Learner:
I am a learner through and through...I really can't remember a time when learning new things wasn't a priority for me, and I never stop at just learning something new, I always push it so that I keep delving deeper. That said, my attention span can be short! I learned how to play roller derby, but only played for 2 years, and I got really into basic knitting, but haven't knit for almost 3 months now! I have taken up rock climbing though and learned to arm knit which is much much faster :-) |
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Thinker:
I am almost constantly thinking and I've been told that my face shows it by looking cranky / sad most of the time :-( I actually love thinking though and know that my thinking has made me who I am! I am passionate about metacognition as I believe it has the capability to take any person to the next level in school, in sport, and in life. I have learned that I think in a different way than most (I cannot visualize at all, and I can rarely hear anything but my own voice in my head) and that is ok. I am able to see the big picture, but I zoom in on the details. I worried that this was a negative mindset as I often see the holes/gaps/potential problems, but I've learned to embrace this. Thinking through an idea in this way results in fewer mistakes and more discussion upfront.
I am almost constantly thinking and I've been told that my face shows it by looking cranky / sad most of the time :-( I actually love thinking though and know that my thinking has made me who I am! I am passionate about metacognition as I believe it has the capability to take any person to the next level in school, in sport, and in life. I have learned that I think in a different way than most (I cannot visualize at all, and I can rarely hear anything but my own voice in my head) and that is ok. I am able to see the big picture, but I zoom in on the details. I worried that this was a negative mindset as I often see the holes/gaps/potential problems, but I've learned to embrace this. Thinking through an idea in this way results in fewer mistakes and more discussion upfront.
Collaborator
Collaborating is something that I could not do until I gained confidence...I was too shy and too concerned with doing well (afraid group members would drop the ball) to ever work effectively in a group. If there was a solo option I'd take it, and if it was a group assignment, I'd usually end up doing most of the work. Even for the first 5 or so years as I teacher I was an ineffective collaborator due to these insecurities. Once given the time to work with amazing colleagues like Scott Hayhurst, Stacey Wiberg and Brendan Messer, I was able to start speaking up and participating properly as a collaborator. I realized that my ideas really could be plussed by someone else and grown into something much better than what I would have been able to do on my own. I've been so happy with how effective teaching can be when it include collaboration that I actively seek out opportunities for it now. Rather than guarding my ideas and work, I now see the value in sharing them :-)
Contributor
I am a contributor because the core of my being is about giving. I care about people and the planet and do many small things to hopefully make a big difference. I contribute to a positive school community by being a good role model and through the Human Library (1600+ sign outs this year). I contribute to important causes through donations as well as various campaigns (I've done Canstruction two years in a row to help the local food bank, I was an extra in a video for the Okanagan Suicide Awareness Society, and each year I spread the word about the R-word campaign "Spread the Word to End the Word." I also have fundraised for and done sporting events (mainly runs and adventure mud races) in honour of causes that are important to me. After a rainfall you may even see me rescuing earthworms. Bottom line: everyone can contribute to the world in a positive way--what's stopping you? What more can you do?
Innovator: This one is an interesting one, for me. I am quite creative and usually good at coming up with ideas that are often at least a bit outside of the box, but I am not confident in my abilities to make my visions happen in a physical way since I am a terrible artist, and have very little mechanical or technical ability. Nonetheless, when I push myself I can do some neat things. I few years ago I made an autism awareness costume out of recycled puzzle pieces, performed in the Wearable Art Gala, and then was invited to wear it at another event (WAM-Wine, Art, Music) where I was given $50 for being an autism awareness statue for two hours! More simply I innovate all the time when cooking as I rarely use recipes other than to get the basic idea of ratios and what not. Last weekend I made an AMAZING banana bread that included tons of ad libbing and substitutions (like applesauce instead of butter, palm sugar instead of sugar, adding yogurt and flax, etc.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ciphotog/5587175341/in/set-72157626296595011/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ciphotog/5587175341/in/set-72157626296595011/