Spirit… Body & Mind

Spirit… My spirit has been restored.  I feel so lucky to be able to advocate for student learning and continue to be a part of School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast) in a ‘new’ role of school trustee.  We have a diverse Board for 2011-2014.  We are a nice mix of incumbents and new trustees, with gender and cultural diversity, and diverse academic backgrounds.  I look forward to working with this newly elected Board of Education and the new Superintendent of Schools.

Body & Mind… My next step in moving forward with my pedagogical journey is with diet, exercise, and my dissertation.  I feel that my physical fitness will contribute to my mental fitness.  My mental fitness is challenged by my research and completion of my doctoral thesis.  I understand that this is my next hurdle in life.  Both body & mind are working in tandem.  Much like my spirit, I am looking inwards and understand why things are and how I can make it better.  To move beyond the ego means to accept, trust, and acknowledge.  This is my work.  I plan to succeed.  I deserve to succeed.  Carp diem.  Nameste.

One Year in Review

Today is the first day of a new year… it’s ONE YEAR IN REVIEW.  One year ago, on November 26th, was my last day of teaching in public schools.  After 16 years of service, I left the teaching profession with intentions of working on my doctoral thesis and gain some perspective on life, career, and public education.  It was certainly a year of transition.

All that I can say is, moving from A to B is not necessarily a straight line.  It’s a matter of trying things and taking risks.  If things don’t happen the way you intend them, then it was not meant to be.  If things do work out and exceed your expectations, then that was meant to be.  As much as there were UP moments, there were plenty of DOWN moments.  Leaving the teaching profession was not an easy decision.  I miss the kids.  With that said, I look behind me and I was able to accomplish a lot in one-year.

Here are my Top 10 highlights of things I got to do in the past 12-months:

1.  Walk my daughter to school and be with her on the first day of school.
2.  Started my own educational consulting company, websites, and blog.
3.  Presented at 10 teacher professional development workshops.
4.  Tutor students mathematics and science from Grades 8-12 and ABE.
5.  Attended Educ 809 at SFU with Dr. Michelle Nilson.  Loved it.
6.  Peer-reviewed and presented at the EGSA EWOB and the Seminar Series.
7.  Attended the SFU Teaching and Learning Instructional Skills Workshop.
8.  Watched Nel Noddings LIVE at SFU and her views on the Ethics of Care.
9.  Employed as a MEd Site Assistant at SFU working with Dr. Michele Schmidt.
10.  Elected as School Trustee representing the District of Sechelt with SD46.

This is not to mention that I had met a lot of wonderful people along the way.  I got to paddle in the 2011 Pulling Together, present at FNESC with my canoe family, and I will be completing my Certificate in Teaching at University with SFU TLE in the Spring of 2012.  These are only highlights.  I am not one to deny the rough times, but there were too many good things that happened.  This is my JOURNEY and it’s only the beginning.  I feel good and I am optimistic of what the future holds for me… hopefully, Dr. Christine Younghusband, EdD some time soon… LOOKING FORWARD.

FNESC 17th Annual Provincial Conference

FNESC is the First Nations Education Steering Committee.  Members from the SD46 Spirit Canoe Crew from Pulling Together 2010 and 2011 got together to present a workshop at the FNESC 2011 Provincial Conference on Aboriginal Education, themed “Students First.”  Our proposal to present was submitted a few months ago and was accepted.  The conference was held in the Westin Bayshore and it was a phenomenal conference.  Our presentation was titled “The Spirit Canoe.”  Our fearless leader had the vision and brought out the SD46 Spirit Canoe to the event.  We set up the workshop to model what we experience in Pulling together and all 5 of us shared our stories that related to the canoe, Dr.Brokenleg’s four directions, and benefits to student learning. Kerry brought the canoe, set the stage, and made the slide show.  Signy brought her 2010 and 2011 books she published, produced 2 large canoe pics, and told her story story well.  Ed brought his paddles, drum, and his many Vision Quest stories.  Ashley represented the RCMP well, organized escort vehicles for the canoe, and presented well.. And, I did my part of presenting, sharing my story, and helping out where I could.  Also, the rest of the SD46 Aboriginal Education team were present at the conference.  We all sat together, ate together, and celebrated together.  It was a wonderful professional development experience.  We met great people, saw familiar faces, ate well, awesome hospitality, and ultimately we were inspired.  Aside from us having 2 successful Spirit Canoe workshops, the opportunity to work with colleagues, and a chance to be a part of the FNESC conference, the most memorable part for me was to l to and be inspired by Dr. Cindy Blackstock from UofA. Here is one person making a difference in education amongst  room full of other individuals making a difference.  It was a powerful keynote address to say the least.  The Master of Ceremonies described Dr. Blacksock as a “dragon slayer.”  I would not disagree.  Thank you FNESC for a fantastic conference and thank you Spirit Canoe for the journey.  All my relations.  Much gratitude.

