Moving to Kamloops to attend Thompson Rivers University has been a great experience, this place has quickly become my home. Even though I was a little nervous to move to Kamloops, I’m so thankful for the experiences I have had through the program. I feel that TRU prioritized creating a sense of place through outdoor activities and the ongoing acknowledgment of the traditional and unceded Secwepemc territory. TRU is modeling the change that they would like to see in Education with respect to Truth and Reconciliation efforts.
The steepest learning curve during my time at TRU would be in in my confidence teaching Indigenous content. Through TRU and SD73 I have had multiple immersive experiences with Indigenous culture through stories, guest speakers, workshops, and events. The Indigenous community is much more visible in the interior compared to the lower mainland. Cultural awareness and humility have been a huge part of my growth as an educator as I take on the responsibility to lead society towards genuine reconciliation and decolonization of education. I recognize the importance of education as a institution leading society towards a more equitable future as we shape the next generation to be an inclusive and caring community.
Another area of significant growth would be in designing inclusive and authentic assessment techniques. Throughout practicum experiences I designed a variety of assessment techniques including self-assessment, formative, and summative assessments. I found the use of portfolios demonstrated growth over time and helped the students organize their work. A priority when developing assessments was to ensure that students were able to express their personalized learning while also making sure that assessments could be graded against the standardized proficiency scale. I also found that having students co-create rubrics for projects and assignments is a great way to engage students and create agency and accountability in the class community.
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List- Fall 2021, Winter 2022, and Fall 2022 terms.
