Everyone Has a Story

Lots of Learning in Victoria, BC.  Got the chills standing here.

This weekend I left my little family to head out to the Northwest Math Conference in Victoria, BC.  I had a beautiful room at the Fairmont Empress Hotel and enjoyed my learning experiences at the conference.  For me, provincial professional development day is more like a reunion than a conference.  I see so many familiar faces and connect with those who are like minded.  MATH IS FUN.  I love it, a lot.  However, professional learning is not always about what’s to be learned in the workshop or keynote.  Many times, I find informal conversations with colleagues the most meaningful.  I chatted with those on the BCAMT executive, in my workshop, and friends of friends.  What I learned is, everyone has a story.  First impressions do not tell the story.  Loved listening to people’s stories.  All I can say is, there are good times and bad… struggles and victories… success and failure.  Thank you to all those who shared a bit of their stories with me.  I feel inspired, awakened, and honoured.

Northwest Math Conference 2012

Mathematics in Bloom 2012 – Victoria, BC

What can I say but… ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING… or AFL for short.  Once again, I am out and about presenting what I know and understand about AFL and how it dramatically changed my secondary mathematics teaching practice for the better.  This year’s mathematics teachers conference was held in Victoria on October 18-20th.  This was the Northwest Conference.  It’s a joint venture with Oregon State and Washington State teachers.  There were more than 800 attendees.  I must admit, I am a professional development junkie.  I like learning about mathematics education and what I can do to make mathematics fun for everyone.  The underlying theme I got this year was… MAKE MATH ENGAGING.  Makes sense to me.  Obviously, my entry point to engagement is with AFL.  Although I spent much of my time at the event volunteering with the BCAMT (BC Association of Mathematics Teachers) to help with the conference, I managed to see two keynote speakers… Dan Meyer and Jerry Johnson… both from the United States.  Their entry point to engagement is problem solving and heart/courage/brains, respectively.  What was clear to me is… it doesn’t matter how you go about getting students engaged in mathematics… what does matter is your passion for the subject area and what you believe is most important to learning mathematics.  When students feel the vibe that you actually care about learning and teaching mathematics, students will feel exactly the same way.  This is social learning theory at its finest.  Much enjoyed the keynote speakers and much enjoyed the Northwest Math Conference 2012.  http://www.nwmc2012.com/

WEday Wheeee

WEday Vancouver, October 18, 2012

What an amazing experience… WE DAY… a day of celebration… a day of excitement… a day of gratitude.  How lucky was I to be a part of this event?  Super lucky.  I was there as an education partner representing the SD46 Board of Education.  On the 5th floor of Rogers Arena, I watched WEday Vancouver unfold.  Education partners were provided breakfast and inspirational words from Marc Kielburger, Minister of Education McRae, and Holly Branson.  We learned the WEday dance.  Then, the crowd below roared.  The sound resonated throughout my body.  And so, it begins… With one motivational speaker at a a time and many musical talents entertaining the crowd, you leave this event feeling absolutely stoked.  Thank you Craig and Marc Kielburger for the biggest THANK YOU I have ever experienced.  One person can make a difference.  We can make a difference.  WEday honours students and teachers who made a difference for those in need.  For more info, check out www.weday.com.

Simple Pleasures

Much enjoy eating sushi at 5517 in Sechelt, BC

Life is filled with many, many simple pleasures.  One of my favorite things to do is going out for dinner and enjoying good food.  For this blog, I will mention my Sechelt favorites.  First, my little family’s “go to” restaurant is 5517.  We love the sushi and tempura.  It’s our celebration restaurant.  We much enjoy.  For excellent bar food and fabulous view of Porpoise Bay, I love going to the Lighthouse Pub.  Love the fish & chips, salt & pepper wings, and beer.  Another favorite of mine is Kien Giang (aka. Johnny’s), the Vietnamese restaurant.  I feel comforted by the pho soups and I love the deep fried roll.  Super yummy.  Another mention is the Side Dish.  They serve crepes, deviled eggs, and a scrumptious broccoli salad.  Love the coffee and baked goods at Wheatberries.  And, another family favorite is the Golden City Sunday smorgasporg.  Sechelt is a dining mecca.

An Exceptional Journey

At Harrison Hot Springs – Photo by Ed Hill – October 2012

What a once in a lifetime opportunity… a last minute addition, I agreed to go paddle on the Harrison River.  We started our journey at Harrison Hot Springs and ended at Kilby Park.  This was a special day… it was a day of rain.  Didn’t matter.  It was a wonderful day to be with friends who are passionate about the water from the Gibsons Paddle Club.  It was an exceptional journey.  We paddled on the Harrison River along side with the Abbotsford Police Canoe.  Many of us paddled in Pulling Together.  We laughed, shared cookies, and awestruck by the experience.  The water was a beautiful aqua blue.  The river was pristine.  The rain made the trip more worthwhile.  We saw salmon jumping, eagles hovering, and fishermen fishing.  The experience was phenomenal.  We ended the trip with hot soup and coffee, many friendships, and the hot springs.  AWESOME.

