Let It Go

When do you listen to your intuition?  I’ve had this aching feeling in my gut telling me to do one thing and my mind telling me to do the opposite.  In the end, I become misaligned.  I get agitated, frustrated, and annoyed.  My patience is quickly depleted.  It’s a sign to LET IT GO.  As much as I want to let go, there are so many reasons why to hold on.  Unfortunately, the only person I can control is myself.  I cannot change how others feel, think, or behave.  I can only influence, support, and encourage them.  Trying to help people who are not ready or wants help, is achieving nothing.  It is energy wasted.  I let their fear, anger, and resentment hold me back.  I want to help.  I think I’m helping, but really… I’m not.  I reach out, but it’s not reciprocated.  Who am I saving?  The person I have to save is myself.  If I don’t, I’m the loser.  Unacceptable.  Let it go.

Self-Assessment

Just presented at the BCAMT New Teachers’ Conference at Queen Elizabeth Secondary in Surrey on February 16, 2013. My presentation was titled, “Not Worth Marks, Not Worth Doing.” It was about Assessment for Learning and formative assessment. One of the big ideas is ongoing assessment. That is one thing that conference presenters are not privileged with. What I learned during this workshop presentation is that these new teachers were already in the know of formative assessment, making most of my presentation meaningless. That was a “teachable moment” and a humbling experience. Now what? On the fly, the purpose of my presentation changed. Although we had a discussion about quizzes and student motivation, my NEW message was to “persevere, make a difference, and BE BOLD.” I loved their enthusiasm and passion for student learning, engagement, and professional dialogue. This was exciting to me. In the end, I hope that these new teachers walked away with something new to consider. If anything, I was the learner. This group taught me so much about what they already know about assessment and what they want to achieve with their students. Thank you new teachers for giving me something new to consider. I will certainly rethink and revise my BCTF New Teachers’ Conference presentation on March 2nd in Richmond titled, “The Implementation Dip.” Thank you to Dawn Driver, the conference coordinator, and the BCAMT Executive for hosting this event to support new teachers and teacher candidates with excellence in math education. MATH MATTERS and I appreciate the work of the BCAMT.

Leadership Opportunities

Trustee Mewhort, ME, Trustee Pratt & Superintendent Bocking

Being a school trustee with the SD46 Board of Education has exceeded my expectations.  Not only do I appreciate the learning curve of transitioning from the classroom to the boardroom, I love the leadership opportunities I have been presented with so far.  I liaise with the West Sechelt Elementary PAC, Halfmoon Bay Elementary PAC, District Parent Advisory Council, and Sechelt Indian Band.  I chair the SD46 Education Committee and I am a member of the BC School Trustees’ Association (BCSTA) Education Committee.  It is truly a fantasy of mine to talk about education and student success.  I feel so lucky.  Recently, I was appointed by the BCSTA to represent the BCSTA on the Ministry of Education Standing Committee on Provincial Curriculum.  We had our first meeting on February 13, 2013.  The experience was phenomenal.  Thank you District of Sechelt constituents, SD46 Board of Education, and BCSTA for the opportunity to lead.

SD46 Trustee Tour Day 3

SD46 Board of Education visiting the BRIDGE Program

On February 12, 2013… The SD46 Board of Education, Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent embarked on DAY 3 of the Trustee Tour.  This day was dedicated to visiting the Sunshine Coast Alternative Schools (SCAS).  We visited 4 sites located in Sechelt and Gibsons.  Our first stop was at the Sechelt Learning Centre (SLC).  The SLC houses 5 programs: Endeavour, SPIDER, Horizons, Sechelt Outreach, and Pre-Culinary Arts Program.  The “Free-Store” portable is also located here for students to exchange clothes and other personal items.  Our second stop was at Phoenix in Sechelt.  Check out… ProjectPhoenix46 online.  In Gibsons, we visited the Social Development and Field Road Programs at Cedar Grove Elementary and then to our final stop at the Gibson Heritage Building.  At Heritage building, Pathfinders, Gibsons Outreach, and BRIDGE Programs are housed.  Thank you staff, students, and Principal Spence for the tour.  We appreciated the visit.

Aboriginal Math Symposium

Photo by: Colleen Hannah (February 8, 2013)

Manifestation.  Celebration.  Fascination.  I would like to thank Dr. Cynthia Nicol for inviting me to speak at the 3rd Annual Aboriginal Math K-12 Symposium.  It was an honour to speak to a crowd of approximately 200 educators at the UBC Longhouse about math and Aboriginal education with “Math Embedded and Professional Learning.”  I would also like to thank Kerry Mahlman for bringing me to the symposium two years ago.  At that time, I left teaching in public schools and she encouraged me to speak about a project we collaborated on in 2009 during the Math 8 IRP implementation called “Math Embedded – A Tribute to Susan Point.”  This brief presentation left a lasting impression which led to my invitation to speak at this year’s symposium.  Sometimes it takes a problem to motivate someone to do something.  I did something two years ago… and here I am… celebrating.  I had fun talking about teaching, learning, and leadership.  In the end, the math symposium was an alignment of life’s circumstances.  I was reunited with Cynthia and Kerry, but also with Colleen Hannah, an opponent from the 1988 Junior Girls Curling Provincials, and Maize Longboat, a youth from Pulling Together 2011.  Each played an integral role in my pedagogical journey.  I met many other people too that day.  I like how life is unfolding.  I am truly grateful.