Can’t Control Others

One life lesson I try to emphasize with my daughter is… You can’t control others, you can only control yourself.  Well, I should start to listening to myself.  Political life is all new to me.  Although I was active in the teachers’ union when I use to teach at Chatelech Secondary and situations may have been political, but I was never the politician.  i am rudely acknowleging that my role in the community and school district has changed.  I can’t control what people say to me, but what I can control is what I say to them.  I am 100 percent accountable.  What I do say or not say can positively or negatively affect others.  So, I apologize to those whom I have already affected negatively and to those I may affect in the near future. I guess this is part of what people refer to about being “thick skinned” in the world of politics. Humbled.  Aware.  Moving forward.

Welcome to Political Life

Being school trustee “officially” for 8 hours and “unofficially” for 4 days has been interesting to say the least.  It is not to say that I was not expecting what I have already experienced as an elected politician, but I was not expecting to be experiencing particular aspects of political life so soon.

My personal challenge throughout the campaign process and now as school trustee is to be authentic, honest, and open.  I have nothing to hide and I have no reason to lie.  My primary purpose for running as school trustee is to advocate for student learning from the governance and policy perspective.  To do so, I have to ensure that I have a clear mind and an open heart.

I have much experience as a classroom teacher and as a teacher leader serving the local teacher’s association as a professional development rep, staff rep, and executive member.  I am a mom, graduate student, SFU MEd site assistant, and math teachers’ association executive member.  I have much expertise in the field of education.  What I have to learn is the edu-politics. 

With blogging, tweeting, and facebooking… my life is pretty much accessible by anyone.  Yet, some information that’s out there in the social networking world can be and has been easily manipulated, misinterpreted, or misunderstood.  This is not good for a politician.  Now what?

Here is my stand… now that I am officially one of the SD46 school trustees representing the District of Sechelt… I have removed any local politician from my Facebook friends.  I can be easily followed on Twitter.  My Edu-blog is also accessible via twitter or http://christineyounghusband.blogspot.com/.  And, I have a campaign website at https://sites.google.com/site/voteforyounghusband/.

A line must be drawn between personal and professional.  I am a politician with full intentions of listening to the public, being active in public education on the Sunshine Coast, and advocating for student learning.  There are various school trustee training sessions and meetings scheduled in the next few months I am attending.  Right now, I am humbled and I am learning.  Avoid the drama.

Lessons Learned From Curling

My favorite sport is curling.  I’ve been curling since I was 13.  Although I had taken about 5 years off from curling when I had my daughter 8 years ago, I’ve curled competitively and recreationally for more than 20 years.  There are some lessons learned from curling that extends beyond throwing a rock to the button and sweeping your heart out when the skip yells, “HURRY!”

The lesson I would like to blog about today is teamwork and leadership.  There are 4 players on a curling team: the lead, second, third, and skip.  Each player on the team has a role and strength.  The lead is consistent with draws and an effective sweeper.  The second is precise with take-outs and also an excellent sweeper.  The third is the best all around player who can draw, take-out, sweep, and strategizes.  The skip is the leader of the team.  The skip is the decision-maker.  He/she calls the shots, throws the last rock, and sees the big picture.

