Volume 41 Number 2
Spring 2020
Groundwork Helping your Students and Yourself in the Time of Pandemic
New Facilitation Resources
What’s New in the ABE Classroom
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ABEABC Board of Directors President
Michelle Vandepol
Vice President
Viviana Chiorean
Secretary
Andrea Eaton
Treasurer
Izabela Mazur
Conference Co Chair
Margaret Zmudzka-Bajerski
Groundwork Chair
Jane Parker
Aboriginal Liaison
Lillian Prince
Membership Chair
Allison Kilgannon
Government Liaison
Michelle Rickaby
Delta/Surrey/ Fraser Valley Rep
Valerie Sprott
North Central Rep
Jane Klem
Metro Vancouver Rep
Stephanie Forgacs
Kootney– Boundary Rep
John Cowan
Vancouver Island Rep
Sofia Lopez Fuertes
Cariboo Okanagan Rep
Kim Moshenko
Groundwork is published 2-3 times each year by the Adult Basic Education Association of British Columbia. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policies of the ABEABC except where explicitly stated. We encourage participation from members and others in the field of Adult Basic Education. Board Member contact information: abeabc.ca/contacts.htm Send manuscripts and accompanying photographs to the Editor by email: jparker@vcc.ca & info@abeabc.ca General enquiries about ABEABC can also be sent to info@abeabc.ca Many thanks to our contributors to this issue. The ABEABC homepage can be found at
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www.abeabc.ca/
Letter from the President
Editor’s Letter WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!
Hello and welcome to the Spring 2020 issue of Groundwork.
Also included in this issue is a tribute to a career in ABE, things to consider when planning We are typically handing out this retirement, book recommendations issue at our conference so it feels and how to best serve your stuodd to be crafting it to send to you dents who may be at risk for in the light of its cancellation. domestic violence. To adhere to safety COVID-19 measures, we have moved our 2020 conference booking to April 22 and 23 2021 at the same resort and most of our presenters have already committed to coming to present then. We received much in the way of encouraging communication and it is gratifying to receive affirmation on our work in the field. We are thankful for each one of you as well.
Our ABEABC Board of Directors will be hosting our AGM in May. Watch your inbox for the AGM package and dates in the days ahead. If you are interested in taking a more active role in ABEABC engagement through acting as a regional rep, hosting an event (virtually or in person after the stay home order is lifted), writing an article or presenting on a topic, you are welcome to join us. Feel In this issue, look for where to list free to send me an email to express your interest at your online event, what is most michelle.vandepol@ufv.ca helpful in ABE from a student’s perspective and an interview with If you have ideas for activities and a new BC author. partnerships you’d like to see the In Educators share resources there association participate in, drop us a line at info@abeabc.ca . are team building activities, nutrition tips for the time crunched, and how to walk 1 mile in front of your desk.
We’d be happy to work with you to make ABEABC the association you’re dreaming of.
We’re bringing your colleagues together in this issue to share their COVID teaching transition experiences and also have included advice from a gratitude practioner for everyday practices.
From our offices and classrooms to yours, have healthy and happy spring and summer. We look forward to the development of our skill sets in this new online learning environment and we look forward to connecting with you throughout the year.
Michelle
Michelle Vandepol, ABEABC president 3
Think of us when you attend a conference, webinar, or professional development event. Your peers would appreciate reading a review, a summary, or a recommendation. Have you read a book that was particularly valuable in your practice? A book review or synopsis would be of great help when your colleagues are looking to spend their department’s library allocations. Did you take some great photos on your last holiday or for your Instagram feed? We are always looking for cover art and would be glad to feature yours. Do you have a student who would like to gain a publishing credit? Let them know they can submit a student-view article.
