November 24, 2025 – Be the Learner

If anything from what I am reading in my education leadership courses and what I wish for teacher candidates is… to be the learner. I was chatting with one of my former students (who is now a phenomenal teacher, lead learner, and person) and we’ve had conversations about growth mindset versus fixed mindset (Dweck, 2006). As I reflect on my practice and the feelings that are embedded, to reflect in and on action (Schön, 1983), I’ve come to understand that when I am performative, I have a “fixed mindset.” I feel anxious, worried about what others think, and often self-deprecating and overthinking about how things should be based on my beliefs of other people’s perceptions. When I am THE LEARNER, I have a “growth mindset.” I feel free, joyful, and a willingness to be vulnerable such that I can move forward with humility, grace, and curiosity.

When I am learning… I AM HAPPY.

Being the learner is powerful, and in my educational leadership courses, being the lead-learner can be transformative, in particular with instructional leadership in schools. There are so many things on the go and so many things to do, to keep myself sustainable and happy in the work I do and in life, I have taken deliberate action to REST and be compassionate and kind with myself and my time. I am still learning how to do this SLOW work and I will (and have) made mistakes. Once again, focus on the learning (not the performance) and all will be well. I cannot control what others think or believe, I can only control what I think and believe. That’s it. With this understanding, I can take each step with the knowing that I can only do my best without compromising myself in doing so.

Last week was filled with learning opportunities, and I took the time to engage in these opportunities to fill my cup. The photo above shows the poster I and my colleagues created for the ABCDE (Association of the BC Deans of Education) Spotlight Symposium on the shared responsibilities to the Renewed ACDE (Association of the Canadian Deans of Education) Accord on Indigenous Education. Each teacher education programs created a poster for this event and there were guest speakers talking about what’s happening in their jurisdictions. The presentations were inspiring in many ways, but the event also had small group discussions for participants to sense-make and share ideas. I had a really good time catching up and connecting with folks in-person I knew at this event.

The ABCDE symposium was on Thursday, and Christine’s professional learning continued on Friday with a Facebook friend of mine, Dr. Cher Hill, came from SFU to give a talk as part of the IWAU (Inspiring Women Among Us event) as a keynote speaker. It was so wonderful to see Cher in-person in Prince George. Her presentation was titled, “Trees Don’t Care About Your Pronouns: Relations Forest Pedagogies, Gender, and Belonging,” and she spoke about some preliminary findings of who did not like going outside, having her Foundations of Education classes held outside, what can be learned about gendered barriers held with being outdoors, and how the forest provides a place for belonging. It was a very interesting presentation and thought-provoking. I think about me taking my EDUC 394 class outside and the impact it has on student learning.

Saturday concluded my professional learning series with the viewing of two movies: “The Salmon’s Call” and “Nechako.” Both movies were shown at the Prince George Performing Arts Theatre as part of IWAU. The directors of both movies were women and most of the production staff were Indigenous. Each movie concluded with a panel discussion. I was so wowed by each movie in terms of the cinematography, the local content, and the political activism that is required to protect the water and the salmon and to gain the rights of Aboriginal Peoples, the land, and way of life on the land. I was heartbroken, devastated, and inspired all at the same time. I had no idea to the extent of the horror that these communities have endured and their reliance and persistence to succeed. I am very appreciative of this work and hope others in this area will/can see it.

I am so grateful to engage in professional learning. It was always my favourite thing to do when I was a K-12 teacher and it’s my favourite thing to do as an academic. Stay humble, be vulnerable, and keep learning. It is way too fun!!