Doing this work has been such a privilege. I’ve been invited to peek into countless vibrant classrooms, gleaned wisdom from phenomenal educators, and planned professional learning alongside outstanding instructional leaders. It’s not trite to say that the CBE is a wonderful place to learn because of its people. I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet many of them over the past three years, and learn from them. I’m especially thankful for my incredible team who have pushed me professionally and creatively, and room to make sense of it all.
As I prepare to return to a school in the fall and meet my students, my head is buzzing with ideas. In my classroom next year, we will spend much of our time focusing on our our community and knowing each other as humans and learners. We will design our physical and metaphorical classroom together, creating a place we all feel comfortable, safe, and connected to. We will explore our local place and develop deep connections to it so we may care for its beauty. We will examine history with a critical eye, and wonder how we might redefine Canada in a way that honours all of its peoples, including its Indigenous citizens. We will create beautiful things together. These ideas are a direct or indirect result of the relationships I’ve forged with the people I’ve met along the way over the past three years. If you’re one of them, I thank you for it. I am a better teacher because of you, and because of this work.
Erin Quinn is an outgoing Specialist with the Curriculum & Pathways team and an incoming grade 7 teacher and Learning Leader at Griffith Woods School. She writes at www.creativitycollective.ca and Tweets at @luckybydesign.