…because once we have learned, it is our responsibility to teach, for the wellbeing of our communities and the benefit of future generations.
For me, teaching is a very dynamic process of weaving my skills, knowledge and areas for growth with an evolving understanding of the learners’ needs, the community circumstances and accountabilities to families, leaders and the learners themselves. I constantly ask myself, what is most needed at this time, and how can I be of service? Teaching is present in the large-scale projects and leadership opportunities. It is in classrooms and circles with people of all ages. But it is also present in the most small and simple interactions. It is who I am, in all my relationships, and the integrity I do my best to bring to every day. It is my vulnerability and my courage.
In addition to the areas of Inspiration I highlight in that section of the site, my inspiration for teaching comes from the many colleagues I collaborate with, and the unending creativity they bring to engage and care for students, solve problems, and grow in the profession. Having taught in Alberta before coming to BC, I am very grateful for the progressive redesigned curriculum we have that was launched in 2015 and seems to be well-received. While no curriculum will ever be perfect, its frameworks give teachers a flexible context to guide learning in innovative ways, and make space for new content and approaches as practice evolves.
There is also a strong provincial mandate to integrate Indigenous knowledge in all curricular areas, and resources for how to do so. Nevertheless, there is still a long road ahead, as the work of decolonization asks much more of us than simply revising curriculum.
An important ongoing reference for me are the First Peoples’ Principles of Learning, as published by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). There is a wonderful blog at this link that explores the principles in depth and gives many practice-oriented reflections about how to implement them in depth. The site is maintained by Jo Chrona of Kitsumkalum First Nation, a prominent educational leader in the province who also writes many of the amazing resources that FNESC publishes. Although these are certainly more aligned with the BC context, the resources, and the conference they host annually have brought me learning I will carry with me no matter where I may teach.
Below is a general overview of the roles I have held in teaching, and the interests I pursue. However, just because I haven’t done something in the past doesn’t mean I won’t in the future. I am as adventurous in my teaching as I am in my learning; in my life they are an indivisible inquiry, as a drive to know, participate, and give back within the mystery of being alive.
2018 – current – Indigenous Education K-12 – Mount Sentinel Secondary School and Brent Kennedy Elementary School, South Slocan, BC
2018 – 2020 – Social Studies 10 – Mount Sentinel Secondary School, South Slocan, BC
2018 – Social Studies 10 – L. V. Rogers Secondary School, Nelson, BC
2017 – Art 7/8, Psychology 11/12, Grad Transitions – Mount Sentinel Secondary School, South Slocan, BC
2017 – Media Arts 9-11, Psychology 12, Robotics 9 – George McDougall High School, Airdrie, AB
2016 – Substitute Teaching – Rocky View School District and Stony Education Authority, AB
2015 – English Language Arts 9/10, Career Life Management – George McDougall High School, Airdrie, AB