Dr. Christine Ho Younghusband

August 1, 2026 – A New Attitude

I can’t believe it’s August 1 already. This spring/summer semester has flown by. Lots has happened and there is lots still to do. I have a tonne of things to do… and I have less than a month to do it. Great ((sarcasm)). Strangely, I like a little pressure, but it’s not a good habit to keep. Typically, I underestimate how long it takes to do something. I need to pick up on the lesson and spend more time on doing things. I like to followthrough, but often I keep too many promises. Some things need to get off the plate, by either doing them or removing them. It’s nice to know I have a choice. I am no longer motivated by the hustle, but rather by doing what feels good and is aligned to what I want to accomplish in life and at work.

For example, I participated in a podcast hosted by Associate Professor Dr. Joseph Shea from UNBC called “Climate Conversations.” He interviewed a dozen or so faculty from UNBC for this project. I accepted the call, and it turns out that I am the first episode of the series. Woohoo!! ((See link below)).

The podcast launched on July 31, 2026. I started to watch it. He is very good at this. I’m somewhat horrified to watch myself speak, but it seems in line to who I am. I got about halfway watching the video and then returned to this blog post. I appreciated the introduction to the episode and summary offered by Joe. I liked how the video was produced and I look forward to the other upcoming episodes.

As for my work, in general. I am working on developing a micro-credential course, I need to do major revisions on a manuscript I had recently submitted (that was based on my doctoral work), I am designing webpages for a research project I am working on, and I need to write a book review. That’s just the high level items on my things to do this month, in addition to writing course outlines, presenting (twice) at the 2026 UNBC Teaching and Learning conference, and concluding the data collection process for one of the studies I am leading. I feel very lucky to do the work that I do and now, as seen in the photo above, I have my own office in my own place. Working from home, I feel, will/can be more productive.

Do not be alarmed by the number of books. I had adopted more than half of these from a friend who was purging out her shelve and I graciously accepted them. They are all education based, leadership based, or Indigenous Education. There are a few literacy books as well as numeracy books too. All of what she offered was very much aligned to the work that I do and like to learn about. I feel that having my office (and doing this work for the first time in my office) offers an opportunity to start anew. I have a clear working space in my home. I love that. I am really enjoying my time in my office and I love that I got to put up the images I got/won from Ed Hill/curling. He signed all of these images, except for one, that I painted myself at one of Ed Hill’s art classes. So, I guess it’s still an “Ed Hill.”

It feels great to be in this space and it feels great to work in a space that feels good. I love that my bedroom is now my bedroom and my dining room is a place to eat. There are clear locations in my place… and my kid now has her own place one building away from my place. She’s close, but in her space. I love that I can tackle the work in this place with my cat quietly sitting at the window sill or behind me on the bench (as seen in the photo). I feel a calm and steadiness that I have never felt before, or at least, never noticed. I am grateful to be in this place and space and look forward to the work I will get done here (and at work too, of course).

Blogging x2 is a weekly habit I would like to keep up with. I fell of the wagon last month due to the workload, but now I feel that I am getting back to those familiar routines and it feels great. My next task after this blog post is to make a list of things to do on my whiteboard that sits in my office. It’s visible and ready to be listed with “stuff to do.” I feel so lucky to do the work that I do. I will not take it for granted. Nothing is forever, but it’s always best to stay in the present. <3

July 26, 2026 – What story do I want to tell?

I would often tell teacher candidates in some of my courses that you have “a brand” whether if you know it or not, or work on it or not. This premise was the underpinning for courses that I taught with e-portfolio and creating a digital narrative of their teaching and learning journey within the teacher education program. Last year (and my first year), I did not teach portfolio, but I am very cognizant of the importance of self-knowledge as part of good teaching. What we do as teachers matter. We can have a long lasting impact on students. We cannot predict what kind of impact we have, but it’s best to be “who your are.”

So, who is that?

Admittedly, I did not come to this understanding when I was teaching in K-12. When I was teaching high school math, I thought I was an extrovert. My Myers Briggs was ESTJ. Now, if I do my Myers Briggs, I am an ENFP. So, I’m still an extrovert, but every other preference have shifted. I’m not sure if it was leaving the practice, going into politics, or the pandemic that tipped me over to a new way of being, but what I do know is, my identity, sense of self, and self-efficacy are always changing and shifting. I was (and probably still am) horrible at “selling myself.” It’s not quite humility and it’s definitely not shyness. It’s more about feeling good about who I am, what I do, and what I have to offer others.

