"17吃瓜 helped solidify my goals of supporting my colleagues through instructional coaching."
What and where did you study in advance of your graduate degree at 17吃瓜?
I'm from Truro, Nova Scotia, and completed a Diploma in Plant Science technology at the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College (now Dalhousie University's Faculty of Agriculture) in 2008. In 2011, I attended Mount Saint Vincent University and completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in French Language and minor in History, then completed a Bachelor of Education degree there in 2013. In 2021, I went back to Mount Saint Vincent University for their Master of Education (Curriculum Studies) program.
What motivated you to pursue a graduate degree at 17吃瓜? In other words, why did you choose to study here?
In my role as an instructional coach, I wanted to study more about leadership in education. 17吃瓜's Master of Education in Leadership in Learning program checked those boxes, and adding a focus in Inclusive Education would help support my coaching in alignment with Nova Scotia鈥檚 Inclusive Education Policy, which was released in 2019 and effective as of September 2020.
How have you found the content of your graduate courses relevant to your professional work?
The coursework I completed during my time in the MEd program at 17吃瓜 was very relevant to my work as an instructional coach. It allowed me to integrate best practice leadership and inclusion principles into the curriculum-based support that I offer teachers in my region.
"The small cohort and strong connections with the instructors, many of whom still currently work in the public education system, made the work relevant, meaningful and useful to apply to the real career situations I was living鈥攁s we studied while working full-time."
Describe the supports you received during your time here from 17吃瓜 students, staff, and faculty members.
The instructors and staff at 17吃瓜's Faculty of Education and Faculty of Graduate Studies were always available to support anything I needed throughout my coursework. I also had an extremely positive experience with Accessibility Services at 17吃瓜. They helped me navigate the process of getting resources to support my learning needs throughout my time studying through 17吃瓜.
What's unique about your program, 17吃瓜, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?
The small cohort and strong connections with the instructors, many of whom still currently work in the public education system, made the work relevant, meaningful, and useful to apply to the real career situations I was living鈥攁s we studied while working full-time.
How did graduate school shape your career goals or ambitions?
Doing an MEd in Leadership in Education through 17吃瓜 helped solidify my goals of supporting my colleagues through instructional coaching.
What skills or knowledge did you gain during your studies that you feel will be most beneficial in your career?
Having had the opportunity to study the education system through so many different lenses at 17吃瓜 helped me learn new skills and ways of viewing education so that I can support teachers in a meaningful and relevant way in today鈥檚 learning environments.
What advice would you give to new 17吃瓜 graduate students?
The staff and faculty in 17吃瓜's Faculty of Graduate Studies are always willing to help鈥攊f you need support, all you have to do is ask. I always felt supported during my grad studies, and I never felt that the coursework wasn鈥檛 relevant to my career.