Want to Write For Groundwork? Contact Acquisitions Editor Jane Parker, Groundwork Chair jparker@vcc.ca info@abeabc.ca
OPPORTUNITIES TO PROMOTE YOUR EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
Great news! If you are looking for another spot to promote your educational event in BC, consider making an easy-to-create account on BC Campus’ Teaching and Learning Professional Development Portal for BC Post-Secondary Educators. It can be found at https:// tlpd.bccampus.ca/ Sign up at https://tlpd.bccampus.ca/ sign-up/ Sign up is simple and requires your first and last name, Institution, City/Town, Province, username, work email address, and password. Once agreeing to the terms, confirming your account through the link sent to your work email address, and logging back in, you will be able to start posting events immediately. The benefits for your events are many: If you don’t want to be relegated to a small mention in your institutional events listings. If you are working on this event in
partnership with an unofficial BEST PRACTICES FOR coalition that does not have its own POSTING: website. Make it engaging. If you want to have your event Review your posting to ensure you listed in a larger context of are not including redundant upcoming events for educators to information. increase its credibility and interest. Share it with other event planning If your event budget does not allow members or shareholders to get for marketing. If you want to have their feedback prior to promoting something to announce via press widely. If they give you feedback release or newsletter to your target after it’s already been promoted, audience. If you want to spread the assure them that you will login and word about free professional make the necessary changes development opportunities. It is not promptly. And then do so. limited to this. It simply lends itself Include all the relevant information well to this. including room numbers, who is If you want to provide your event welcome, and who would be good cheerleaders and allys with a link to contact for more information. If to promote on social media and in you receive updated information newsletters they have access to. leading up to the event, be sure to It allows you to be in the know log back in and update the event as about a variety of upcoming events well. that may be of interest to your Include the event link in your colleagues. Promote theirs and promotional emails with presenters yours at the same time. Let them and participants leading up to the know about interesting event. Remember, online events opportunities. Watch them start to can be promoted too. think of you when things arise as well. 4
STUDENT POINT OF VIEW
Interview with Student— What is Most Valuable in the ABE Classroom? How would you describe your education journey in pursuit of upgrading for your Adult Dogwood or completion of university program pre-requisites? My upgrading journey has been a slippery slope. I tried countless times in the past to get my life back on track, but failed miserably. I suffered from boredom, lack of interest, homework overload, and frustration. When I met my boyfriend, he, and his mom encouraged me to keep trying to get my education so, i signed up for UFV and really enjoyed it. Suddenly school became interesting and fun. I never thought it was possible. The teachers Gina and Mark are passionate and helpful. Michelle is always very encouraging and informative. I feel like all of the time i spend here is very productive and it makes me feel good about the work i am accomplishing.
classmates? Juggling homework, life, and full-time work. At the end of a busy week, I feel mentally exhausted. Pushing myself that extra mile is sometimes difficult, since in the past I was never one to push. What university resources have been most beneficial? The best resource I have found is talking. Talk to EVERYONE, talking to teachers, students, advisors.. etc; don’t suffer in silence with a dilemma, because you might just gain more knowledge by voicing your problems. What do you think students could use more of?
Time management help and lessons. Sometimes students overwhelm themselves with long What has been a highlight? lists of details. I think more students would benefit from a tailor made schedule to help them Reaching goals i thought were succeed and not become scared of particularly impossible for me such the workload. as, learning difficult Math problems. Do you see any common concerns arising among your What has been most difficult? 5
I guess it would be finishing work on time. Its understandable that some parts of the work are not easy to understand, but we also tend to focus on the load-to-life ratio and we discourage ourselves. How would you encourage someone just starting out with their adult basic education? When you begin you may think about the times you failed, or what you are, and aren’t good at. That is okay. Just know you aren’t the only person who has struggled countless times. If you show-up, listen, ask questions, and have a willingness to learn, you'll do just fine. What are your plans after finishing your upgrading? I am happy to report that I have already applied for Graphic art and Digital Design! Anything else you would like Groundwork readers to know?
REVIEW & DEVELOPMENT
Interview on Classroom Facilitation with Author Beth Cougler Blom
How would you describe your strategy for tackling writing your first book?
There have been two highlights for me in writing the book.
One has been the opportunity to think deeply about the influences I’ve had on my own facilitation One of the first things I did was career. These are the people and get Joanna Penn’s book called programs that have made a big How to Write Non-Fiction. This impact on my practice. I also helped me ask myself why I was really enjoyed interviewing 30 writing my book, who I was writing it for, and what I hoped to facilitators across Canada about their facilitation practices and accomplish with it. In fact, I did consider those meetings a gift to an incredible amount of reading my own professional throughout my research phase, reading books in my field but also development. books about how to write a book. I created a Trello board online and What has been most difficult? started putting to do items in it for each of my research, writing, publishing and marketing stages. The most difficult thing has been dealing with self-doubt. Even To write the actual book, I got up though I actually consider myself almost every weekday morning for quite a confident and capable months at about 5:30am so I could person and don’t usually have a lot work on the book before my of self-doubt, it definitely crept up family woke up. I also took three on me with this project. I worry if weekend retreats to immerse I’m getting it “right” and what myself in writing and I took a people will think about the book week off work at the time I when it’s published. Writing a wanted to push to finish my first book is hugely vulnerable work. draft. I’m laughing at myself that I picked a pretty big topic to write What has been a highlight in the about for my first book. course of writing it?
very positive feedback from my beta readers, my editor, and good support from friends and family at various key points throughout the process. And I’m a very goal-oriented, self-motivated person, so that has always served me well. What new insights into classroom facilitation does it cover? One of the main things that I think people will appreciate about this book is that it gives people the tools they need to know how to design engaging classes or workshops. Over the years I’ve realized that when people aren’t taught how to facilitate, they usually default to just standing up and making long presentations, falling into the trap of talking at people instead of creating participatory learning experiences.
