For the longest time I could never hear a compliment. There was a small part of me that knew I was doing a good job at teaching mathematics but I could never acknowledge a compliment. It was almost like I would hear the compliment but I never believed the compliment. Are you talking about me? I was always striving in my teaching practice. That is what I loved about teaching in public schools. I loved that there was so much to learn. I could always be better, do something different, or find new ideas to create and innovate with. Once I got something, I was on to the next “shiny new” edu-thing. I get that same satisfaction now from graduate studies, self-employment, and local politics. What’s different now is, I can hear a compliment. I love being called a “math-whisper” or being offered a delicious “Vegas Roll” for lunch. For teachers, whether in the practice or not, the most effective source of motivation is the compliment. Thank you!
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 20th, 2013 | Comments Off on Accepting a Compliment
Another amazing year serving on the SD46 Board of Education (Sunshine Coast). It is half way through my term as school trustee and we just had our June 2013 Regular Meeting on June 11th. I love how we start our meetings with a “Celebration of Education” presentation. Our first presentation was by Belinda Dinsmore. She is a student from Chatelech Secondary and member of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Club. She shared her learning experiences at a national conference held in Toronto. Our second presentation was by Sandy Middleton from the Sunshine Coast Literacy Coalition. She shared this year’s District Plan and Clarence Joe’s digital storytelling. Both presentations were absolutely amazing! The regular meeting resumed as per usual, but I would like to highlight a recommendation from the Committee to the Whole that was presented to the Board of Education. It was about student trustees. This topic was discussed at the BCSTA AGM 2013, but the motion was defeated. Along side with the SD39 Vancouver Board of Education, the SD46 Sunshine Coast Board of Education unanimously voted in favor of a student trustee and district student leadership team for 2013/14. This is a progressive move made by the SD46 Board of Education and I’m excited. We are leaders in BC public education and I look forward to having the students’ voice at the board table. Happy summer holidays to SD46 staff and students.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 16th, 2013 | Comments Off on Last Board Meeting
Look at me… I’m standing on the far left in both pictures in the blue fleece vest. I was young, pragmatic, and pregnant. I cannot believe that these photos were taken more than 10 years ago. Both of my Math 12 classes were situated “down the hill” from the high school in a kindergarten portable located beside the elementary school. At this time, the school district was growing and the high school was over populated and under construction. Although the school had 8 portables strategically aligned on the parking lot as a pseudo annex, there was no room for my two math classes. The rest of my job assignment was Career and Personal Planning (CAPP) 8-10, so I did not have 5 other math classes to merit a portable or classroom of my own. Be flexible. Why not? I changed my job assignment from a full-time math teacher to CAPP/math teacher. I was looking for change, so why not change locations too? Loved it. Loved making the portable into a Math 12 Mecca. Loved the kids. We had a tonne of fun and learning math was super fun. We were a family. This is what I truly miss about teaching in the classroom. I miss the relationships created with students. I miss the challenge of transforming student beliefs about learning math. I miss the creativity. I miss the crazy randomness of the classroom. Recently, I was asked (again), “Do you miss teaching?” This is a difficult question to answer. I miss many aspects of classroom teaching. Ultimately, I miss the kids. But I don’t miss teaching because I still teach. I tutor math. I facilitate workshops. And, I assist Master of Education students at SFU. “I am teaching.”
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 14th, 2013 | Comments Off on Do You Miss Teaching?
The BCSTA South Coast Branch Meeting to Powell River was outstanding. The South Coast Branch is composed of three school districts: SD46 (Sunshine Coast), SD47 (Powell River), SD48 (Sea-to-Sky). We are the smallest BCSTA branch, but we have much to offer. Representatives from all three school districts were present in addition to the BCSTA President Teresa Rezansoff, BCSTA staff Sherri Moore-Arbour, and BCSTA Director Jane Kellett. On May 31st and June 1st, our host, SD47 Board of Education, did an excellent job highlighting the best of Powell River. First we toured Westview Elementary School, which will be opening on September 2013. The school had many unique features… a thoughtful construction. Then we ventured off to Brooks Secondary to have dinner at the Culinary Arts Restaurant. We were wowed with Brooks Secondary Musical Theatre Group, HUGE spot prawns, and the main course. I chose the lamb shank (as seen below). Others opted for chicken or halibut… equally delicious. During the dessert, SD46 Trustee Lori Pratt, this year’s South Coast Branch president, chaired our official meeting. Reports were shared, secretary elected, and our next meeting to be held online with Blackboard Illuminate. I was so impressed and this was only our first day. On day two, we reunited at Westview Elementary to head out to Haywire Bay. We toured the outdoor environmental education facilities, engaged in outdoor environmental education activities, and listened to SD48 Board of Education’s presentation on their school district’s Education Plan and Project Based Learning (PBL) initiative. Not only was the South Coast Branch meeting an awesome opportunity to network, share ideas, and celebrate our strengths… it was also a time to be inspired, learn, and consider what is possible. Thank you SD47 for a phenomenal field trip. I look forward to our next South Coast Branch meetings: online, at Academy 2013, and at SD48 (Sea-to-Sky).