Dreams Do Come True

Hawaii International Conference in Education (HICE)

Learning about one’s learning… some call it METACOGNITION.

A few months ago, I submitted a proposal to present at the 11th Annual Hawaii International Conference in Education.  I had fantasized about being a part of this conference ever since I entered my Doctor of Education program in 2008.  A strange fantasy, I know… but I never thought it would happen.  My proposal was peer reviewed and accepted.  Who would have thought?  It’s about my research project and now I’m scrambling for money to make it happen.  Dreams do come true.  I used to predetermine my outcome and never try.  Lately, I’m of the attitude, “why not?”  If it was not meant to happen, then so be it.  Lunge out and go for it.  Now, I am going to Hawaii.  Super cool or what?  Dream BIG.  Don’t underestimate your potential.

Birthday = More RAM

Happy birthday to me… Happy birthday to me… Happy birthday day to more RAM… Happy birthday day to me… And many more….

Yup.  Just turned 32 (+10 years, you do the math) and got more RAM for my birthday.  Yes.  I do have a practical side and I like how my computer thinks a little faster now… thank you honey… but I also like the metaphor.  When I think of more RAM, I think of a dodge truck or fluffy animal with horns.  It’s been almost 2 years since I left the practice to pursue my academic studies and other means of educational leadership.  I think by now, I have transitioned and I am making progress on my dissertation.  Albeit, it is not done… but there is progress.  From 2 years ago, my research project has taken a 180… so has my perspective.  Two years ago, I was at the face of burnout.  Today, I feel like I can save the world… just like any “new teacher” would.  My bubble has been restored and yes… I’ve got more RAM.  I love public education.  I love teaching and learning.  I love mathematics education.  I love professional development.  I love educational leadership.  I have fallen in love again… Happy birthday to me.

Wanting More

A ride at the PNE… hesitant at first… now wanting more…

Well… it’s back to fear factor.  With my kid, it’s about deciding whether or not to try a new ride at the PNE.  For me, it’s about submitting work to my academic supervisor.  My biggest fear is JUDGEMENT.  I am not sure why this fear has happened to be my mantra in life, but obviously “something” has happened in my life’s history to have THIS as my trigger.  It kind of sucks when what I am embarking on with my doctoral studies is about judgement.  Anyway, not to harp on my fears… it’s suppose to be a blog about CELEBRATION.  Just like my kid who finally decided to try this ride at the PNE… she loved it and rode it 5 more times before we left the exhibition.  I’m feeling the same way about my academic writing… I handed in a few things and got feedback.  It was better than I expected.  I feel motivated… I feel excited… I feel stoked… to do more writing and submit it to my supervisor ASAP.  What a wonderful feeling.  Fear is all in the mind… and the truth is, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.  So, go for it!

Learning Experiences

This is my kid… my super kid… and loving every bit of her.

Here’s a picture of my kid fielding a milk-foam mustache.  She’s so funny.  That’s how she rolls.  I feel so fortunate to spend time with her during her formative years.  Today, I spent the morning at her school as a parent volunteer for the Terry Fox Run.  It was so great to be a part of this event.  Teachers, support staff, parents, and the PAC made the Terry Fox Run super fun and possible for the kids.  This afternoon, I changed hats from parent to school trustee and went to a thank you luncheon at the SD46 Maintenance Shop.  I got a tour of the establishment, chatted with SD46 employees, and ate a yummy burger.  A wonderful aha… we are all in it together.  I cannot express enough gratitude to all those who contribute to the learning experiences of our students in SD46.  Whether if you are a parent, principal, teacher, painter, SETA, electrician, or (fill in the blank)… THANK YOU.

A Friendly Reminder

Math 12 at it’s finest… Love student engagement!

You know… there are many things that I enjoy about teaching math.  What I enjoy the most is the relationships I have with students.  First of all, MATH IS FUN.  I know that many people may think otherwise, but learning is fun.  This is an archival photo of one of my Math 12 classes from about 5+ years ago.  I loved that we worked in groups.  I loved that we looked forward to coming to math class.  I loved that we were willing to banter, ask questions, and wrestle with ideas.  Last night I was reminded of the good times I had with my math students… learning math… having fun… laughing and giggling… and challenging our beliefs.  My last tutoring session yesterday was a Pre-Calculus Math 11 student who is learning math online.  We had a blast.  The hour passed by quickly and the best part is, we were both the learner and teacher.  Teaching and learning are codependent.  Love that!