My pedagogical journal has taken me to many places since 2010. I left teaching in K-12 after 16-years of practice, I believe at the height of my teaching career. I was not happy. That said, I did not know where I was going, but I need to take the ups and downs of My Journey, and just be OK that my path is not like any other person’s pathway, which seems reasonable. I was too busy thinking about what other people are doing and comparing my work with others as a reliable metric. What I have learned over time is, the path I choose is the one I am meant to take and it’s my job to learn from the ups and downs, and take action.

Now in 2026, (wow… another 16-years later) I am feeling more like myself and I am happy with who I am, what I am doing, and what I have to offer others. I know that I love to teach and work with students as a co-learner and co-leader. I love action research and the work that is involved with that methodology and the people who are engaged in that work. I love conferencing, presenting, and collaborating with folks in K-12 education. In the end, I would consider myself as a RESEARCHER-PRACTITIONER. My scholarship is in teaching and learning, and at the centre of my research is my practice. Hence, I tend to write program evaluations, and would like to tinker more in self-study and autoethnography.

I am currently working on my CV and updating it in preparation for an application for funding. I was just reading an article about “how to write a CV for academia” and I am reminded of a conversation I had with someone a handful of years ago about these mish-mash of items need to align to a cohesive and comprehensive research agenda. I understand that conversation NOW… and how do I align these seemingly disconnected pieces into a map that is easy to navigate but also lend itself to future research that matters to me and the field. What I have learned in My Pedagogical Journey is, when I am comparing or thinking of others, I am compromising who I am and my work. I could not see its value.

Updating my CV has taken me many days to update, and I am stil updating, but what I am noticing is… I AM LEARNING. I have shifted some aspects of my CV and now I am looking at the university CV template and I am re-thinking how I want to present myself, my work, and my experiences. WHAT STORY DO I WANT TO TELL. For quite some time, I think I was trying to tell a story that someone might want to hear or read about. But, is that the story I want to tell? I am learning how to build my efficacy in research and academia. It’s taken me some years, but I love everything I have learned so far. I had to build a humility, but also understand MY WHY in the service of others. The goal with my brand is to be who I am… with authencity, wholeheartedness, and love, joy, and fun. 🙂

July 18, 2026 – Gratitude and Hope

Admittedly, I was humming and hahhing about what to write this week. I started this blog post yesterday, and I wrote my other blog post on my other WordPress site, but I felt a little stumped about what I wanted to write here. Blogging has been a place of solace for me to reflect and wonder. When I started blogging in 2010, I wanted a place to express myself, at first, then it became a place where I could practice writing, and now it has become a reflective practice. I just love reflecting on my week and thinking about what’s on my mind and writing about it. Of course I could be writing in a paper/pen journal, but there is something very liberating about writing in a blog. I love that term that I learned from the DEEPER LEARNING CONFERENCE in Chilliwack, BC. Making learning public.

I guess, in some way, I am making my learning public by blogging, but also I love putting my thoughts (in writing) on a public online platform. By doing so, it feels more meaningful or high stakes, for me. Despite the fact that someone may or may not read this post, blogging on WordPress provides a framework and guidelines as to what I write, how I write, and why I write. It took me some time to figure out the criteria for my blog posts, but I feel that I am in a good place. I don’t over edit now (thanks to 2-step authentication and losing access to my original website… until I got it back again due to some serendipity and luck), the length of my blog posts range from 800-1000 words (from about 80-150 words), and I write about things that my stream of consciousness takes me.

So… viola. I’m writing about my blogging process when I had originally intended to write about “doing hard things.” In a way, blogging, expressing myself, and creating my digital footprint while figuring out who I am since 2010 was a hard thing to do. Although I learned not to put specifics in my blog posts (i.e., names), my blog posts since 2010 is a documentation of my pedagogical journey. It’s been a bumpy one, but I realize also, a privileged one. I attribute my freedom in Canada to my mom (and dad). My mom was a STRONG person. I did not realize how strong my mom was until she passed away. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Her passing has served as a catalyst to my growth.