The biggest challenge for the skip is leadership… to set a team climate or culture so that each player is willing to work together, communicate regularly, and help each other to become individually and mutually better at the game.   Furthermore, the skip must be able to recognize the strengths of his/her team members to capitalize on them.  A curling team with the best skip, best third, best second, and best lead does not necessarily make the best team.  If the team is not communicating, working together, or focused on the game (versus outcome), then the team is bound to lose.  Sometimes a team composed of average players who work collegially and cooperatively often make the best teams.  As a result, each individual player on that team becomes the best at their position.

In curling, the best feeling as a curler, whether if I am skipping, throwing, or sweeping, is to have a rock perfectly positioned in the house because each person on the team fulfills their role to the best of his/her capacity and functioned as one.  I know Bloggies… don’t judge.  But, the feeling is incredible.  The team feels awesome because each player made that one shot happen.  In the end, that one shot could be the TSN Turning Point of the entire game.  Every shot matters.

There are two general types of leadership… transformative vs. transactional.  We have all experienced both types of leadership… on the curling ice, in the classroom, or at the workplace.  The tranformative leader believes the team CAN DO IT, motivates them to strive to do their best, and involves himself/herself in the process of doing.  The transactional leader derives much of his/her leadership from power, directives, and focusing on what’s going wrong to make things better.  One team is working together to achieve a common goal, the other team is working as a group of individuals focused on self-interest not necessarily towards the same goal.  Which team is better?

The context does not matter… curling, schools, or corporations… what does matter is leadership.

Closing Up the Campaign

Monday morning after the BC Civic Election… Life returns back to normal.  Campaign signs have disappeared… I’m walking my daughter to school… and I return to my computer click-clacking away blogging, researching, and writing.  The occasional “congratulations,” “well-done,” and “way-to-go” from parents, colleagues, and community members makes life a little different.

Today, I am closing up my campaign as school trustee.  During this campaign, I was the campaign manager, financial agent, and politician.  I did not even have a scrutineer during election day.  It’s sometimes hard to believe that I was able to make it on top with such a modest campaign and few “peeps” helping me out.  I did have a little political posse who supported me behind the scenes, but ultimately, I assumed all of the “official roles” during my campaign trail.

All municipal politicians, win or lose, must submit a financial statement of money spent and contributed, monetary or in-kind, to the campaign.  I will also have to return the official list of registered voters from 2008 and fill out some other forms to ensure that my campaign has been transparent and legitimate.  In the meantime, I will close my “Younghusband Campaign” bank account and “Elect Christine Younghusband for School Trustee” Facebook page.

I will continue to Twitter @Christine YH, provide status updates on Facebook, modify my political website “Vote for Younghusband,” and write in my “YH Edu-Blog” about education from the perspective of a graduate student, math educator, and school trustee. 

I am really excited for what the future holds for me in the next three years.  I am working on my dissertation.  I am attending the SFU TLE Teaching and Learning Certificate Program for Graduate Students to teach university.  I am continuing to present at conferences and submit proposals.  I am looking forward to serving the residents of Sechelt on the School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast) Board and working with the other newly elected school trustees and Superintendent of Schools.

This only the beginning and I encourage everyone to take the first step towards living your dream.

Stage 1: Introducing Myself to Political Life

The 2011 BC Civic Election is now over.  6 weeks of campaigning has led to a climatic moment of winning a position as school board trustee in School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast) representing the District of Sechelt.  What an honour and a privilege to be chosen by the residents of Sechelt.  From what I understand, walking away with 1531 votes, leading the pack, as a newbie candidate is a phenomenal feat.  A teacher’s perspective would be an asset to the SD46 Board of Education. 

Before putting my name forward for the municipal election, I contemplated my reasons for running and how I would be perceived by the public.  With much thought and consideration, my motivations for running for school trustee are to contribute to public education and renew my involvement with School District 46.  I would only run for good reasons.

