What Nation are you from?
I am a member of Métis Nation British Columbia. My Metis ancestry comes from my family in Saskatchewan.
What do you like best to be part about working with NITEP?
I love the sense of community within NITEP. Because it is such a small program, it is a great way to meet new people and feel a sense of community on campus. Everyone is super friendly and open to connecting. Sometimes with such a large university, it can be hard to feel connected. However, I feel like NITEP does such a great job at connecting students and staff and I love the sense of community that comes with that.
What is your favourite place on campus?
That’s a great question. UBC has such a beautiful campus with lots of cool spots. Some of my most frequented places would probably be the Longhouse, the beach, and some of the trails in Pacific Spirit Park.
What is your favourite snack to get on campus?
I love the cinnamon buns on campus. When I lived in UBC Student Housing, I loved the occasional late-night cinnamon bun from Harvest Market. I also love Rain or Shine Ice Cream. It’s the perfect Friday afternoon treat after a week of classes. In terms of actual food (and not just treats), Jamjar is by far my favourite place to grab a bite to eat when I’m hungry.
Do you have any recommended study places for students?
When I was a student at UBC, my favourite places to study were the Life Sciences building, the Longhouse, and the Ridington Room in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. The Longhouse was my go-to place to settle in and study for a few hours. Whereas, the Life Sciences building is great for natural light. The Ridington Room in IKB is where I would go if I really needed a quiet space to focus and really get things done.
Can you tell us one thing you love to do when you’re off work?
When I am not working, one thing I love to do is run. I love running both on the road and in the trails. It’s a great way for me to get outside and improve my mood. I’ve recently been getting into running longer distances and ran my first marathon last fall!
What would you like NITEP students to know about you?
I would like NITEP students to know that I am a NITEP alumni. I went through the NITEP program myself and am familiar with what it’s like going through the professional year and completing the practicum. As someone who has gone through the program, I want to be able to offer advice to those who are going through it and seeking guidance. Even though things can be super busy at times, NITEP has a variety of supports to help you find success in the program.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I come from a family of educators so education has always kind of been in the back of my mind as a good career path. I have also always loved working with kids and knew that I eventually wanted a career working with kids. I came to UBC right after high school not really knowing what specific career path I wanted to take (but knowing that I wanted to pursue post-secondary). I quickly learned about NITEP and joined the program. The focus on Indigenous Education as well as the fact that the program led to a clear career path upon graduation piqued my interest. Once I entered the program and started taking the Education classes and school placements, it was clear that I chose the right career for me. Since then, I have grown a strong passion for education and have been super happy with my choice to become an educator through NITEP.
Can you talk about your academic journey so far?
I attended UBC upon graduation from high school. I learned about NITEP and decided to join the program. After I graduated from NITEP, I started working as a teacher. Since then, I decided to continue my studies by pursuing a masters degree in school counselling. I have since graduated from my Masters degree and started working as a school counsellor.
What strategies did you use to be successful in university?
Overall the years that I attended university, I found a variety of strategies that helped me to be successful. One strategy that I consistently used throughout university was keeping an ongoing list of all my upcoming assignments. I always made it a point to list everything I had to do for all my classes in one place to make it easier to keep track of. I would refer back to the list on a daily basis to ensure that I was making progress and not forgetting anything. It really helped me to keep organized with all my different classes. Another strategy that really helped me to be successful in university was making study plans with my friends. I found it more motivating to do work when I was doing so with a friend. Sometimes we would also take breaks and grab snacks together and those little things went a long way to keep me motivated and focused. I also tried to make an effort to focus on my physical wellbeing by taking breaks to go for runs in the park, participating in yoga classes at the Longhouse, and going to the gym.
What do you like best about tutoring at NITEP?
I love meeting new NITEP students through tutoring. I love getting to know everyone and learning about their journey through the program. It’s also great to hear all the stories of success that students experience throughout the professional year.
Are there any resources at NITEP you would recommend that could help our Indigenous students be successful?
I would highly recommend that when you are looking for resources, ask somebody in NITEP for support. When in doubt, one of us can probably help you out or at least point you in the direction of somebody who can. The librarians on campus are also super helpful if you are looking for help in finding resources. I would also recommend attending the NITEP events. They are a great way to network and build up supports and a sense of community.