I often feel that my mom held on, waiting for me to complete my dissertation and doctoral degree. She wanted to see that happen. Although she did not feel well enough to do go my oral defence (my dad did, and embarrassed me… ugh), she did go out for lunch with me to the Congee King on Kingsway in Burnaby to celebrate my success and have congee with me and dad. I was so grateful for her support (and mediation with my dad). She always believed in me. And, she was patient. On her last day at the hospital (she did MAID), she introduced me to the nurses as a “professor.” I was not going to correct her. At the time, I was an unemployed sessional instructor. LOL. Semantics, I guess. But, she even took the time to give me a pep talk prior to the procedure to know my gifts.

Ever since my mom passed away in 2018, I have been belabouring her words. For a long time, I did not believe her words, hence the belabouring. Now, so much in my life has changed. I no longer live in the same place, I’m single, and my kid will be leaving the next pretty soon. I am an Assistant Professor (so, close) and I am learning about who I am, what I have to offer, and my gifts. Only now can I see the value of my doctoral work and my research, only now I can live in a way that aligns to who I am and what I deserve, and only now I can see what I am able to do… and “I can do hard things.” I did not think that I could do qualitative research and submit for publication, I did not think that I could be provide critical but constructive feedback on graduate research work, and I did not think I could live on my own and live my best life. But guess what? I can.

July 12, 2026 – It’s been a hot minute

It’s been a while since last blogged. In the last month, it seemed like when it rains, it pours. Everything happened all at once. As a result, I had to learn how to ask for help, ask for an extension, and ask forgiveness. My big learning was rewriting a chapter. We got feedback and met several times as to how things could be revamped. We made a plan we agreed with, and by the time I was able to get to this work, it was A HUGE MOUNTAIN to overcome. I had no idea how much work was required to rewrite this chapter with this new approach. Huge respect to qualitative researchers, and thank you for my writing team for their support. If anything, what I got from that experience was a tonne of learning about grit, patience, resilience, process, methodology, kindness, and grace.

I am likely to write about some of the wonderful and amazing events that has happened this last month like the Deeper Learning Conference and the Fit-Choice Network Online, but for now, I would like to talk about OVERCOMING OBSTACLES aside from the one just mentioned about rewriting a chapter. Also on my things to do last week was reviewing a dissertation as an external examiner and thesis as a committee member. I am reminded how challenging the research process is. You are learning how to do research, you are figuring out how to best research your topic to answer your question, you struggle with how to best present the information, and there is a battle with yourself and any self-talk you may have as an emerging or early career researcher. It’s not easy.

For me, my learning cycle happens every 8-years or so. when I was teaching, I needed to change every 7-8 years, I left teaching after 16 years and served as as school trustee for 7 years which was also the same time I completed my doctoral degree, and now I have just completed 8 years at the university. It seems like it would be the time of which I am transforming into a new for of me and thus, my work. This semester is my second out of eight years to have a research semester to not be teaching during this term, and it might be my last for a while until I ask to ask to have the term free from teaching, which is a right I have as stated in my collective agreement. That said, working is good too. LOL. I am not complaining, but what I am saying is, I need to make most of this time.

Although I cannot believe that it’s already mid-July and how fast time is flying by, I am so grateful for what I am learning, what I have learned, and for the people who are in my circle. I realized that my people do not have be in the same geographical region, and people (i.e., mentors) will come and go when you need them. One of my biggest lesson is that the only person looking out for you is YOU. I don’t know why I had thought that people are there to help others, but I am clear now that now matter what’s happening “out there”… what’s happening “in here”? I had so much to overcome. It was imposter syndrome X 10, but there were so many life changes happening at the time, and how that impacted my identity, my sense of self, and my sense of value… I could not see my worth.

Anyway, ever since I left teaching in K-12, I’ve been on a PEDAGOGICAL JOURNEY to figure out who I am, what I love to do, and why it matters. I am so grateful for mentors, colleagues, friends, family, and students for helping me along this journey. It’s taken some time to rebuild myself. Eight years later, I have my own place, my kid has graduated from university, and I feel more like myself. I want to be who I am and who I am meant to be. It’s been a while, but I have submitted my manuscript to a journal to be published. Wow. Shocking. I got plenty of signs pointing me in the direction of math education, and it was time. What I love about the submission is, I told my supervisor/co-author that I had submitted the manuscript, and I got a “thank you” and humility in return.

