It's been a couple weeks now since I've returned back to Ontario. It felt like my two weeks out in Vancouver flew by just like that, and now it's even crazier to think that I have been back to online learning for two weeks now! These past four weeks have been full of all sorts of adjustments.... adjusting to Vancouver's time zone, then once the jet lag settled it was Daylight Savings and the adjustment began all over again. Once I had finally gotten used to my new time zone, it was time to head back to Ontario and readjust once more! It took me a few days to feel somewhat "normal" again, although I have no idea what "normal" even means anymore. What I didn't expect was how difficult the return back to online learning would be, and my oh my has it been a struggle!
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Well, this is it! As of 6pm tonight, I will be on a flight to Vancouver to complete my two-week orientation practicum, my first teaching practicum of teacher's college! I think the nerves have finally settled and are being replaced with excitement and anticipation (or at least that's what I keep telling myself LOL).
I have been placed at a high school in Vancouver called Point Grey Secondary. It is in the Kerrisdale neighbourhood, and I will be staying right around the corner in the Dunbar area. I have been so fortunate to have had such great supports in BC. From incredible friends who have set me up for my UPass (bus pass), offered to pick me up from the airport, to my Faculty Advisor who even found me a place to stay while I am in Vancouver, I am feeling so grateful for everyone who has made this experience such a positive one, despite the "not-so-ideal" circumstances. I think this goes to show how, even during the most difficult of times, there is always a way to support each other and make the best out of any situation. I will be heading into my fourth week of Teacher's College, and the conflicting emotions continue. Learning online has been challenging to say the least. I have around 25 hours of class a week, and after 8.5 hours of Zoom calls and staring at my screen every Wednesday, it would be an understatement to say I feel like a total zombie. On the other hand, I've enjoyed the convenience of being able to roll out of bed, have breakfast, get ready, and be "in class" in a matter of minutes, simply by opening my laptop.
It's crazy to think that on Tuesday I will be starting my final year of University. I can say that I am looking forward to the coming months, as I will be one step closer to becoming a certified teacher. Yet, I can't deny that I'm feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and a little freaked out about it all.
My original plan was to take a couple weeks and road trip across Canada out to Vancouver with Jonathan (my significant other). Unfortunately COVID had other plans, and we decided that it wasn't the time to be doing any unnecessary travel. Additionally, the University of British Columbia (UBC) will be facilitating all courses online for the first semester, aside from our teaching placements. They are hoping that if the transition back to school goes well this month, we will be able to physically be in our schools and classrooms for our 2-week orientation practicum. Fingers crossed! |
Morgan KuepferWelcome to my blog! Check out my posts from my 11-month journey through Teacher's College at UBC from 2020-2021. |