attended the event as a business owner or teacher. I was one of many. This inaugural event was informative and inspirational. My understanding of the shíshálh Nation has exponentially expanded beyond my limited understanding of the Raven’s Cry Theatre and Extra Foods Gas Bar. People from the shíshálh Nation opened their arms to the business community and government organizations to share their stories and information about SIB, SIGD, Tsain-Ko, and shíshálh Nation. I loved the drumming and singing, the various speakers, the buffet lunch, and keynote speaker Howard Rainer. Much like any professional development, the opportunity to network was worthwhile. I enjoyed chatting with Chief Garry Feschuk, SIB/SIGD council members, staff members, forum attendees, and those manning the presentation tables. I appreciated the aboriginal approach to the forum and felt welcomed into the community. I learned so much and walk away from the forum with many stories and the potential for partnerships. Bottom line: It’s not about the past, but it’s about building relationships, opportunities, and mutual understanding. We all come with a history, but we can move forward working together towards a common goal. This is only the beginning. All my relations.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 15th, 2012 | Comments Off on shíshálh Nation Business Networking Forum
With a zillion things on the go, it’s often difficult to determine if I am living the dream or dreaming to live. I stepped away from a full-pension situation to explore other opportunities in education and leadership. I wanted to learn “something new.” I planted seeds to watch what happens. Some things take, other things don’t. Either way, it was meant to be. As unorthodox my pedagogical journey is, I am so grateful to be inthe right place, right time. I love tutoring & consulting. I love working with teachers on promoting math education. I love working at SFU supporting teachers as learners. I love being a school trustee. After a lively, to say the least, 3-hour Board of Education meeting, I walked away from the event feeling purposeful. Now that’s a good feeling.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 13th, 2012 | Comments Off on Right Place, Right Time
I have known Beatrice since I had moved to the Sunshine Coast, that is almost 20 years ago. I first met Beatrice at the Gibsons Curling Club. She was giggly and a good sport. I loved her ‘go with the flow’ attitude on the curling ice. Outside from curling, I would see Beatrice from time to time in Sechelt. She would be in Shoppers Drug Mart or on Cowrie Street waving hello, cracking a joke with a smile. We both drifted from the sport of curling. Life gets busy and priorities change. We reunited at Pulling Together 2010, the Salish Sea Canoe Journey. I was not a paddler and she was a water junkie. I did not know that about her. That year, Beatrice volunteered to be a part of the ground crew. Deep down inside, she wanted to paddle. When called up to fill a spot, she never hesitated. I loved her enthusiasm and I appreciated her patience even more.
My last memory of Beatrice was at the June 2012 DPAC (district parent advisory council) meeting at Chatelech Secondary. She was sitting a across from me, wearing her Pulling Together fleece, saying “hey, there’s trouble.” We chatted and giggled a bit. I was at the DPAC meeting as a school trustee. I asked her why she was there. She said that she was representing the Chatelech PAC. That was so awesome. Once again, something else I did not know about her. Less than a week later, Beatrice lost her life on June 3, 2012 during a search and rescue volunteer training session. There was an accident and 2 of 4 trainees did not survive. A mutual friend shared the news with me the next morning. I was in shock. Someone who served so many, lost her life doing something she loved.
Above is a photo from the 2011 Pulling Together Canoe Journey. It is a picture of the Sunshine Coast Canoe Family posing on a beach in Ucluelet, the first day of the Journey. I think that this photo would bring Beatrice much joy. In this Journey, she was a full-fledged paddler with the Dolphin Spirit. Another thing I have learned about her since her passing was that she is a private person. I was one of 72 of her friends on Facebook. Truly an honour. So, I would point her out in the photo, but I figure that would “piss her off” and she would not want me to do that. Therefore, if you know her, you can find her in the photo. If you don’t, no worries. Be reassured, she is present.
Thank you Beatrice for the life-lessons you have taught me… SERVE… BE PRESENT… LIVE YOUR PASSION… PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE… and SMILE. RIP Beatrice. You will be missed. Paddles up!
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 08th, 2012 | Comments Off on A Tribute to Beatrice
This is one of my most favorite pictures… me and my daughter walking on the beach together. She and my family surprised me one day in West Vancouver during the 2010 Pulling Together Journey. The 2010 Canoe Journey was my Pulling Together experience but it also marked a significant turning point in my pedagogical journey.
