Employment Reflection
My employment experiences have helped me understand education in a more real and meaningful way. Working as a respite worker taught me patience, empathy, and how to support individuals with diverse and sometimes complex needs. I have also had the opportunity to work with two levels of government in education, where I helped create and organize both English and Indigenous learning resources. This showed me the importance of representation and accessibility in what we provide for students. Through my Early Learning and Child Care program, I was part of a language revitalization initiative and attended an international Indigenous educator conference, where I learned alongside others working to protect and strengthen language. These experiences have shaped my understanding of education as relational, inclusive, and deeply connected to culture and community.
Travel Reflection
Travel in my life has been about more than just visiting new places—it has been about connection, learning, and perspective. My family makes a strong effort to travel together every Christmas, which has taken me to places like Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, California, and the Dominican Republic. These trips have shown me how important it is to slow down and prioritize time together. I have also had opportunities to travel for learning, including a school trip to Mexico where I earned my scuba certification, which pushed me out of my comfort zone and built my confidence. Another trip through Europe exposed me to different histories, cultures, and ways of life. Visiting family in Toronto has also helped me experience a different pace and diversity of community. These experiences continue to shape how I understand people, place, and learning.