I’ve written this book for everyone who was never trained in how to facilitate courses or workshops and sort of just fell into doing the work, to give them practical (Oh, I’ll just write about the entire strategies and tools to help them topic of workshop facilitation, that be able to do it well. continued on page 9 will be easy!) Luckily, I’ve gotten 6
EDUCATORS SHARE RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
How to Eat like a TimeCrunched Nutritionist https:// www.everydayhealth.com/ columns/johannahsakimura-nutrition-sleuth/ how-to-eat-like-a-timecrunched-nutritionist/
Calls for Proposals https://open.bccampus.ca/call-forproposals/
TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES FOR COLLEAGUES
Go for a 1 mile walk in
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/ creative-team-outing-ideas
front of your desk https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=X3q5e1pV4pc
Bullet Journal Ideas for Beginners in 2020 Online Teaching Fundamentals
https:// diaryofajournalplanner.com/bullet -journal-collections/
https://view.genial.ly/5e6957095e63ef673f4eece5
Student Planning Activity Goal Setting: The Best Year Ever https://www.pinterest.ca/ pin/394768723560202684/
BC TEAL Initiatives & Resources https://www.bcteal.org/ initiatives-resources/ Send us your favorite online resource by emailing the editor (information on page 3) 7
WORKING GROUPS
ABE Instructors Weigh In: Supporting students Online in a time of Change and Stress ABE instructors are feeling the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic demands on their students, many of whom are adding online learning to their daily demands for the first time mid-semester. A population of students who are already incredibly vulnerable in so many areas of their lives; they are now facing additional fear and uncertainty and the impact that the pandemic is having on their already tenuous situations.
level Hybrid students,
document. Being flexible allows more students to participate “I know you did not choose to take without additional stress. my course fully online, so I will do all I can to make the transition Remembering to reach out to one’s easy.” The changes she has made colleagues especially when include extending due dates, suddenly moving from a modifying the research assignment supportive office environment to a to make it easier, and eliminating remote working situation is key. a poetry assignment. She says We’re in this together. Here are a she’s open to make other changes round-up of key tips: as needed. Like her colleague, she wants to reduce students’ burdens REMIND MINDFUL OF ABE rather than add to them. Above all, STUDENTS’ MULTIPLE she is aiming to be a voice of STRESSORS. “How many students are single encouragement to them. To this Use reassuring language in your parents, now at home indefinitely end she posted all the students' communication. with their school age kids? How grades in Grade Book online many have received this week a lay already, so students can see how BE WILLING TO RESTATE -off notice from their minimum much they have accomplished to RESOURCES AND wage job? The list of date so they gain perspective and INSTRUCTIONS. vulnerabilities goes on and on, are encouraged to persevere for a Some additional interactions will compounding daily,” says one few more weeks. be because of forgetfulness and multilevel ABE instructor. He says misunderstandings and some will the main question he’s asking They also suggest providing links/ be for reassurance and community. himself is: videos and suggesting browsers that work best for their viewing. LOOK AT WHERE YOU CAN “What can I do to reduce the SCALE EXPECTATIONS BACK. burden rather than add to it?” Another common helpful video Capacity is much lower in times topic for students is how to submit like these. His colleagues have similar topics files as that is often confusing for on their minds. Some are pitching them. In courses like math where MOVE TO A COACHING in with online resources and students may need to upload files, MODEL. tutorials. Others are instructors are advising them to do Helping students demonstrate recommending ways they’re whatever’s easiest, whether it’s proficiency and encouraging them making things easier for their taking a picture of the homework along will allow for increased students in this time. and emailing it, scanning it and success despite the odds. sending it in, or taking a picture As one told her English provincial and copy and pasting it into a word ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FACE 8
COMMUNITY VOICES
How would you encourage Interview with Author Beth Couglar Blom someone wanting to transform their classroom facilitation? Write their own book? What do you think ABE learners and educators could use more of Transforming classroom in the classroom? facilitation happens one action or activity at a time. Maybe it’s taking I’ve never been in an ABE the step to design a class in a lesson classroom so I don’t know if I can plan document instead of going really answer this question in an straight to making a PowerPoint informed way. But what I do know deck, or maybe it’s re-creating one is that any educator in any context part of what was originally a can always use more ideas as to presentation into an interactive how to make the learning activity for participants instead. It experiences they are facilitating could involve paying more even better…even if they are attention to the language that already doing things very well! someone uses to be a more That’s why I love this field, inclusive facilitator. I think that because our job of learning how to first a person has to want to make be better facilitators of learning is change, and then they just have to actually never done. It’s exciting. go out and do it, one step at a time. Reaching out to colleagues in the field for new ideas and paying Do you see any common concerns attention to other great facilitators arising among your colleagues in action are great things to do as and workshop participants? well to keep growing your facilitation practice. Continued from page 6
This is a question I asked many of the facilitators I interviewed for the book. I asked something akin to, “What common pitfalls do you see other people making when they lead sessions?” Almost everyone answered with some version of “Death by PowerPoint”. So many people—in all sectors—are still standing up in front of groups just talking at them instead of facilitating interactivity and engagement with and among them. I think this is the biggest shift that a person has to make, to go from making presentations or giving lectures to facilitating engaging and participatory experiences for learners.
