Tutoring at Capilano University
You know… things happen in strange and wonderful ways. I am not one to question, but I am one to wonder.
Not too long ago, I had applied for a position at Capilano University and did not get the position. Not sad about the outcome, I quickly moved onwards to the next task at hand. I was so grateful to have the interview and my resume and cover letter were updated.
In the meantime, I expressed an interest in tutoring Adult Basic Education (ABE) at Capilano University – Sechelt Campus last year and was invited a week or so after the interview to attend a meeting about what was involved. In the midst of being trained to be a tutor at Capilano, I feel that I have taken a full-circle in my teaching career.
In my third year of university (20 years ago), I was in serious contemplation what to do with my life. I was not sure that I wanted to do until I volunteered at Kwantlen College in Richmond, BC to tutor ABE mathematics. I was schooling at UBC, lived in Burnaby, and commuted to Richmond once a week to help adults learn mathematics. I loved it.
Volunteering at Kwantlen College inspired me to pursue a career in adult education. Initially, I started an Adult Education Diploma at UBC after I graduated with my Bachelor of Science. As it turned out, to teach ABE I needed to have a teaching certificate. So, I withdrew from the diploma program to pursue a degree in education to gain certification.
Like a typical university student, I had accrued a significant student loan. After completing my Bachelor of Education, I had to find a job. Instead of teaching adults, I got a position teaching mathematics and science in a public high school. I learned much about teaching and learning from my experience at the high school. It has made me who I am today.
I love teaching. I am passionate about student learning and mathematics education. I am still in the education business as a graduate student, private educator, and educational consultant but having the opportunity to volunteer at Capilano University as an ABE tutor is a dream come true.
I have finally arrived. Tutoring starts today and I’m looking forward.