I would never have made it to where I am today without support from a large variety of people, in many different roles. From the family that loves and nurtures me, to the medical staff that have helped me manage my diabetes. Today I want to focus on peer mentorship, and how consistent interaction with my peers is fueling my development.

Mr. Charest is a close teacher peer who has helped me in many ways along the road. Today I am thanking him for his time demonstrating and modeling a field trip with science 8 classrooms, along the Nechako river and Lheidli T’enneh history. The history of the landscape and local peoples is something I’ve taken for granted. Until recently I wasn’t aware that the cut banks were the product of a lake rapidly draining after the “bowl area” had been submerged for several hundred years. Until recently I had not understood the tragedies of the people who lived where the rivers meet. I am thankful for both First Peoples, and Colonial descendants who strive to make the history of Canada known.

I’d also like to share gratitude today for Mrs. Waughtal. She is my current CT and a very supportive mentor. Whether I’m overwhelmed, sad and on days when I’m crushing it, her wisdom is deeply appreciated, and I think we’re having fun in our dynamics. She’s done a fantastic job of modeling hands on projects for students. Her classes are fun and engaging, and often build up to cool and exciting events. In the photo below, we are simulating an earthquake, and testing the stability of structures in shaky situations.

Finally, I’ve made a new friend this week: Mr. Jurjevich. Mr. J is an old scout leader and has spent many of his days out in the woods. Mr. J was a substitute Coaching Teacher for me, and we were fortunate enough to spend a block outside looking at the forests around PGSS. I know nothing about nature. If it’s visible without a microscope, I don’t know what it is. Larry had wonderful mnemonics for memorizing plant identifiers. “Savage spruce” and “friendly fir” are going to be key points for me when teaching my future classes about the trees outside.