It was this Journey when I had first acknowledged publicly that I was a doctoral candidate (and had been for months), it was the first time I paddled in a canoe (and I don’t know how to swim), and it was the first time I felt collective efficacy (a group of people working together towards a common goal). The experience was transformational. A few months after the 2010 Journey, I made a life-changing decision to leave teaching in public schools to pursue other educational opportunities and work on my dissertation. I am still working on my dissertation, but I have encountered many educational opportunities and loving it.
When I look at this picture, I am reminded of a metaphor. My relationship with my daughter has been in a state of change since she was born. Once I figured out “the rules,” the rules would change. No one sent me a memo. I would have to adapt. In this photo, my daughter was 7 years old. She saw her as a little girl. She would get the motherly death grip when we walked through Metrotown after having dim sum with my parents. I had to know her every move. It was my job. She’s my little girl. Then one day, she looks at me with disgust, pulled her head back, and says, “Mom, we’re in public.” The rules changed. No more walking to and from school. No more holding hands. No more public displays of affection. For me, those days are over. Letting go helps her thrive to become the person she is meant to be. Holding on frustrates her, angers me, and she becomes someone else.
What’s the metaphor? I am changing. I am on a pedagogical journey. I made decisions in search for something different. The crazy part, I am holding onto the way things were. It’s been almost two years since I have left teaching in public schools to become a full-time graduate student and self-employed as an educational consultant. In the 2011, I topped the polls in the municipal elections to become a school trustee. A new me. I am an educational leader. I am teaching mathematics. I am engaged in professional development. In truth, I am living the life. What am I holding onto? Another big step in life and letting go. When I hold onto ‘my story,’ I cannot thrive. Here’s the truth, regardless of title, position, or employment… I am still a educator, a learner, a leader. Much like my daughter, the rules are changing but she’s still ZOE. Let it go. Things are great. My business is growing. I love serving on the SD46 Board of Education. My dissertation needs work.
Letting go of the past to become the person I was meant to be is the right thing to do. Good bye STORY, you have expired. Time to move on to a new story. I do have a job. I am teaching and learning. I am an integral part of the community. I am making a difference. That’s all that matters.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 06th, 2012 | Comments Off on A New Me
I was trying to find a pic of my kid at swimming lessons, instead I posted a pic of me posing with some of my students a few years ago (but zoomed right into my face). It’s all good.
I wanted to write today about MATH. Yup. You heard me, MATH. I don’t want to solve math problems, but would love to solve problems relating to math. When I was teaching grades 8-12 math, I was determined to have all students feel like they can do math. If the learner believes they can do math, they will. Any self-doubt will result in failure. A positive sense of self-efficacy to do math is key.
Not to say that I am a one-girl show, but I have always wanted to share the love for math with my colleagues, students, and parents. Internalizing a false-story of “I can’t” is a lie that cannot tolerate. I knew at some intuitive level that I made a difference in my students’ lives in one way or another when I taught them math. When I decided to leave teaching at public schools to pursue graduate studies and educational leadership opportunities, I still had full intentions of promoting mathematics in a positive way.
I am involved with the BC Association of Mathematics Teachers, I deliver professional development workshops to teachers, and tutor students and adults math. Furthermore, my dissertation has intentions of contributing to mathematics education and educational leadership; and my trusteeship ‘talks math’ too. Just the other day I was talking math with a parent/teacher during my daughter’s swimming lessons. From this conversation, we started talking about mathematics and pedagogy. I LOVED IT. This parent/teacher was inspired by some of the ideas such that this person was willing to incorporate them into his/her teaching practice. Super cool. Influence one, influence many.
I love talking math with teachers. I love talking math with parents. I love talking math with students. The greatest reward is knowing that all three cohorts love talking about it too. Sometimes I wonder about my pedagogical journey… where am I going… what’s my purpose… what’s the next chapter… in the end, I know that I’m going in the right direction. People feel good about learning about math and I feel great sharing my love for math with them. Everyone can do math… MATH RULES.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 04th, 2012 | Comments Off on Talking Math
What does that mean? Professionalism at the SD46 Golf Tournament. First of all, I am deeply apologetic to my golf team. I arrived 2 hours late. In fact, the event completely escaped my mind. I was lying on the couch wondering why I had nothing scheduled for tonight. With a 530pm tee time, I drove to the golf course at 7pm in hopes of connecting up to my golf team on the course. Much gratitude to those who lent a helping hand during my search. I loved chatting to various foursomes en route. The Sunshine Coast Golf Course is so beautiful and it was a great day to golf. Eventually, I did find my team with 2 holes remaining in the tournament.