What are the workshops people can find you at in the coming year? How do they connect with you? It’s starting to look like people will be able to find me online this year most of all, because with COVID19 happening, all of my face-toface workshops have been cancelled, postponed or are moving online. The best place to connect with me right now is through my website at bethcouglerblom.com, where I list upcoming workshops and courses that I’ll be facilitating. People can reach out to me to 9
discuss custom workshops or 1:1 sessions – I love both! I also teach facilitation courses for both Royal Roads University Professional & Continuing Studies and the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Anything else you would like Groundwork readers to know? I’d like readers to know that I wrote Design to Engage to be really accessible to many people in many different contexts, not just in the language that I used (as practical and as non-academic as I could) but in the way the book is laid out and can be read. I shared a lot of my own stories and anecdotes along the way to make it lighthearted and interesting as well as practical. I hope your readers enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. —————————————— Beth is a writer and facilitator in BC. ____________________________ TAKEAWAYS Celebrate ongoing learning when it comes to classroom facilitation. You are simply adding to your teaching options, not replacing what you have been doing. Building in student engagement decreases your lecture workload and increases student information retention.
Izabela Mazur Transition to Teaching and Learning Online
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only caused a great deal of socio-economic, professional, and psychological upheaval, but has also forced millions of educators around the world to adapt their teaching and experiment to include digital learning as their primary teaching tool.
nect with our students.
Being one of the many instructors who genuinely enjoys being in a classroom and who appreciates the opportunity to interact with students, I knew these unprecedented circumstances would be a difficult adjustment for me. The whole idea In mid-March, with only a month of using technology in your classleft of classes, our institution room has its own challenges, but announced the almost immediate trying to transition to online teachshift from face-to-face classes to ing overnight during the pandemic online teaching in response to the is something else altogether. After social distancing directive of the becoming emotional with all of the province. Initially, the idea of unknown aspects of moving to transitioning to online online teaching, I had to quickly environments in just a few days choose a personal approach to seemed impossible for many. teaching and learning in this exFacing worries about how to traordinary circumstance. Attendsuccessfully complete the winter ing few workshops, talking to other semester and switch to online colleagues about their plans, and teaching, educators were asking learning about tools for online many questions: How can we connect with students? Is it realistic teaching helped me take the first step. for us to assume that all of our students will just sign in online and What seemed impossible at first take the class as scheduled before, become possible. It is amazing that but now in an online environment? through collaboration, sharing How could we continue to provide resources, and offering our talents, a rich learning experience for all many of us were able to make this students? Do they all have access transition to digital learning more to the internet? How will they feel smoothly and quickly than first about the change? How can we help anticipated. Some colleagues found our students stay on their paths? the transition more difficult and What are their other found ways around having to adapt responsibilities, like jobs and to new technology to help their family care? students through the last few weeks of classes - using the telephone and However, we were not given a choice - we had to adapt our peda- email for communication and gogy and improve our understand- sharing of assignments. I know that those of us who transitioned to ing of technology in order to con10
online learning platforms have found the experience challenging but rewarding. My next step was adapting and experimenting with new tools on the Moodle platform. Although I had already been using Moodle in my face to face classes to share materials and contact students, I had never used it as a platform for a virtual classroom. Exploring new Moodle applications can be overwhelming at first, but you can never learn without trying. You think you can’t before you can. Using Big Blue Button within Moodle allowed me to effectively connect with my students in real-time online classrooms. The platform allowed me to create a vibrant learning experience and to deliver my course materials in my online environment through conversations, games, videos, pictures, and PDFs. That being said, my first online class did not work the way I expected it to: the notes that I posted the night before were gone, I couldn’t write on my iPad and had to use the mouse to write on my monitor, and worst of all, half way through the session, my students couldn’t hear me for a few minutes! Yet, after the first day, although I knew that I had to expect that some plans may not work, I learned to make peace with it, and be more patient with myself.
BC Campus Supports for Educators It was not easy to stay grounded in this unpredictable situation, but I learned to take it one day at a time. Each day provided opportunities for me to learn from my own experience and to constantly improve. Despite the surprise hurdles of my first-class, I was grateful to my students for their patience and was inspired to make adjustments that would hopefully result in more successful experiences.
connected us to our students these past few weeks and that our classrooms will be more engaging, inclusive, interesting, and effective as a result. ____________________________ Izabela Mazur is an ABE Math instructor at a post-secondary institution in BC and serves as the ABEABC treasurer.
