Internships

The expectations of the first two internships were not difficult for me. As a learning support teacher, I was able to easily meet the needs of the LSS internship. Similarly, I had spent many years growing into the role of informal leader within the school, and I was fairly comfortable with becoming more purposeful in this through the second, school-based internship. However, from the moment I learned of its existence, the internship focusing on district-wide leadership had me worried. I realize that sounds silly, as I'm endeavoring to become an administrator; but there is something about branching out to the district level that made this introvert quail inside.

Well, a solution to that dilemma was found! I applied for and accepted the position of District Helping Teacher for Learning Support Services in Abbotsford, and have spent this school year engaged in exactly the kind of district-level leadership that once made me nervous. In fact, a good part of the reason I applied for the position in the first place is because I recognized this fear in myself, and wanted to eliminate it: I don't like being afraid of new things. Over the past months I have had the opportunity to work with, learn from, and problem-solve with teachers, administrators, education assistants, counselors, youth care workers, students, and parents from a wide array of schools. I have attended care team meetings, led many safety plan meetings, provided programming advice for challenging students, attended meaningful training sessions, and led a variety of professional development workshops for district staff, all with the goal of increasing student success. I believe I can safely say I have conquered my fear of district-level leadership, and I have been delighted with the process. Throughout, I have kept focus on the leadership standards, and have seen my own growth in every area.

A snapshot of my last proposal

A log of hours from the last internship

Leadership Practices Inventory

Leadership Practices Inventory - Pre-Master's Summary



Leadership Practices Inventory - Post-Master's Summary


 My observations:

• growth in almost all areas
• my scores are often higher than those of the others who filled out the forms
• I believe this is because I know what I intend to do, and therefore rate my intentions higher than what comes out in my actions
• this is good to know going forward!

Last Class

When I first began this journey two years ago, I remember chatting with a friend who had recently completed the program. During our conversation, I asked how it felt to be done. "Well, I sure love having my Saturdays back," she laughed. But after a pause she added, "but I also really miss those Saturdays." Staring at my own two years' worth of Saturdays, I was a bit skeptical. But now, having had our last class, I can completely understand what she meant.

Our cohort of ten was, I think, something special. From the first we have clicked, and I can not imagine having gone through this journey without them. Every course provided us a new opportunity to see each other in a different light, and we frequently laughed and cried together. Each of my nine cohort members opened my eyes to something they were passionate about: creative education, technology, careers programs, sports of all kinds, music, inclusive classrooms, and the true joy to be found in loving and connecting.

I am truly a better educator, a better leader, and a better person for having had the privilege of knowing these wonderful people. Already I know that when someone asks, I, too will say, "I miss those Saturdays!"