After golfing, it was an opportunity to socialize. Time to grab a beverage and talk to those who played in the tournament. I loved watching those who had a tonne of fun and let loose. I loved talking to those who asked how things are going and if I enjoyed my ‘new job’ as a school trustee. I loved laughing and reuniting with people in the school district. What impressed me about my conversations was the level of professionalism. With the labour dispute, changes in the upcoming school year, and added pressure of year end, everyone who participated in the SD46 Golf Tournament was in good spirits. I enjoyed talking with people at the event as school trustee and I appreciated the support of my peers with regards to my career path and role on the Board.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Bev and all those who spent the time and effort in organizing and facilitating this district event. The SD46 Golf Tournament has been a success for 2012 with 19 teams registering. Lots of great prizes and lots of yummy food. Next year, I am determined to bring in an SD46 Board of Education foursome to this tournament. It’s a great way to team build, meet people in the school district, and have fun. Thank you everyone for a great evening!
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 02nd, 2012 | Comments Off on Professionalism at the SD46 Golf Tournament
For a District Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC) that barely existed for several years in School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast), it has been revived in 2012/13. Only six months ago, the SD46 DPAC elected an executive committee with a handful of parents attending the meeting. Tonight, there were more than 30 attendees. As school trustee, I am pleased with the turnout and the dialogue amongst parents, senior staff, school principals, trustees, and community school coordinators. Tonight’s topic: Extracurricular Activities for 2012/13.
In light of the teachers’ labour dispute and refusal to volunteer in extracurricular activities that extends beyond the school day, concerned parents gathered at DPAC to share ideas, collaborate, and find ways to provide extracurricular activities (aka. memories, skill development, and experiences) for their children while remaining respectful to teachers. Parents do not want to be political. They want to provide learning opportunities via extracurricular activities for their children. DPAC is a forum for parents to discuss topics of interest with other parents from other schools in the District with hopes of creating ways to make the most of the situation. It was an awesome dialogical event with parents problem solving and asking questions to make some sense of the public school system.
What I enjoyed most was the DPAC’s immediate sense of community. They wanted to share resources, work together, and find ways to effectively communicate with each other. Only a few months ago, a handful of parents at DPAC were asked to brainstorm for the 2012-2015 SD46 Strategic Plan. Those parents said that with declining enrollment and resources, they wanted to see schools working together to provide the best education we can for our students. It was so exciting for me to see on May 29th three dozen participants at DPAC working together finding ways to provide the best education (re: extracurricular activities) for our students. DPAC is working for kids. With a diverse representation of parents from schools on the Sunshine Coast, parents had a common goal. They want to provide extracurricular activities to students in the school district so that their learning experiences are not minimized with the labour dispute, declining enrollment, or limited resources.
I was truly inspired. The revised SD46 Strategic Plan has not been published yet, but what the SD46 DPAC desired three months ago came to fruition at the May 2012 DPAC meeting. Congratulations.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 01st, 2012 | Comments Off on DPAC is Working for Kids
How do you know if you are living on purpose? Meaning, are you doing what you are meant to be doing with your life? Are you doing what you doing because you actually intended to?
“Unless you are prepared to give up something valuable you will never be able to truly change at all, because you’ll be forever in the control of things you can’t give up” (Andy Law).
I get this. I spent 16 years of my adult life teaching high school mathematics. With good times and bad, I truly enjoyed teaching secondary mathematics. Leaving the teaching profession was not an easy decision. In hindsight, I made the right decision. I am still teaching secondary mathematics with my consulting business and I’m still involved with professional development and the public school system as a graduate student and school trustee. The best part is, I’m doing all this on my terms. I would not have realized this without taking a leap of faith in hopes of living on purpose.
I cannot dwell on how things were or how things could be. What I can celebrate is the now. I am so grateful for the opportunities I am faced with each day. On the one hand, it’s scary and uncertain. On the other hand, I make mistakes and lessons are learned. As a result, I get better, stronger, and more determined. I would not have met the people I know today or engage in leadership opportunities without making a significant shift in my life. As much as making the shift was difficult, I am thankful for everything that has happened to me since. My advice: take the leap and BELIEVE.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, May 30th, 2012 | Comments Off on Living on Purpose