TAKEAWAYS As my confidence increased, I was thankful for the chance to connect with my students and assure them Be generous with grace for that, even though their educational yourself and your students path was disrupted by the spread of the coronavirus, they would be fine and together we could do it. Be on the look-out for skills you Most of my students were attending and your colleagues can share with my virtual classes and engaging each other that you already possess. with me through the chat in the Big Blue Button. We were able to communicate, ask and answer Know that confidence in new questions, interact on our virtual platforms and processes will come white board, and even laugh as you use them. together. Many students appreciated the fact that they could communicate with me and continue the course without going outside. Post encouragement around your One even commented that, office that reminds yourself of the “attending class in pajamas was a good that is happening now. plus.� Looking ahead, I am hopeful that this pandemic will end soon and that future classes will be Give opportunity for students to taught face to face. share their experiences good and However, I am also hopeful that my bad. colleagues and I will continue to use the learning platforms, online delivery tools, and resources that Know we are in this together. 11
During these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been tremendous pressure on faculty & instructors to ensure continuity in their course delivery. At BCcampus, we recognize the challenges this brings and we've compiled a number of resources to help ease the burdens of this transition. We've curated a number of resources for communicating with students online, and how to modify assignments and assessments for digital delivery. You can find these documents here: https://bccampus.ca/aboutus/reports-and-reviews/
In addition, we are hosting weekly "Office Hours" for faculty and instructors who are moving their courses to an online delivery. You can find the current offerings of these sessions at: https:// bccampus.ca/events/
And finally, you can find a number of open ABE textbooks that can be added to online courses, or used as support materials at open.bccampus.ca.
CONTINUED ON PG 19
WELLBEING
Practicing Happiness Marla Rosenberg How would you describe the impact of your gratitude practice on your retirement, community, volunteer, and part-time work? I started my “happy day” posts while I was still working. It started as a challenge to post on Facebook, something every day for 100 days, that made you happy. It was at a time that teachers were on strike, walking the picket lines, and it seemed that there wasn’t much to be happy about. So, I joined. Everyone else stopped after 100 days. I didn’t. I just celebrated 2000 happy days…and it was also International day of Happiness, that day. What has been surprising to you in the practice?
I stopped for 1 week after my dad passed away, but other than that, I’ve been quite consistent. I am currently on day 2003. I started during a teacher strike in June 2015.
they do, that would qualify for a gratitude practice, whether it’s journaling, or painting, or sewing, everyone’s looks different. How would you encourage someone wanting to try it out?
What is the feedback you most often hear?
I have a friend who wanted to begin and so she just took her The feedback I hear most often is iPhone and started taking pictures that people enjoy reading my post, and thinking about all that made that my posts make them happy, her happy. She’s on day 32 now and they would be disappointed if and feeling much happier, she I stopped. reports. What do you think the connection between gratitude and an enthusiasm for one’s everyday is?
What are your plans for sharing your practice in the coming year?
I think continuing to share my I’ve always been a positive person, page daily on Facebook is all I’m glass half-full type. But I realize going to do in the coming year. It has surprised me that people that I have so many things to be look forward to seeing what I’m grateful for. going to post each day. They’ve Anything else you would like told me that. I always said that the Groundwork readers to know? post was going to be something Do you see any common that made ME happy. The fact that concerns arising among your others feel happy too, is a bonus I would love to know if anyone community as to starting up a that I never expected. gratitude practice? What seems starts a happy day post and if they notice a difference in how they to stop people? feel. Has there been any difficulties in ___________________________ continuing in? What gratitude I don’t see any common concerns day are you currently on? How among my friends to starting up a Marla is a gratitude practitioner did it start? who shares her practice on social gratitude practice. I think many media and in workshop settings. people already have something 12
Teaching Online? Here's the link to Web whiteboard: https:// www.webwhiteboard.com/. You’ll have to create an account in order to create a whiteboard but you don’t have to bother filling in any payment information & it will work just fine. Other users can be invited to share the whiteboard without an account. Note: It can be slow to load initially but once it's started it's pretty slick.
Conference Registration comes with a Membership to the Association as well as a year’s subscription to Groundwork.
Membership in the ABEABC is open to you if you are involved in:
Article idea? Online workshop you want to share? Email info@abeabc.ca
basic literacy programs ABE Foundations and HSC native adult education programs literacy in libraries ESL programs for adults workplace literacy programs correctional institution programs GED and college-prep programs community-based programs Organizational memberships are also able. https://www.abeabc.ca/membership/
When language learning needs to move online https://kumuni.com/wp/courses-2/ continuity-of-learning-spring-2020/
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avail-
READING BREAK
Add this book to your grace-based living library. Powerful strategies for real people. Shannon Lee Simmons unhooks shame from how we interact with money like Geneen Roth does with how we interact with food and Tim Kimmel does with how we parent. A new
Largely populated with candid stories from his practice in the downtown Eastside and grounded by the author's vulnerable personal sharing, scientific studies, and interfaith wisdom; this book is not a fast read. Be prepared to change your mind about a few things, take a brave look at where addiction might surface in your own life, and forge on empowered by a new, well-informed empathy for yourself and your fellow
A practical mind and heart expanding read. If you liked "Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending" and would aspire to be a philanthropist if only you had the resources; this book is for you. With sections on "painless giving" & using social influence for good; it is a joy-filled refreshing take on
A heady journey through the world of art and art forgery. Readers will root for the main character Pinch even as he makes most things (except for his art) a terrible mess.