Before handing in my forms, I asked the election officer a flurry of questions before proceeding with the political process.  I asked if my educational consulting company and tutoring would be perceived as a ‘conflict of interest.’  She replied, “Your business is your livelihood.  This is how you make your living.”  Knowing this, I felt encouraged to put my name forward and announce my candidacy.  Only one day after my victory, I was asked if I would continue tutoring now that I am school trustee.

My impressions from the conversation made me feel like I may be doing something wrong tutoring students.  This information was made public during the All-Candidates SD46 Trustee Meeting on November 14th and I am not ashamed about continuing my teaching practice as a math and science tutor.  I tutor adults, home schoolers, and SD46 students.  My clientele is diverse and transient.

I understand why I would be asked this question and why tutoring would seem controversial.  When I taught in the public schools, I did not appreciate my colleagues tutoring students privately while they taught full- or part-time in the school district.  Yet, tutoring supplemented his/her income and supported student learning in a positive way.  For these reasons, why not tutor?

My educational consulting company is my livelihood.  I make a modest living while I study full-time at SFU as a doctoral student in educational leadership.  Tutoring makes me a better teacher and it keeps me in touch with student learning.  Giving workshops makes me a better educator and it keeps me in tuned with teacher learning.  Being a mom of an 8-year old daughter, a consumer of public education on the Sunshine Coast, gives me insight on elementary education and public schools.

Tutoring, my research, being a parent, or this blog can be easily perceived as ‘a conflict of interest.’  It would only be a conflict of interest if my intentions were ill-willed or destructive.  On the contrary, my involvement in education keeps me in-tuned with public schools on the Sunshine Coast, it hones my practice as a math/science educator, and I am helping students with their learning.  To answer the question, I am going to continue tutoring students while holding office as school trustee.

I am grateful for the question.  I need to make a living and fuel my passion for education.  Tutoring is part of the equation.  In the end, if anyone feels unsafe to talk to me about education or my intentions as school trustee, then how will I know what is going well and what needs to be worked on?

LEARNING IS DIALOGICAL.  Formative Assessment.  Learning Communities.  Restorative Practices.  Please do not hesitate to ask questions or share stories.  That’s my job as school trustee.

School Trustee Younghusband

Unreal.  It’s 3:30 am and I’m beginning to acknowledge that I was elected to be one of the School Trustees representing the District of Sechelt.  I had such a modest campaign.  I had a restricted budget and I was truly a novice to the political process.  With 1531 votes, I came out on top, edging out the incumbent by 28 votes.  What a victory.  And, I have only the voters and my supporters to thank.  I would not be where I am without you.  Thank you for acknowledging my love for education as a teacher, parent, and community member.  To be a part of School District No.46 (Sunshine Coast) is truly an honour and I’m looking forward.  I would like to thank all of the other trustee candidates for putting your names forward.  I am optimistic of the 2011-2014 SD46 School Board. 

Here is the local news article in the local paper, the Coast Reporter, listing out the 2011 BC Civic Elections for the Sunshine Coast.  Thank you Bloggies.  You were an integral part of my campaign.
www.coastreporter.net/article/20111119/SECHELT0101/311199996/-1/sechelt/rowe-new-mayor-in-gibsons-henderson-wins-in-sechelt

BC Civic Election Day – November 19, 2011

Here I sit in my husband’s car approximately 100m away from the West Sechelt polling station waiting for him to cast his vote in the 2011 BC Civic Election.  It is likely that I will be waiting here for about 35 minutes. Apparently, there is a huge line up to vote.  This is a good sign.  We came here earlier, before lunch, and the line was equally long then.  I hope that my daughter has someone to play with while they wait in line to vote.  Personally, what an excellent opportunity to blog and say THANK YOU to all of my supporters.  Running for school trustee in the community I had worked in as a high school math teacher for 16 years was not an easy decision.  Now at the end of the 6-week campaign process, I have no regrets.  I have met so many great people, I have learned how to make strategic campaign choices with limited funds, and I have learned that education is my passion regardless of I’m teaching, attending school, or running for municipal politics s a school trustee candidate.  I am truly grateful for this life experience and I look forward to the next chapter.