When you are aligned to who you are, life unfolds exactly the way it should. 🙂

June 19, 2026 – It took some time to clear

Nothing isn’t as clear or straightforward as it seems to be. For example, I am going to physiotherapy. I think I’ve gone about a dozen times, and I am making progress, but the journey is not over. At first, I thought I had a hip flexor problem after I got a Thai massage. Nope. That’s not right. I thought is issue was acute and I need was to put my hip in place. Nope. Wrong again. I thought it was due to falling on the ice a handful of months ago, and then I thought about my curling injury from a few years ago. Wait a minute… it was bigger than I thought.

Same story with my COGNITIVE CLOG… there was no quick fix. There are layers and layers of reasons/factors/variables that create this cognitive clog. I think about my bathroom sink. What’s creating that clog? Hair, bacteria, barf… who knows, but the sink would work a lot better without the clog. Sure, you can wait a bit longer for the sink to drain, but either pushing that clog through or pulling out what ever is making that clog is ideal. Either way, each takes bit of time and navigation to clear that clog. Well, I just got that today… cognitively.

I often wonder why I got into academia. I would say it was never a goal… but then I would be lying because I used to write on pieces of paper as a kid, “Dr. Christine Ho, BSc, MSc, PhD.” I did not take that pathway exactly, but for some reason, I knew I was going to be a doctor. It was something that I wanted, yet for many decades of my life, I believed that I am not a good writer, I am not a good reader, so what in my right mind said… let’s go into academia??? Not sure, but here I am. Lots of what I am very interested in academically is about efficacy, identity, and learning. Guess what? Those are all the areas that I struggle with.

I mentioned this in another blog post… that I heard in a podcast… RESEARCH is ME-SEARCH. I cannot deny this notion. Moreover, I’ve been trying to figure out my research program. I really dislike having to write my bio because you have to write about your research interests. And yet, after spending a lot of time trying to figure out what my doctoral research was going to be about and then having to research and write about this topic was a journey and a half. So much self-discovery, disappointments, and life changes took me down a path that soon after I figured out to write about and find the love for my work, I ditched it.

What do I mean about that?

Was there anyone interested in my work? I remember that I offered a session at the provincial math conference one year, and no one showed up except for one colleague who is a professor at another university who followed my work about Indigenous Education and Mathematics (of which I am writing a chapter about). I presented the work at an international conference, and no one showed up there. I did very well in my oral presentation during my defence and was told that this was one of the best defences that one of the members of the examination team had seen. That was a compliment, but the confidence for my work was rapidly declining even though my supervisor wanted me to publish and be a co-author.

I had no idea what was happening. A long story made short, I spent a lot of my time in academia hiding my work and trying to do other work that’s not really mine. Does that sound like a cognitive clog? It sure does. I did not value my work, and I was very sensitive to any feedback or comments about my work. Even though there was a manuscript ready to go, one rejection threw me over the edge. I had a tonne of self-doubt, and I created stories about my work and abilities that were not true. It’s like being in an abusive relationship, and I have the pleaser mentality. Don’t make waves, or nobody will like you. That was made pretty clear early in my journey in academia. I played the cards wrong. Lay low.

My productivity was slow and marginal. I gradually gained my confidence back in teaching, and I really parked my ambitions when my daughter started to attend university. I need to really find ways to create stability for us, so I just stayed the course. I wanted to learn more about research, but I never took the risk to pursue my research. I started to write about identity development and e-portfolios, but EdTech is not my field of expertise. At every moment, at every turn, I felt like I was “out-of-field” with my teaching and research. I could do it, but my heart was not deeply embedded in the work, even though it’s important.

Over time, I established lots of stability in my work. I renewed my contract, bought a house, became a cat mom, got fully committed to a SLOW-professor lifestyle, and tried not to get to distracted by being hustled or feeling judged. I just got to the place where I wanted to do what I wanted to do on my own terms. Part of that was realizing how much I love mathematics education. But, I was also doing work around equity, identity, and professional learning. Lots of what I was doing at the university was dancing around my doctoral research without doing or continuing with that research, per se. Now I see, I have to return home.

And just like that, the cognitive clog clears.

