Completing this timeline of experiences that have influenced who I am as was an important moment of critical reflection for me. It made me examen my privilege and bias in a way I hadn’t done previously. Reflecting on my own educational journey in turn caused me to consider the education journey my future students will have. I reflect on both the educational system I grew up in and the culture at the time. I see how both have changed in the last decades and am encouraged to continue indigenizing our curricular content and ways of knowing, normalizing other cultures, and building an inclusive community.
I have had many privileged experiences in my life, through elementary school, high school, university abroad, and at home. I worked hard to establish myself as a professional and as a contributing citizen having a positive impact on the local environment. The memories and experiences shared in my timeline have helped shape the teacher I am becoming – each period a pivotal step along my journey that has brought me here today.
KINDERGARTEN To the best of my recollection, my introduction to formal education was fantastic. I have fond memories gathering in the reading corner listening to stories, igniting my love of literacy. I loved the art, the friends, my kind teacher Mrs. McDougall, recess – also, it was the 90’s, so of course, the fashion! As a teacher candidate, I find myself drawn to this grade level, perhaps partly to do with having my own positive association. Looking back at this chapter, I wonder if kindergarten was a positive experience for other students. Or was it scary and intimidating? Were some experiencing homesickness while I was gleefully yelling at my self-portrait? How can I ensure everyone in my class can look back on their time in kindergarten with fond memories, beginning their educational journey positively?
HIGH SCHOOL GRAD When I graduated from high school, I was done! Education, check. I entered the workforce as a young, independent adult. Initially, I thought it was fantastic to make money and not study. But after a couple of years, I began to understand the limitations imposed by not having an education. My mindset shifted and education no longer seemed like a chore, but an opportunity. The benefits of having an education became tangible, instead of hypothetical. This motivated me to return to school.
OKLAHOMA I flexed a lot of privilege at this point, including financial assistance and support from my family. If I didn’t have this support, my educational journey would not have followed the same expensive path. I am aware that not every student receives the support I did. Our post-secondary education system caters to children of those in higher socio-economic situations. I began university in Oklahoma in the elementary education program. I’ve come full circle now. I completed three semesters in OKC and had my first sustained experience in another culture. I met some beautiful, kind, intelligent people. And I also met some other people. I’m not sure if many of you are familiar with Oklahoma’s history, but it has some pretty dark patches including the Trail of Tears and the Tulsa Race Massacre. Echoes from this divisive past continue to reverberate through the present. I was exposed to Bible belt culture and some deep, intergenerational racism. Canada has both systemic and acute racism, but my personal exposure with it at this stage in my life was largely theoretical or beyond what I was trained to see. It was somewhat more apparent in the south. I remember hearing and seeing blatant racism. Not everyone of course, but it was there. It was a different culture than what I was used to. It was important for me to have been removed from my comfort bubble and see reality for other people. We have a substantial responsibility ahead of us to help raise humans who won’t buy into biases previous generations have subscribed to.
AUSTRIA I also had the privilege of studying in Vienna, Austria. While abroad, I saw many different countries, cultures, and incredible historical landmarks. I enjoyed new food, drinks and music. I had the privilege of living and studying German in a palace built in 1697 called Schloss Neuwaldegg (featured above). I remember thinking how relatively youngour country, culture and cities were in comparison. This was the only Canadian culture I considered relevant at the time. I didn’t consider the cultures that had been in Canada for time immemorial. Unfortunately, and shamefully, it shows not only my personal ignorance and ethnocentric thinking about Canadian identity but also the lack of indigenization of the school system from my time in public schools. I am encouraged, however, that we are taking steps towards reconciliation and are actively rectifying this in our curriculum. I intend to continue growing and learning, acknowledging my past mistakes and learning from them so that I don’t repeat them and pass them on.
PROFESSIONALISM I graduated from UBCO in 2012. This milestone was awesome! I had completed my Bachelor’s Degree! My learning was over, right? This lasted about a year before I began working on my professional designation as an agrologist. One required workshop was on the code of ethics we were expected to uphold. This course was full of high-impact and though-provoking learning – which is so important for professionals. It instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to protect the public well-being to the best of my abilities. I was required to take an oath before I could practice with title, and I took this very seriously. Navigating ethics can be difficult when, for example, you find out your own client is contaminating a creek or someone else’s property. And I think this is relatable to teaching – striving to always uphold our ethical obligations, even when it is not popular. It can be difficult to do what we know is right sometimes, but we must be relentless in this.
PARENTHOOD The pivotal influence in my life that has brought me here today were these three little people. Having children changed my perspective on –just about everything, but specifically how important community is. How important education is. I want the absolute best for my children, and they make me want to be the best version of myself. So, I know what kind of teacher I want to be, as I know what kind of teacher I want my children to have.
Below are PDFs to a slideshow of my educational journey — corresponding to the notes above.
EDEF-Timeline