Well, the time has finally come where I can say that I'm done!!! As of yesterday, I have officially completed my Bachelor of Education and could not be happier to have made it this far. It's been a long seven years in the making, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I've been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities and have met some incredible people along the way. I thought I would close this chapter of my life by writing one final blog post. So, here it goes...
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As I sit in front of my computer finishing up the last few weeks of my Bachelor of Education, it is dawning on me that I haven't gotten around to sharing my practicum school's year end concert with you all! We had so many wonderful music making opportunities together and watching this concert has made me miss it all over again. It was a strange return back to the online classroom for me. However, I am so grateful for the 10 weeks I got to spend with the fabulous musicians in the Point Grey Music Department. Thank you for sharing your artistry, dedication, and passion! I hope you enjoy watching the concert as much as I did :) P.S. I conducted the chart "It Had to Be You" with Jazz B, and the piece "Imagine" with Chamber Choir. With Symphonic Band, I conducted the pieces "Hollywood Milestones" and "Under the Sea", and played marimba in "Foundry". It's hard to believe it, but my 15 weeks out here in Vancouver have officially come to an end. I am writing this final blog post of my adventures out west as I finish up the last of my packing and enjoy these final moments here. It is crazy to think that about four months ago I was on a plane to embark on my teaching practicum, and now it is all over and I'm on my way back to Ontario! It has been a wild ride out here, and I know I will miss the places and people. In the same breath, I am ready to come home. :)
I am excited to announce that I have officially passed my practicum here in Vancouver and will be moving on to the next chapter of my BEd journey come tomorrow morning! It's a quick turn around from our Extended Practicum to our Community Field Experience, but this just means that I am one step closer to finishing up my degree, becoming certified, and moving back home. For that last reason alone, I could not be happier!
It is dawning on me that my best days of blog writing seem to be rainy Sundays, because here I am again in front of my laptop, warm tea in hand, comfy leggings, and a baggy sweater watching the rain gently fall down on this cool, Sunday morning. Last week was full of nothing but sunshine, and now we are in for about a week of cool, rainy days. Welcome to Vancouver!
On Friday we wrapped up Quarter 3, and tomorrow I will have my first district Professional Development (Pro D) Day. Many of the teachers at my school, myself included, are participating in an online presentation called "Compassion Fatigue: Caring for Ourselves While Caring for Others" by Dr. Gabor Maté, which could not have come at a better time. I am starting to feel myself running out of steam... Welcome to the world of teaching! Nearly three weeks have passed since my last blog post, and it seems surreal that it has been that long already. At the same time, I feel like no time has passed really at all! Anyone else feel like their concept of time has been drastically altered? Or is that just me? Regardless, I wanted to take a moment to let you know what I have all been up to!
This long weekend, I am taking a moment to catch my breath. The first week of Spring Break was a bit slower which gave me time to relax and get some lesson planning done. Then the second week was a whirlwind of excitement as Jonathan came to visit for five days! This past week was also a whirlwind, but for a very different reason: the teaching world is a fast-paced one and waits for no one... As I sit in front of my laptop on this rainy Sunday in Vancouver, I can't help but think about how my first three weeks in Vancouver have come and gone and how, just like that, we are on Spring Break! On a side note, I think I have been pretty lucky with the weather so far as this is the first real "rainy" day we have had in a while.
My first few weeks of teaching have been action-packed, and so I am looking forward to some time away from the classroom to unwind, recharge, and gear up for our return back. My teaching load will be increasing following Spring Break, so I am using this time to lesson prep. I'm hoping to balance that with finding some time to get out and explore the city more! Here's what I've been up to so far.... The day has come for me to return to Vancouver and depart for my Extended Practicum! It has been a long time in the making, and a bit uncertain, but we made it! I think it's safe to say that I am a bag of mixed emotions. As I finish up the last of my packing, I am filled with joy as I gear up to teach, but also sadness as I know I will miss home dearly. I will admit, a few tears have been shed already, but I am optimistic that they are not only tears of sadness but tears of excitement and uncertainty as well... because who knows what this next adventure will bring?!
As 2020 comes to a close, I've been taking some time to reflect on the past 12 months both surrounding the ongoing pandemic and beyond it. I think we forget that our lives have been so much more than Covid-19, although it is hard to see that right now as we continue to live through it. Even though this year hasn't been what we all thought it might be, I've taken two things away: we don't know the hardships that others are facing, so why not choose to be kind; and life doesn't always give us what we want, but instead what we need.
In the spirit of the holiday season, I thought I would share the wonderful music that my placement school has been making! A few of the pieces I was fortunate enough to have worked with them on back in later October/early November are also featured (Senior Strings and Senior Choir). I am looking forward to heading back there in the New Year to continue making music together! Until then, please enjoy and Happy Holidays, everyone! |
Morgan KuepferWelcome to my blog! Check out my posts from my 11-month journey through Teacher's College at UBC from 2020-2021. |