June 18, 2026 – CSSE 2026

See photo. What a great way to end my CSSE 2026 conference experience at the University of Winnipeg. Being with friends and meeting new people over food… there is no other way I want to spend my time. I am so glad that we are no longer in COVID-19 times. Although there are many things that I currently do that are COVID-influenced, like Zoom meetings and working from home, I just love a good conference. This year, CSSE (Canadian Society for the Study of Education) Conference 2026 was held at the University of Winnipeg. This year, CSSE was not part of Congress, which did not run this year. An expected consequence is, associations connected to CSSE were able to mix and mingle.

Admittedly, I am an Pro-D PIG. I love professional development, and I love professional learn, so I love going to conferences and workshops. It’s just what I love to do. I’m owning that now. Who would have thought? Well, my colleague from many years ago that I am co-authoring a chapter with has mentioned that to me several times, and well, looking back at my career in K-12, trusteeship, and in academia… I LOVE LEARNING. The kind of learning I love relates to teaching and learning. Hence, I am understanding that my research program is aligned to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (add a little leadership too).

At CSSE 2026, I presented twice for the Canadian Association for Teacher Education (CATE)… once, representing the research team from the Climate Education in Teacher Education (CETE) study from UNBC, and once with a couple of colleagues from the BC Teacher Education Network (BCTEN). The first presentation was about a couple of frameworks created by CETE that teachers to use to plan for Climate Change Education using BC’s Curriculum. the second presentation was about Connective Professionalism in BC. Both topics are about doing what’s good in teacher education and K-12 education.

The more that I am learning more about myself and the work that I do, the more I am understanding that I am continuing the work that fuelled me decades ago when I started teaching in K-12 schools as a secondary mathematics teacher. How can we improve the learning experience for students? Part of this question involves professional learning communities, learning out-of-field, and finding the love for learning. Ironically, as I listed out these three components that align to this guiding question are areas that I am also engaging in and searching for. Huh. That’s kind of cool to realize. I love that. And, I feel that I am already here.

The other part I was involved with at CSSE was being the Vice-President and Program Manager for the Canadian Association for Action Research in Education (CAARE). I went to every CAARE session to self-assess and for formative feedback as to how well the program was constructed, etc. I loved every session. The first day of the CAARE conference at CSSE 2026 was spectacular, thought-provoking, and 100% engaging. It was like… “Am I home?” I was so deeply invested in every session, and I was so mesmerized by the diversity of the research projects and by the change each project is making.

Again, I am back to my guiding question… and listening to every CAARE presentation was answering the question in their own way. Wow. No wonder I found the CAARE conference so aligned to who I am and what I want to do. Huh. This makes sense to me. OMG. What a gorgeous aha from blogging and reflection. I could not understand why I loved the CAARE sessions. I met many amazing people in CAARE, I work with some outstanding individuals on the CAARE executive, and I now know that my research program is action research. What a beautiful aha. What I do in my research is about facilitating change.

I know… people don’t like to change for the sake of change… but where I am coming from, change needs to be explored. How can we improve the learning experience for students? This guiding question is not static. Context matters. What I love about conferences and professional learning is CHANGE. People are exploring and investigating questions they have. What they find can create change. Also, in a program evaluation, trying something new in one’s practice is about reflecting on the impact of change or action. I can really see my alignment with Action Research, Leadership, and the Scholarship for Teaching & Learning.

I can do this.

June 7, 2026 – An Exceptional Day

At the university, I love being a part of convocation. During my time at UNBC, I have volunteered to be one of the Faculty Leads for the faculty procession at convocation. There are two ceremonies at UNBC, and love being a part of both. This year was a special year… my kid is graduating from the School of Nursing. I cannot believe that she has finished the 4-year program at CNC and UNBC. It was not that long ago when she made the big move to Prince George to be with me. We have grown up so much together during the last 5-years, and I am so grateful to be part of these formative years as my kid enters the workforce and adulthood.

I wrote about her in my other WordPress blog and made note of her many accomplishments and achievements. As said in the video below. I believe that her time at UNBC is “unmatched.” The kid has surpassed my expectations and she starts work as a registered nurse tomorrow. I can’t believe it. She is also ready to leave the nest as she considers looking at places to purchase in Prince George, as an investment, but also signalling her first steps into independence. I wanted to share in this blog post 2 videos posted by UNBC Alumni and UNBC. I love that there was an immediate documentation of this special day for the kid.