A gorgeous book. Characters you will care about. A book you will attempt to read slowly to make it last. Walls celebrates the difficulty, inconvenient alignments, and persistent beauty of life and describes it romantically, without descending into sentimentalism or trite phrasing. Honest character development and wise insight embracing 4 people who will feel 14
WORKDAY HACKS
DEVELOPING COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS AS OUTREACH
PROVIDING ADDED VALUE TO STUDENTS 1. Open textbooks 2. Food pantry listings 3. guest speakers 4. free online events 5. job postings board
ASK: what does the community need? THEN: how can what I have help? ALSO: who do I know who can be of assistance or provide insight?
EFFORTLESS PARTNERSHIPS
CONNECTING TO YOUR PURPOSE EVERYDAY
Follow up a good working experience with another. Replicate past successes. Express thanks. Plan ahead. Think win-win-win. Introduce others you think would work well together too.
Start with gratitude. Take the long view. Celebrate who shows up. (including yourself) Enjoy the day. Remind others of what’s going well. Set ambitious goals together. 15
CLASSROOM SAFETY
Would You Know if One of Your Students Was in Danger? Interview with a Transition House Coordinator I need to pre-emptively note that I will be using the term women and children or families throughout my answers because of the nature of work in Transition House. By no means does that mean abuse isn’t happening to men or in LGBTQ2+ communities. As anti-violence workers we recognize that work needs to be done to prevent the abuse of men in relationships.
miss school without explanation, frequent injuries with the excuse ‘accidents’, anxious to please their partner, restrictions around seeing family and friends, Note ** this list is not exhaustive** What has been a highlight of your work?
Women who have come to us, stayed and not returned to their abuser. Supporting women and How would an instructor know if their children through some of the his or her student was in danger most difficult times in their lives and then seeing them find housing of abuse? and become independent in the community again. Nothing Abuse can take many different forms, from isolation to emotional compares to watching a woman spread her wings and fly again. abuse, verbal abuse to financial abuse, elder abuse and of course and of course physical and sexual What has been most difficult? violence. It can be very hard to tell if a student was in danger of abuse, The stories. Each woman we deal with has a story that is hers and but building relationships with hers alone. Unimaginable acts of students can help – people are more likely to disclose when they violence and abuse, even unlawful restraint. We do lots of training to feel safe. Domestic and Intimate prevent ‘vicarious trauma’ which Partner Violence can happen to is “is the emotional residue of anyone. It does not affect any single demographic more than any exposure that counselors have from working with people as they other. are hearing their trauma stories and become witnesses to the pain, What are the warning signs? fear, and terror that trauma survivors have endured" -- https:// Talking about their partners jealousy or possessiveness, check www.counseling.org/docs/traumadisaster/fact-sheet-9---vicariousin often with their partner, self trauma.pdf esteem will decline, major personality changes, frequently 16
What partnership resources have been most beneficial? All of them. I lean into our partners almost daily. Fraser Health, BC Society of Transition Houses, UFV, our local bands, Law Society of BC, Food Bank, Homeless Association of BC, School District 78, MCFD. Our women and their children’s needs are as unique as each of them. If it weren’t for our partners our successes would not be as high. What do you think community members could use more of in terms of awareness around relationship abuse? That it can happen to anyone, anytime, any socio-economic class, any gender, any race, any religion, any person anywhere. That it does not necessarily have to be physical and leave visible marks. Abuse can be emotional or psychological where there is shaming and humiliation, put downs and name calling. It can be verbal with yelling and body language where the intent is to hurt another person. It can be sexual where no means no. So often women don’t realize that even if they are married they have the right to decline intimacy. It is seen as financial abuse where women are not allowed to have a bank account or a credit card,
Best. Career. Ever Andrea Eaton It started out as a fluke and ended as a passion. I was trained as a social worker and did seven hard years in that line of work. Let’s just say that when a social worker comes to the door, you are not often met with open arms. That’s why finding myself as a volunteer at a Delta education centre in an adult ESL class with students whose teacher was temporarily away was a revelation. My trepidation about understanding learners with heavy accents and adjustment issues was soon put to rest as I realized how wonderful it was to have eager students who were thrilled at my presence.