Check out the Aboriginal Math K-12 Blog: http://blogs.ubc.ca/aboriginalmathnetwork/

Be Bold, Be Brave

Life is a journey… We are all on a journey and sometimes our paths will cross, others may collide, and some we’ll never realize.  This photo is about paths crossing.  This is FLAT US from a summer session course at SFU.  We are all in education and we were ABD… “All But Dissertation.”  We took this summer course with hopes of moving forward with our academic work and research.  We each took a FLAT BUDDY to support and encourage.  I’ve picked FLAT CAREY.  Can you spot FLAT ME?  I took the course almost 2 years ago and my progress has not been substantive, but I have made great strides personally and professionally.  I needed to do this work first before moving forwards.  Writing has been so much easier.  I am optimistic.  What I understand about myself and my research is, “Be Bold, Be Brave.”  Sometimes it’s not easy.  However, this mantra reminds me a lot of what my HERO would say and do.  So, I’m doing it.

Imaginary Barriers

“A Portrait of Me” – by Zoe Y. (9 years old)

I look at this picture and wonder who is looking back at me.  My daughter made this portrait of me.  This is how she sees me.  How do I see myself?  From Lady Gaga who says, “It doesn’t matter what people think” to Oprah who says, “Be your authentic self”… I am beginning to understand that you become what you believe.  Just the other day, I had a conversation with Lisa.  I was meant to meet her.  During our conversation, she mentioned that I seemed frustrated.  She proceeds and asks me what was stopping me.  Hello?  We just met last week.  From frustration to freedom in 45 minutes, I was able to identify one of my imaginary barriers.  Everybody has them.  It’s a rule that we create in our mind.  The rule is derived from our experiences that we follow diligently subconsciously.  I was not spooked by this but more curious about what “my rule” was.  In such a short time, I figured it out.  DING.  My life has not been the same since.  I’ve wanted to write this blog to describe the shift but life seems to be unfolding quickly and I don’t want to miss it.  All that I know is, the day after my conversation I went swimming with my daughter.  BTW: I never swim.  I can’t swim.  That day, I jumped.  Guess what?  No shame.  No judgement.  No failure.  We just had fun.  It was nothing like what I expected.  Thank you Lisa… Nothing is stopping me now.

What I Learned from Oprah?

“A Night with Oprah” –  January 24, 2013 – Vancouver, BC

Somethings are meant to happen… that’s beyond our control… it’s not for me to question, but to accept.  I was fortunate to go see Oprah live in Vancouver.  By the time I realized that she was coming to Vancouver, tickets were sold out.  One week before the event, my husband was playing hockey.  After the game, a teammate asked him if he would be interested in an Oprah ticket.  Can you believe that?  My husband sends me a text to see if I was interested.  As it turned out, I was already in Vancouver for a conference.  In the end, we got the ticket for half price.  I could not have planned it better myself.  I am grateful.  What did I learn from Oprah?  Three BIG ideas for me… (1) Listen to the whisper… (2) Don’t be a people pleaser… and, (3) Get a job that pays you to be yourself.  There were many lessons shared that night, but these 3 seemed to resonate with me.  My translation… listen to your intuition, don’t give your power away, and be your authentic self.  Thank you Oprah.  Thank you hockey buddy.  Thank you Universe.

Learning is Dialogical

Dr. Geoff Madoc-Jones, PhD

We all have teachers in life… Teaching only happens when there is learning.  Without learning, there is no teaching.  One of the most influential teachers in my life is Geoff Madoc-Jones.  He he taught me as a Master of Education student on the Sunshine Coast in 1999-2001 and Doctor of Education student and candidate in Surrey in 2008-2012.  He passed suddenly in December of 2012.  The least I can do is honour his work in education by saying THANK YOU to him as a teacher who made a difference in my life.  One of the most memorable and meaningful lessons I learned from Geoff is reading “Malaise of Modernity” by Charles Taylor.  One of the greatest lessons from this book and from Geoff is that learning is dialogical.  I believe this.  As school trustee, it is my job and duty to figure things out and how to make things better for kids.  In doing so, I am talking to people.  I met some wonderful people at the BCPSEA AGM and learned so much.  Sometimes lessons need to be learned outside of the context of the place I work.  I am building relations and learning different perspectives I need to grapple with as school trustee.  What I learned tonight, that has been mentioned to me many times before, is that “I wear my highest hat.”  My highest hat is school trustee.  Even though I am a mom, math teacher, and education graduate student… I am a school trustee first.  I got it.  Thank you fellow trustees for helping me to understand. 

SD46 Trustee Tour 2013

SD46 Board of Education & Superintendent of Schools

What an awesome tradition that has started with the SD46 Board of Education… the Trustee Tour.  I appreciate the time that we have taken to visit schools as a cohort.  We observe classes, engage with students & teachers, and dialogue with school principals.  This year, we are taking three days to cover the school district.  Day 1 covers the north end of the peninsula on January 15th, Day 2 for the south end on January 18th, and Day 3 will be the Sunshine Coast Alternative Schools on February 12th.  What I have noticed this year is an increased use of technology in the classroom, LIF and surplus funds spent on specific needs of each school, and school pride.  I particularly liked being led through schools by students. My overall impression of SD46 based on 2 days of the tour is that we are going above and beyond to offer the best educational programs and experiences for our students.  Well done staff and students of SD46.  I am proud to represent this district as school trustee.