My kid would rather lead from behind. She’s not one to brag or promote herself. I get that. I’m much like that too. She just wants to do good things and get things done. She surely knows how to do that. I am so proud of all of the community work she does in Prince George and UNBC (re: Stem Cell Club, Pre-Med Club, Prince Hoops, and Relay for Life), but I am so happy to know that her work is recognized by many. I appreciated that the Interim President personalized his convocation speeches by recognizing 2-3 students. The kid was one of them. Best of all, her convocation was the same day as her birthday. What an exceptional day!!

Congratulations KID… you did it… you rocked it!! You should be proud of your accomplishments, and the person you are becoming. I am so proud of you.

Volunteering at this year’s convocation was extra special. I loved reuniting and seeing the MEd and BEd students graduating this year, reconnecting with colleagues as part of the faculty procession for both ceremonies, and to see you cross the stage… hugging your friend, Chancellor, Interim President, Chair, and your MOM, along with all other School of Nursing Faculty members. Yay YOU!!

May 24, 2026 – The Kid is Graduating

Can you believe that I am almost finished my 8th year at UNBC? I told my friend that “fun-fact” during our breakfast out this morning and she gasped. The truth is, time flies. My kid is graduating this week, and the convocation is this Friday. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from UNBC. I am so proud of her. She had done so many other things during her time at UNBC, such as research and being an RA, Research Ethics Board member, President of the Stem Cell Club, Vice-President of the Pre-Med Club, Relay for Life in Prince George committee, and Prince Hoops co-organizer. These are not just roles or positions, but she had done a tonne of work in planning and facilitating sessions, events, and fundraising. It’s pretty incredible. And, it was all HER.

I can’t believe that she had accomplished so much in so little time. It was only 5 years ago when she moved up to Prince George with me. She did a gap year to make up a few credits, and then she was accepted into the CNC/UNBC Nursing Program. And, just like that… she’s done. Two years at CNC, and 2-years at UNBC. The time just few by. I can’t believe it. I am so grateful that she decided to live with me in Prince George, post-pandemic remote learning. At the time, I lived in a one-bedroom apartment. There was a separate dining room, which was my bedroom/office for three years before I purchased a townhouse over a year ago. I love living with my kid, and I do not take the last 5-years for granted.

Now, I feel that we are where we need and want to be. She will be starting work soon after convocation, and I will be moving forward with my work. We’ll see how things unfold with work. I know that I am in a place of transition. There is a lot of literatre about changing careers after 7-years. I’m in that sweet spot. Looking back at my career, it seems like my change over times about 8-years. I am really enjoying what I am doing and the people I am working with at the university. Maybe my next step would be working towards a promotion with a focus on research, or it might be something else. I am also thinking about writing a book about my mom, but I do want to finish the projects I have already started.

I am so proud of my kid, and I am excited that she is graduating this week, and I will be there, front row, as faculty and mom. This ending is only the beginning. 🙂

May 15, 2026 – Reflecting on my Journey

Currently, I am having a unique opportunity to be in schools to work with teacher candidates from another program, and I am learning lots. I am stretched and challenged in ways I did not expect, and I am often driven into reflection to examine my practice, values, and ways of being. I am always appreciative of professional learning. It’s part of my research interests, but also I love the opportunity to learn to grow and develop to become a better educator, mentor, and facilitator. Learning requires a lot of humility and vulnerability. It’s not easy sometimes, but the learning makes me better at what I do… at least, I hope so.

In doing this work, I also have the opportunity to bump into former students from the program I primarily teach in, who are teaching or leading in the schools. I love saying hello to these folks, but also the opportunity to work with seasoned educators of whom I did not work with as a teacher educator. I feel so hopeful and heartened for these folks and the future of K-12 education. Moreover, I get to bump into a few teacher candidates from my program I have recently who are in practicum. I feel grateful, excited, and proud of these practicing teachers and teacher candidates. I love having short conversations with them about how they are doing and where they are going. I feel hopeful about the future of K-12.

What a wonderful place to be… It’s taken me more than 15-years to get here. I left teaching in K-12 schools in 2010. I was a former high school math teacher. My career in education took a rebrand: from high school math teacher to school trustee/educational consultant to sessional instructor to teacher educator. When I left teaching and pursued doctoral studies in educational leadership, I had no idea where I was going. Leaving public schools was almost a 10-year grieving process, and I did not expect to enter higher education and become a teacher educator. THIS… is my Pedagogical Journey. I did not know what to expect, but doors open, and some close. You just have to walk through them to find out.