otherwise on the low pay that was the standard for many ESL and adult ed positions. Work was precarious. Classes were often cut if enrollment went down. Adult education was generally considered a second thought, a luxury that could be done without if school funding was down, the first program to be trimmed or discarded. Not as valued as the K-12 system. Adult ed teachers felt looked down on by those who controlled the purse strings and even by their colleagues. The attitude by some was that If you couldn’t make it in the regular system, you could always teach adult ed. Fortunately, some school I was amazed to have them thank districts and colleges now have me sincerely as they left for the equal pay for adult educators, day. When the regular teacher enough for independent living. returned, the barely articulate Well, for anywhere except in the group somehow convinced the Lower Mainland. Most teachers at program manager to allow me to continue. Worried that enrollment my centre can now get enough might drop otherwise, she hired me hours of work to have an adequate living. for that class. I was hooked. I went back to school for my TESL Why has this job been so certificate and began a 30-year love rewarding? Like many teachers in this field believe, it’s all about the affair with the profession. Okay, I was lucky. My timing learners. They are there by choice, unlike in K-12. Some suffered in worked well for a mom with a young family, as I only wanted part the regular system due to emotional or learning difficulties, and the -time work. Which was all the teaching that most adult ed people smaller classes in adult ed are a relief. They can get the support could get in the late eighties. A they need. There is less pressure. little later, immigration was They love the intimacy of knowing surging, as were jobs, and I their teacher and classmates well. managed to get hired before the It is a new style of learning. For terrible days that befell many newcomers to Canada, the lifelong programs. I had adequate work, and an employed partner. It would learning concept here is a happy surprise. Constant test anxiety is not have been easy to manage 17
no longer there. They can call teachers by their first names. They can begin to develop new friends and contacts to help make up for the losses that profound change can bring. Adult Ed classes share stories, often interesting and hilarious, sometimes tragic. Our students have the inside scoop about many social issues. Learners from abroad let us find out about the world in a deeper way than international travel often affords. The relaxed atmosphere is also great for instructors. Being called upon to do informal counseling, referring and confidence building gives people with a nurturing personality the feeling of being really needed. Walking into the adult ed centre usually feels like home, of the non-dysfunctional kind. As well, I get to live my job. When I read the newspaper, relevant news and info to share with classes pop out at me. As I drive to work, CBC topics come up that are often perfect for discussion points in class. Dare I say it, the job is often fun. When my boys were young, they used to tease that my job consisted of make-believe shopping or banking. Sometimes that is true. Of course, on the down side, being a teacher sometimes feels like you never grew up for another reason: there is always homework. Continued on page 21
Would You Know if One of Your judgement. To check their privilege. Everyone is fighting a Students Was in Danger? battle that you know nothing Interview with a Transition about. That woman crying on the House Coordinator street may not have a place to sleep tonight. That lady who Continued from page 14 hasn’t showered in front of you in the grocery line may not have access to her children sending unwanted explicit anymore. Abuse in relationships pictures, constantly texting or has long impacting consequences going through your phone or that show up in many different tablet. There is spiritual abuse ways. Be kind everyday and be a where you cannot attend church good friend. Always. or temple or practice your beliefs. So much more often we are seeing elder abuse where adult If Groundwork members would children or grandchildren or other like to donate to the work of Jean Scott Transition house, is family members are taking there a website they can do so advantage of a senior. at? Do you see any common At this time we do not have a doconcerns arising among your community members or clients? nation website. But don’t let that stop you. Our office is located in Not necessarily among community Hope, BC at 400 Park St. where members or clients, but within the you can donate in cash or industry we are seeing much more cheque. We would love the help. abuse that comes from digital products. Abusers will stalk their Anything else you would like Groundwork readers to know? partners through smart home apps. Something as innocent as That BC has just recently your dryer sending you a introduced new rules to give notification that your laundry is done is being used against women victims of domestic or sexual in abusive ways. Abusers see it as violence up to five days of paid a way to harass their partners not leave. BC and Alberta are the only provinces in Canada without getting to the laundry quick enough, or asking why they have the legislation. ___________________________ left all the lights on in the house. Or if there are no lights on in the house why isn’t the woman If you know someone who needs at home. help BC211.ca is a great resource or you can call 211 from anywhere How would you encourage someone wanting to give back to in BC and they will connect you to the closest shelter or Transition their community with a safety House. If it is an emergency call for everyone focus? 911. I would encourage community ___________________________ members to hold their 18
Anna Gladue is a Transition House Coordinator in a small town in BC.
CREATING A SAFE SPACE FOR STUDENTS AT SCHOOL Keep resources on support in the community readily available (ie. A booklet on Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse) in the washroom. Remind visitors and family members of privacy laws that prevent you from sharing information of any kind regarding students should they be asking for information on the student’s whereabouts or progress. Keep student service numbers (ie. Phone numbers for counselling) on the wall and business cards for community services on surfaces for access to student pick-up. Refer students who remain at risk to student service programs designed to reach out and let students know of supports or options to meet up. Having drop-in times available to students to work on homework outside of their homes builds resiliency and a regular source of consistency, especially important in difficult living situations. Resources such as meals, school
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You may also reach out to us for assistance on any of the above topics at opentext@bccampus.ca
I'd like to end on a happy note. Recently, BCcampus was pleased to award Mary Shier, ABE instructor from College of the Rockies, the Award of Excellence in Open Education for her contributions to open education in ABE.
