The Caravan
“The Caravan” represents reflecting on where you come from, the skills and experiences that you utilized to bring you this far, and the skills, beliefs and resources that you need to continue on your journey.
I will start “unpacking” my caravan with a brief biography.
Biography
I am the youngest of nine children born to Theresa Firlotte and Norman Esliger. I grew up on a small farm in the community of Black Point, near the town of Dalhousie, New Brunswick. Teaching was a family trait although my parents and siblings were not as fortunate as me to be formally trained. My oldest sister Linda completed grade 8 and taught grades 1 – 3 in the one room school in Archibald Settlement, NB. My oldest brother Paul joined the Canadian Armed Forces and received his training through then in administration and quickly became an educator as well as a respected administrator. My mom was an amazing teacher who shared, through her fine example, all the skills she collected in cooking, housekeeping, sewing, quilting and gardening. Through my life experiences (to age 18), I realized that I wished to leave my mark in this world as an educator. Attending K-12 at Dalhousie Regional High School, I graduated and began my post-secondary career in 1981.
I studied at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton Campus, for my Bachelor of Education degree and after four years I began my teaching career teaching science 8 -10 and biology 11 and 12 at Prince George College in Prince George, BC. My next position was teaching grades 7 – 10 science and math at Kitwanga Junior Elementary School in Kitwanga, BC. During my four years teaching in the north, I was a science and math teacher, a special educator, and a school counsellor. I left the north to accept a teaching position in Nanaimo, BC on Vancouver Island as a Resource Teacher at John Barsby Community Secondary School.
After teaching resource room for five years I attended the University of British Columbia to complete a Diploma in Special Education. Immediately after completing the diploma program I enrolled in a Masters of Arts program through San Diego State University in San Diego California and completed my MA in Leadership in Special Education in 1998 .
With my MA in hand, I entered into the ranks of school-based administration for three years. I then became District Principal of Student Support Services for 8 years and most recently, I am now an assistant superintendent in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District.
Along the way I have accepted sessional teaching positions at the local Vancouver Island University in the departments of Health and Human Services (School and Community Support Worker Program) and the Faculty of Education.
I’ve provided leadership to the province through my work on the executive of BCCASE (BC Council of Administrators of Special Education) a six year commitment.
On a personal note, I am the step-father of three amazing children – Julie, Alexi and Liam. Two of the three of them are in university to become educators and the third is studying computer science at UBC.
Outside of my professional life, I am an avid gardener, runner and quilter. My husband and I hit the running trails every weekday morning at 6:30am before beginning our work day. I also enjoy reading, playing piano, painting and spending time with friends and family.