I left teaching math when my career K-12 was at its peak. I loved teaching math. Learning was so visible. Math was so emotional and relational. Sadly, it was also a gate keeper for most students and their potential futures, which was one inspiration for my dissertation. My math classes were amazing and I loved what we were doing as a learning community. We were learning math… and having fun. I can see many aspects of my teaching now being very similar to how I taught math. It’s Parker Palmer’s, “you teach who you are.” I am so happy to be back teaching. It’s hard to describe the joy I had teaching mathematics. I have joy in teaching in teacher education, graduate studies, and undergraduate too.

I have moments thinking about returning to the classroom and teaching high school mathematics. I have lots of good memories, despite the challenges. And yet, when I bump into former students and they are becoming the seasoned teachers and school leaders, I am filled with confidence, happiness, and joy. I want these people to be in the classroom and schools. They are doing amazing. I had a little part in that, just like with my former math students and where they are today. It’s incredible to think that I was a part of their learning journey, as much as they were a part of My Pedagogical Journey. So, I think about my next steps in this journey. What brings me joy? What brings me happiness?

My kid is graduating this month from her nursing program. I took a pause from this critical examination because I wanted her to have some security, with a place to live, a program to attend, and a space where to grow and develop. I wanted that for myself too. I think I have achieved that. In the meantime, I spent time learning about “what is research” and exploring different ways to engage, learn, and collaborate with other scholars in education and beyond. I have found a lot of joy in meeting and working with new people, yet, I am in a position that is not tenure track, and more teaching oriented, with little security as term faculty. Even thinking about the journey to where I am today, I have learned a lot about myself, academia, and where I want to be next. The goal is to listen to myself.

How am I feeling? Listen. I think, deep down inside, I know my next step. 🙂

May 3, 2026 – Getting My Dose of HUGS

Thank you to all those who made the ABCDE Roundtable 2026 possible at SFU. Normally, I would not be attending these sessions because I do not have a specific administrative role in teacher education. I am a faculty member, and I am helping out with UBC NITEP this year with a few Teacher Candidates as a Faculty Advisor, but I know of many of these folks from BCTEN, WestCAST, graduate studies, and teacher education. It’s interesting to think how I am am connected to different people in BC Education. For me, going to ABCDE is an opportunity to reunite with some of these people, meet new people, and learn something new. I missed the BCTF session that ran concurrently to the Deans of Education meeting on Thursday because I had already booked my plane ticket well in advance prior to the announcement of this session. But, I did make it to the hotel and to the mix and mingle at the microbrewery. I had a lot of fun.

The tacos were amazing… I had a next to no alcohol IPA… and the doughnuts were a great way to close the evening. I met up with folks from UBC, UVic, SFU, and many other folks from TRU, UFV, BCTC, and other universities throughout the event. I had a great time reconnecting and meeting new people. This is my JAM. I also like presenting, as well as teaching too. I can see that I like people. LOL. That is definitely something I prefer to do. Admittedly, I had a bit of FOMO when I could not attend the BCTF session, but a colleague of mine from UNBC attended the session and I was travelling with another colleague from Prince George. We sat together on the plane and we made our way to the hotel. When I learned that session was with Dr. Lorna Williams, I saw her at TRU a few years ago, and the breakfast and the keynote were at First Peoples’ Gathering House at SFU. Yay!! The Gathering Place was beautiful and breakfast was delicious.

There was no planned session for faculty members at the Roundtable. I could have attended a session for information purpose only, like the session intended for Program Managers, but my colleague from the Regional program went to that session, the Dean went to the Dean’s session, and my other colleague went to the Practicum Placement Coordinator session. UNBC was well represented. I opted to attend an online meeting with my other colleagues at UNBC that was running concurrently to Roundtable, then go for a walk around campus, my alma mater. I checked out the new Student Union Building and went to the Bookstore. I did not buy anything except for a large iced cherry matcha at the Renaissance Cafe before lunch. The lunch was delicious too. AMAZING!! I loved the keynote session about AI, reciprocity, and teacher education, and I also enjoyed my after lunch session learning about embedding Compassionate Systems into teacher education. The day ended with a drumming circle, outside, in the sun. Brilliant.