Falling Into Reflection
Once again… I have fallen into the “busy” trap and managed not to carve out any “ME time” to blog, walk, or reflect. Well, today is the day. I went out for a walk this morning (and last night). I’ve had moments of reflection. Now, it’s BLOG TIME. It’s been awhile (again) and it feels great to return back to the keyboard to virtually document “what’s up” in my pedagogical journey and share some of my experiences and thoughts. So, expect a few follow up mini-blog entries over the next few days. There is much to report on and I am absolutely excited to share “what’s happening” with you.
I just love those moments when I get overwhelmed with gratitude. It’s like a tsunami. I just had that feeling the other day driving to Gibsons for the SD46 Education Committee, a meeting I chair as trustee of the SD46 Board of Education. First of all, it’s an absolute privilege to sit around a table where people are talking about teaching and learning in SD46. I just love it. Second of all, we’re all engaged and I get to facilitate those conversations. Third, I am heartened by the wonderful edu-initiatives and ideas that are brought forward to the committee. I feel very fortunate.
Back to the drive to Gibsons… it’s an opportunity to check in with myself. Questions to self often sound like… “Would I be doing what I am doing NOW if I was still in the classroom? Would I know what I know NOW if I stayed in the classroom? And, would I know who I know NOW had I stayed in the classroom?” Although the answer is obvious… NO… I find myself in awe of what I get to do and learn. I cannot believe the people I get to meet, work with, and learn from. Best of all, I could not imagine these edu-opportunities had I stayed in the classroom. It’s absolutely amazing.
I know it gets sickening when I blog, tweet, or post stuff on social media that oozing with gratitude… but that’s exactly how I feel. I love the work that I am doing with my research with great hopes of finishing my dissertation by 2016. I love the work that I am doing with my professor/supervisor as his research assistant. I am learning so much. I love that I get to work with St. Mark’s College where I am teaching my first graduate level course, but also facilitating mini-workshops to teachers. I love that I get to be a part of the BCAMT and Math K-9 Curriculum development team. It’s an incredible group of math educators. I love that I am asked to provide workshops to teachers regarding curriculum implementation in various school districts in the province. I love the work that continue my practice in my home as a mathematics educator and educational consultant. I love my professional learning community on Twitter and my #bcedchat co-mod team. And, of course, I love the work that I do as a school trustee, locally and provincially. Blah, blah, blah… No wonder I have little time allotted to walking, blogging, or reflection… yet, I’m doing it RIGHT NOW.
I am delighted by the amount of autonomy I have in my work and I truly feel that I am a part of a BIG SHIFT that is happening “out there” in BC Education. The direction is so aligned to my education philosophy and pedagogical beliefs. It tickles me to know that I have a voice in the process and I am helping others to find their voice too. All that is mentioned above is aligned to my purpose. I would also like to mention a couple of community boards I’m involved with that are focussed on local economic development, the Self-Employed Women’s Network (SEWN) and the Sunshine Coast Community Futures. My role on these boards is governance and education. I could have not have asked for a better opportunity in my community.
Ok. I will stop oozing… if you haven’t already stopped reading, then never mind. I just hope in education that we can take a moment to reflect and acknowledge our path, our direction, and our achievements. We don’t do it enough. Let’s celebrate. I blog in disbelief. I cannot believe that I get to engage in so many professional learning opportunities, formal and informal… facilitate professional learning activities for teachers and school leaders… and research professional learning of teachers and school trustees. This is something that I had always dreamed about and wanted, but never knew how it would unfold. And, I believe it’s unfolding.
There is no question in my mind that my lived experience would have been different had I stayed in the classroom. Could I have had similar opportunities? Possibly. I opted to take an alternative route to create new paths and opportunities… to enhance the student learning experience. I look forward to what’s ahead. This is not to say that my pedagogical journey has been easy, transparent, or smooth. I am also compelled to say that this is not for everyone. What I am willing to suggest is FOLLOW YOUR HEART. Listen to your intuition. And, go for it!!! You never know unless you try, make mistakes, and try again. This is the learning process and I love every minute of it.