Culinary Arts Program at Brooks Secondary – Lamb Shank
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 11th, 2013 | Comments Off on South Coast Branch
Elected November 2011 from the District of Sechelt
Halfway through my term as school trustee and loving it!!! As a school teacher, I believed that “leadership” meant “school administration.” On the contrary. Leadership is about serving others and making a difference. I am able to accomplish this as a tutor, workshop facilitator, SFU site assistant, BCAMT executive member, curriculum developer, graduate student, and school trustee. This is only the beginning. I feel honoured to have so many diverse opportunities to lead and learn. I can be myself and speak my truth. This kind of authenticity is worth striving for and I hope to continue this way of being on my pedagogical journey. It feels good. Thank you to all of the wonderful people I’ve met and worked with in my various education leadership roles. You have been an inspiration to me. Leadership is an opportunity to listen, learn, and lead. It’s a gift. Looking forward to the second half of my term as school trustee.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 06th, 2013 | Comments Off on Love Leadership
I would like to consider myself an edu-explorer. Learning something new every day motivates me. For example, I recently sunk my teeth into a stick of chocolate covered bacon. Delicious. I’ve always wanted to try it and one more bucket list item achieved. What’s next? In education, I taught a wide variety of courses ranging from Keyboarding 9 to Calculus 12. I learned a tonne in 15 years of service in public schools. What’s next? Within a handful of years, I became an entrepreneur, doctoral candidate, politician, curriculum developer, public speaker, blogger, website developer, and site assistant at SFU… just to name a few accomplishments. What’s next? Dissertation completion. That entails ethics approval, gathering data, data analysis, lots of research, lots of writing, lots or rewriting, and an oral defense. I do best learning by doing. I am an experiential learner. It’s one step at a time. Mistakes will be made and that’s OK. Love Learning. Welcome to my pedagogical journey.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 05th, 2013 | Comments Off on Love Learning
SD73 First Nations Education Support Workers, April 2013
Taught secondary mathematics for 15 years in BC public schools. Loved it. With the ups and downs, I loved teaching high school students math. It was fun and engaging. Loved building relationships and building confidence. As an educational consultant, I reap the rewards of teaching again from math tutoring and providing math & assessment workshops to educators. In this photo, I was facilitating a workshop to support workers from Kamloops, BC on how to make math fun. In my workshops, the teacher becomes the learner. They were so engaged that we ran out of time and didn’t know it. Now that’s fun!!! Another type of reward comes from a thank you. Last week, I attended a presentation on “Transforming Curriculum” with CISVA in Port Coquitlam. After the session, one teacher introduced himself to me. He said that he attended my AFL workshop for math teachers 2 years ago and it transformed his practice. His kids loved math. Does it get any better than that?
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 03rd, 2013 | Comments Off on Love Teaching
Here is my name tag from the BCSTA AGM 2013. As you can see, I had other notables in the BCSTA organization that extended beyond my name and school district. First, I am an elected member of the BCSTA Education Committee representing the South Coast Branch. Second, I presented a concurrent session to the AGM delegates titled Twitter for Trustees. Finally, I put my name forward as Director for the BCSTA Board of Directors 2013/2014 election. If you have not noticed, I love the work I do as school trustee. The experience has been diverse, engaging, and dynamic. I met a lot of wonderful people from the BCSTA and I am grateful of all of the opportunities I have been afforded. On the other hand, the name tag exemplifies my personal struggle. In my imagination, I want to do everything and anything in the field of education. There are no limitations or boundaries. In the end, I want to teach, learn, and lead. Finding my place in education is currently in progress. I don’t have a definitive goal in mind because I don’t believe the job or position currently exists. However, I am confident it will one day. I am grateful to be a school trustee, educator, consultant, graduate student, tutor, curriculum writer, and educational leader. I love being a change agent. My short term goal is to finish my dissertation. What’s my long term goal? Patience… I’ll know soon.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 02nd, 2013 | Comments Off on Finding My Place
I cannot believe it has been 10 years since my kid entered my life. My life completely turned around when she was born. From a full-time teacher, careerist, and 24/7 educator… to a full-time mom, nurturer, and 24/7 provider. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I have no regrets. Certainly there has been many up-days and some down-days. Overall it’s been an awesome ride so far. Aside from the fact that there is no manual or guidebook to tell me when “the rules” change, what I love most about my kid is her innate ability to humble me. I thought I was a pretty strong willed, clearly opinionated, and an independent thinking individual. I pale in comparison to my kid. She too is a strong willed, clearly opinionated, and an independent thinking individual. She is honest, thought provoking, and willing to question authority. She is a critical thinker, self-determined, and stubborn. But she is also kind, good-intentioned, and community-oriented. The more I describe her, I am thinking “apple-tree.” I don’t think I can blame this one on my husband. I am proud of my kid. She forces me to reflect and be a better person. I appreciate how she is willing to question my decisions and character. It takes a lot of courage considering she could be told to go to her room or time-out. Teaching and learning between us is continuous and reciprocated. I look forward to the next 10 years. Love.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, June 02nd, 2013 | Comments Off on Best 10 Years
Look at the time!!! Hurry up!!! Let’s go!!! When are you going to be finished? Yup. This summarizes my dissertation process so far. It’s a race and many from my SFU EdD cohort are done. Out of 12, five of us are left to complete. Statistically, that is awesome considering that only 40% of students finish their PhD or EdD degree. Many remain ABD (All But Dissertation). I look back a year ago… two years ago… three years ago… and think… YIKES… I’m on a journey. It’s tough to explain the choices that I’ve made, but I was not ready to write my proposal back then. I was an edu-pretender, living a lie, because my thinking was a mess. Sometimes you have to let things happen… let go… and JUMP. Three years ago, I knew my dissertation would be about mathematics education, out-of-field teaching, and teacher professional development. Guess what? It still is. My interest has not changed, my perspective has. Trust and Patience. Take it ONE SECTION AT A TIME, my dissertation will be complete.
Written by Christine Ho Younghusband, May 22nd, 2013 | Comments Off on Trust and Patience
