I would love to say that I’ve always known I was going to be a teacher, but in fact, I used to resent the idea of becoming a teacher and would tell people there was no way I would ever do so. This was mainly due to my English degree, where the follow up question would be “so what are you going to do with that? Become a teacher?” as if it was the only option and that I would probably settle for that, since it’s “all an English degree is really good for.” I’m sure fellow humanities kids can relate, but I spent many years trying to ignore the stigma that English was “beneath” Science and Business.
I spent two years after university living my best ski bum life, living in Whistler and skiing and mountain biking my life away. At the time, this was exactly what I needed, and leaving home to a place where I knew no one really gave me a space to find out exactly who I was. I was finally in an environment that didn’t place so much value on how much money you made after university or how prestigious your accounting job was in Toronto. Everyone was like-minded: focused on the outdoors and just living in the moment. I had always loved being outside, but this is where I really grew as a person to appreciate the land we live on and how beneficial and healing it can be. This sparked my passion for outdoor education.
The moment that really changed my perspective was when I began to work for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC in social media and marketing. Since I was running their social media, I often collected stories of past Bigs and Littles and came to realize just how important and significant a mentor can be. I was inspired to join the program myself and I became a Big Sister to the coolest fourth grader a girl could have asked for. I spent time every week with her at her elementary school and through this program it all became pretty clear.
When I look back on that girl in her first years of university I’m so glad she got to experience different options, but I couldn’t be more sure of where I am now.