New perspectives

A view from my window...

What an outstanding week I had at the beginning of May in Victoria!  The weather was been beyond beautiful, coupled with the fact that I took a float plane for the first time, and worked with some visionary mathematics educators to draft  new curriculum.  Although I missed Scott, the kids, and Buddy our dog, I didn't mind having a whole bed to myself for several nights without hearing or feeling any little children's feet pitter-pattering their way into my bed and wrapping about my legs.  I was glad for the good night's sleep as I needed to be well rested for the thinking required of me during the day.

Stunning islands...

I pulled on my word of the year 'strength' many times during this week.  First, I had to be brave on the float plane.  I like flying but get nervous when I feel turbulence and when we met a few bumps on the way over, I frantically looked for a handle to hold on to... which there wasn't!  Minus the minor movements over the gulf, the flight was breath taking!  

Second (and this occurred more many times during the week) as I sat in the presence of the team of math educators working with me on the Math Curriculum, I questioned my position among these vastly experienced teachers in the area of mathematics.  I have always been passionate about mathematics but have never been required to think deeply about the big ideas in mathematics, which are important and how they could be articulated in words.  As I sat, listened, learned and contributed to conversations,  I honestly marvelled at my team members' brillance and felt honoured to spend the week with these amazing educators.  It was an experience I will never forget.  It brought me to a deeper level of understanding of mathematical pedagogy and for this I will forever be grateful.

Later today I leave for the ConnectEd Canada Conference in Calgary and I look forward to coming together with other math educators who are interested in the powerful learning and understanding that can occur when teachers combine inquiry-based approaches with technology in mathematics.  I anticipate an intense but fun weekend of learning and seeing new perspectives!  And I am excited for a Saturday evening with my cousin and her kids!

The bridge to Westham Island!

Minoru park and downtown Richmond.

Confessions of a student

If someone were to have observed me from afar this week, it would have become quite evident that changes were occurring in my behaviour patterns.  Funny things started to happen including me cleaning areas in my house that had not been touched in awhile (or ever!) and items on my "to-do list" began to disappear rapidly.  One might call this productive, while others who know better could tell you that this was actually my unique way of procrastinating.   This week I began my final two Master's classes.

Below is a link to one of the Photobooks I finished this week of our fun Springbreak trip with Scott's family to Cancun, Mexico!

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Getting Ready

They made these signs for the BC Lions game they
went to with Scott!

As the nights become darker earlier and my bank account is dropping daily as I pay for the kids extra curricular activities, I am reminded that all too soon we are back to school!  Last year this time I felt ready.  We had a good summer, but I was excited to start my Masters and eager to try some new things out in my classroom.  We were all kind of tired of the lazy days of summer and yearning for some structure and routine.

This year is different...  We have had an amazing summer, enjoying the perfect balance of going away, daily activities, and relaxing at home.   I have read more than I ever have in one summer and spent a lot of time just cuddling on the couch with my kids.   My kids surprised me and slept in each day to 7am (usually they are up just before 6am) and I was able to wake around 8ish which was heavenly.   During our lazy mornings, or late evenings we all sit together on the couch or lay in mine and Scott's bed watching movies.   I think I have now seen every Disney movie out there, and some probably more than once.  I must say I really like High School Musical and am happy my kids are now enjoying movies with real people and not just cartoons.

This September I move from working 50% to 80%, and am going to be taking two classes for my Master's which I swore I would never do again... but since switching cohorts to MET, one course didn't transfer and I need to do this.   Knowing the workload that is coming I have been trying to soak up every minute of time with Scott and the kids.  I have also been wrestling with feelings that I haven't felt in a very long time ~ insecurities and fear.  Beginning a new position at UBC has me excited but also feeling worried, and I am filled with questions ~ I wonder, am I really ready?  Will I be good enough?  Do I know what I need to know?  Will they like me?  How will I manage to balance all the different roles I will have?  I have found myself very humbled by these thoughts and reminded that many children moving to new schools and/or classrooms will be also be experiencing these similar thoughts.   I am lucky to have a wonderful husband, family and friends who support me.   I also have the benefit of age and experience so I know that change can be a good thing, and although it is OK to have worries, I know deep down that I will be fine.   I have wanted to be a Faculty Advisor for many, many years and am ready for this new chapter.  Everything will fall into place, exactly as it is meant to be.

If you happen to have children who may be feeling nervous of the upcoming school year, please be kind to them, talk to them, and let them know that they too will be OK.

As I prepare to send my little loves off to school this September, I hope and pray that their teacher(s) see just how special they are and take the time to get to know them personally.   Today as we drove to and from Bellingham to pick up back to school food, supplies, and clothes I don't think we had a minute of silence.  Both Matt and Megan sang together and independently, and shared their thoughts, ideas and questions (LOTS of questions) with Scott and I.   They are passionately curious and could be easily captivated by any educator who engaged them.   I really hope they do get teachers who love their jobs, understand that learning should be fun and social, and spend lots of time talking with them, and not at them.  My kids have a lot to contribute ~ I am crossing my fingers that they get someone who sees this!