We feel the enormous challenges you are facing today and in the weeks to come. Please take care and we want you to know that BCcampus is here offer support and encouragement during this time. Krista Lambert, MEd Project Manager, Health, ECE & ABE ZTC Programs Email: klambert@bccampus.ca
If you’d like the jpeg of this infographic on the right to share with your students, email info@abeabc.ca
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CAREER PLANNING
Crafting A Retirement with Purpose— Interview with Gina Bennett retired on June 30 & moved to a new home 800 km away 3 days later. (I don't recommend this.) Nevertheless, my move did have a similar effect: it provided an abrupt change that made it clear to I did spend some time thinking about which parts of my job I liked me I had started a new phase of my life. best, which aspects I'd miss the most, & which I'd be happy to give 4. What practices have been most up. And I tried to think of things I beneficial in the transition? could do during retirement to get Getting to know my community more of what I liked, while was essential: coming up with an minimizing the types of activities I informal inventory of the various liked least. But I wouldn't describe clubs, recreational facilities, & it as a "strategy" so much as a opportunities for service outside of bungling, well-intentioned the academy. For many years the openness to whatever comes next. college community had been the 1. How would you describe your strategy for crafting a retirement with purpose and meaningful work in your own life?
can I continue to be useful? how do I want to play and continue to grow? 6. Do you see any common concerns arising among your community members? I've heard a number of people (myself included) worried about "keeping busy" during retirement. Turns out this is not a problem -if you WANT to be busy & are willing to involve yourself in the larger community, you WILL be busy. 7. How would you encourage someone wanting to plan for a fulfilling and engaging retirement?
focus of my life & I realized I really didn't know much about all the other ways to get involved, en- If by "fulfilling and engaging" you mean "continuing to exercise the tertained or socialized. a LOT. I loved my work at skills you have developed as an College of the Rockies & I was 5. What do you think ABE educator" then I would encourage really concerned about how I educators could use more of in people to start looking for would move forward in my life preparation for retirement? post-retirement ways to do this. without that focus, social circle, I'm sure this requires a very Of course, lots of people retire in a and routine. individualized response. stepwise manner, reducing the Retirement involves life changes length of their work-week over a 3. What would you advise on many fronts: vocational, period of several years. colleagues thinking of retiring? I would advise -- if you can afford recreational, financial, social. I felt But you might also contact your very well prepared for most of it by International Department or it -- to kick off your retirement with a retreat of some kind. Go for my union's pre-retirement educator support services (if you a trip somewhere or otherwise in- workshops & pension-planning have those departments) to see if seminars. Maybe some kind of sulate yourself from the familiar they might have some short-term for a couple of weeks, spend some workshop or short online course gigs for you in the future. would have been helpful, to get me time in a natural setting, go on a pilgrimage. I should mention that I thinking about the less "practical" issues: what do I want to do? how Continued on page 21 did not take this advice myself; I 2. How much pre-thought did you give retirement prior to retiring?
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CAREER PLANNING
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20— CRAFTING A RETIREMENT WITH PURPOSE And if you are an ABE educator who loves teaching, loves the learner group we work with, you might want to check out your local literacy organization, refugee or "new Canadian" service groups, or library. They are often crying for volunteers with your skill set. There are online opportunities as well: check out UNESCO's Open Education for a Better World (OE4BW), citizen science projects, Wikipedia.
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER READING & INSPIRATION WEALTH SIMPLE Get Rich Slow. Powerful tools to help you grow and manage your money. https://www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/
8. What are the considerations you would recommend?
CONTINUED FROM pg. 17 BEST CAREER EVER
[I've probably already answered this question in my wordy answers above!]
Retirement looms. As I reflect back, I remember a colleague who was in a questioning mood. He 9. Anything else you would like asked me what my dream job Groundwork readers to know? KEEP IT MOVING: LESSONS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE actually was. When I replied, Yes! So glad you asked ;-) Look “This is it,” he nearly fell off his after your health. If you are a full Advice on life and work from 78 desk. I urge new teachers to year old working choreographer -time educator, you are probably and dancer. From being creatively consider going into adult more sedentary than you think. education as a non-accidental brave to planning and executing Whether you are brand-new in your second and third acts; Tharp career. When I leave, I know I your career or only a year or two shines a light on the appealing am going to miss it like crazy. from retirement: get fit. road ahead. A refreshing read in a Retirement is a really sweet time if __________________________ world simultaneously obsessed you are healthy enough to enjoy with celebrating youth and early it. Andrea Eaton is an EAL instructor retirement. This book is about in BC. _______________________ neither. Gina is a post-secondary ABE Math instructor & online educational consultant and facilator in BC whose community volunteering interests also include rural economic health and family literacy.
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Art from canva
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