The Journey

Moments that shaped who I am

In my 29 years there have been moments which have guided and informed my path of pursuing education. Some are failures, some successes, but all were instrumental in getting me to where I am meant to be

Mental Health

As a happy child and outgoing, social teenager, I spent most of my life thinking I had no problems. By the end of 2018, at the age of 23, that illusion came crashing down. Depression, anxiety, and addiction all ran amok in my psyche and I was forced to reevaluate my life. My relationships with alcohol and partying, with other people, and with myself, all had to be adjusted. In healing, I found a separation from my ego and connection with my spirituality. I could no longer live the life I had been... everything had to change.

Film Industry Work

Coming out of high school I had decided to pursue filmmaking as my career. My goal was to become a Director of Photography and perhaps make my own films. I spent 5 years studying and working in the film industry in Pittsburgh, Calgary, and Vancouver. In 2019, while studying a Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts and working on a Netflix TV series, and as my mental health crisis was peaking, I realized I was working my life away in something I did not believe in. This led me to introspection on what drove me and where my passions lay... it led me to education.

Coaching (U10-U19)

I started coaching when I was 16 in Calgary. Throughout my high school and early 20s, coaching was something that brought me joy and invaluable leadership experience. When considering my new career path, coaching was an example of something that held meaning and fulfilled my inner drive.

(Usually my team looked happier, but this picture was taken immediately follwing a gold medal game loss)

Comshare Summer Camp

While living in Vancouver, I resided directly above the Burnaby Neighbourhood House, a non-profit community organisation. I volunteered often with BNH and had a strong rapport with the Director of Operations. The spring of 2019, while discussing my life-path change, she asked if I would be interested in applying for a counsellor position at one of BNH's summer camps. It seemed kismet. I applied and was instead offered the position of Assistant Coordinator/Volunteer Coordinator, which I eagerly accepted. My summer with Comshare was the confirmation of my intial thoughts that education was my vocation. It was a powerful, rewarding experience full of adversity and joy. I did not return to film school the next fall, and instead began working on finding a Bachelor of Education program in Canada.

Bishop's University

As I discussed my journey with one of my friends in Vancouver, he mentioned Bishop's University's strong School of Education. Looking into it I saw that Bishop's checked all my boxes: small school in a small city, French-Canadian milieu, nature all around, a highly experiential Education degree with emphasis on critical thought and progressive contemplation. I knew it was the place for me.

About a month later, the COVID-19 shut downs began, and life was paused. For the next year, I researched 12 B.Ed. programs across the country and prepared my applications. All the while, B.U. remained the most fitting choice.

Over my 4 years at Bishop's, I have confirmed that I am in the right place. I have had the freedom to explore my philosophy of education and the concrete experiences through practicums to strengthen my understanding of teaching. I now see my path more clearly and savor every moment of it.

These moments are few of many that have led me to where I am today. I have many amazing people to thank for helping me on this journey, including my loving family, supportive friends, incredible support network, and numerous others who have been part of these last 4 years. Every day my path continues to present itself to me, with new opportunities and realizations. I am eternally grateful and committed to following this path wherever it takes me, and know it will guide me to contribute something of worth to our world.

Thank you for being here

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