Admittedly I was very hesitant about moving up North. Growing up in Vancouver, the farthest North I had ever been in British Columbia was Kelowna. The idea of moving to a new town where I knew one and had no idea of what to expect was terrifying. The idea of moving to a small town without an Earl’s was slightly more petrifying than not having any friends. However, after some deep breaths and remembering why I was pursuing this, the anxiety began to subside. I had to remember that moving up North would allow me to become a better teacher as it would allow me to work with Indigenous communities. In Vancouver, this opportunity was never presented to me. I have always believed that I must adhere to the BC Standards to be the best teacher possible. Standard 9, in particular, was the one I felt I struggled with the most. I did not have the proper exposure to Indigenous education growing up, and with this, I could not pass it up as an opportunity.
Reflecting on the first term now, I could not help but think about all my growth, in and out of the classroom. Moving out of my comfort zone challenged me to think about what is best for me and allowed for lots of personal reflection that I could channel into my educational reflections. I also learned that being a teaching candidate requires a great deal of reflection. Reflection allowed me to stop and think about what kind of teacher I wanted to be. It also helped me narrow down what my teaching philosophical pedagogy will be. Towards the end of the term, I felt what most teachers feel, that slight sensation of exhaustion and anxiety that projects are due. It was a gentle sneak peek into what I should expect, but it also provided me a sense of ease as I was excited to showcase all my hard work to my peers.
Terrace was not what I expected. The small town charmed its way into my heart. In the short four months of getting to know my fellow teacher candidates in Terrace, I knew that I had made friends for life. As we have been advised by many, teaching is all about relationships. These relationships go beyond our students; these extend to those in our teaching network. The overwhelming support from my peers helped me adjust to my new life. Collaborating on projects, sharing insights, and providing feedback made the process much more meaningful. Sharing a passion with a group of like-minded individuals is so empowering. This program has changed my life most wonderfully; it is shaping me to become a better teacher and a better person.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
― Dr. Seuss