Hello from gillian
Hello fellow METers …
Off of the waiting list and into the fire! This is my EIGHTH course, and while I am close to the end of my MET journey, it appears it will be extended a little longer as I will be taking next semester off awaiting the arrival of my first child in November. I am hoping that pregnancy brain is just a myth, but I admit I have already had a few moments …
Professionally, I am an Adult educator with the Vancouver School Board – a job I have loved for the past 10 years. It has been a very stressful year with budget shortfalls, cutbacks, threats of relocation, job action and recently announced ministry funding changes to adult education programmes. That being said, I view this course as a very exciting and very relevant opportunity.
Adult ed, although publicly funded, operates very much like a business. Our funding and growth depends on the number of students we can attract to our program. Innovations in course delivery methods has helped us maintain and grow our registration numbers and provide more flexibility for our students despite funding issues. My hope is to explore newer ‘ventures’ that can be implemented for the future of adult education in the province and provide new opportunities for growth. To be practical, I am also interested in exploring other possible ‘ventures’ outside of adult ed and the public sphere of education.
It appears we have a very dynamic and diverse group; I am looking forward to learning from all of you.
gillian
Posted in: Uncategorized
Danielle 9:02 am on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Wow, Gillian!
Congratulations on expecting your first baby! That is so exciting! I will look forward to pics in Google Circles when the time comes.
It is really great to see you again as well and I also hope this will be our chance to work together!
Danielle
gillian 4:56 pm on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks Danielle,
It is quite surreal at the moment. I will share at least one photo when it all happens, promise.
gillian
Claire Burgoyne 9:35 am on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Gillian,
Congratulations that’s exciting news!
Your description of how adult ed operates sounds very similar to Distributed Learning. Challenging at times but perhaps beneficial as the competitive element means courses continue to improve.
I look forward to working with you.
Claire
gillian 4:57 pm on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Claire,
From what I understand about DL, Adult Ed is quite similar – It certainly classifies as Adult Education!
gillian
Deborah S 10:47 am on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Gillian,
Congratulations! Being a parent is by far the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
Looking forward to working with you.
Deborah
gillian 4:57 pm on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks Deborah.
Looking forward to working with you as well.
gillian
vawells 2:59 pm on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Gillian
Congratulations on expecting your first child! I have 2 grown children of my own and have enjoyed them at all of the stages of their development. I look forward to working with you this term.
Valerie
gillian 4:58 pm on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks Valerie. I appreciate the encouragement.
gillian
mariefrancehetu 5:54 pm on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Congrats Gilliant!
How exciting . . . it certainly sounds as if you will be having a very busy time! Enjoy! I look forward to sharing and working with you over the term.
Marie-France
gillian 4:59 pm on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Marie-France,
Hopefully it won’t be too crazy this semester. I know other METers who have done it, but I think I’ll take my third trimester off.
gillian
Dennis Pratt 9:32 pm on May 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Gillian;
Congrats on the baby and I hate to break it to you but pregnancy brain is real, and normal. I have seen the effects three times up close. our youngest is only 8 weeks and we are happy to get through the crying for no reason phase. They are precious! Enjoy every moment!
Dennis
gillian 5:00 pm on May 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey Dennis,
Good to see your name on the list again (and a face to go with the name).
Here’s hoping my case of pregnancy brain is a mild one … I need all the IQ points I can get from the looks of the upcoming weeks!
gillian
dubiend 12:58 pm on May 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey Gillian,
Adult Ed sounds like fun! What subjects ahve you taught? Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
gillian 11:01 am on May 12, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Adult Ed is great fun when the politicians don’t get in the way! I have taught the full gamut of courses in the English and Humanities field. I am currently teaching a new course for myself and our program which is Social Justice 12. Very exciting and lots of fun. Thanks for your interest and luck.
gillian
mackenzie 11:11 pm on May 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Gillian,
Its been just over a year since we worked together and I have to say I miss you and am really looking forward to sharing this course. Congradulations on your new baby, I know you’ll be as great a Mom as you were an inspirational leader. I can just see you, baby in one arm and a bottle under your chin, typing with your free hand and mousing with your toes. If anyone can do it, you can! Looking forward to those adorable pictures.
Cheers, Steve
gillian 11:03 am on May 12, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey Mac,
I was happy to ‘see’ you here! That’s quite a picture you painted there! Thank you for your congratulations and confidence – it’s certainly going to be an interesting challenge.
gillian