It’s the first year since I’ve been 4 years old—with the exception of one September when I was on maternity leave—that I haven’t been a student at, or employed by, a School District. The truth is, I always wanted to be an educator, and began working with students with special needs when I was about 14. The rest is history, and I’m so grateful to those who have mentored me in: creating recreation programs for disabled youth, learning the craft of teaching, diving into graduate work, learning the art of coaching, working at the Ministry of Education, delving into school leadership and being a supportive PLN! You are too many to name here, but you have helped me to serve so many students over the course of 30+ years and I deeply THANK YOU!
I love new beginnings, am energized by change, and the unknown excites me–mostly because of my passion to learn along with and from others, and the potential to build new connections along the way. This year, after retiring from my Vice-Principal role with the Upper Grand District School Board in June, I’m a freelance educator, and feeling amazing gratitude for the wonderful career I’ve had so far, and lots of excitement for the adventures yet to come with opportunities to continue serving students and educators.
There is always that wondering about whether the time is right for change, but it gets easier for me as I get to know myself better and notice that jumping into new things seems to be my pattern, and it seems to work out quite well for me. It also helps that in this political climate newer teachers need the jobs right now, my family is supportive, I want to spend some valuable time helping my Mom and Dad stay healthy and independent, and my kids seem happily launched—for the time being anyway! 🙂
I’ll be continuing to share my learning here on the blog, and will also be sharing the work that I’m doing with various organizations—some that I can share below and some to come a bit later!
- Code To Learn with Taking IT Global – looking forward to continuing the work!
- Minds on Media – Watch for some new opportunities for Ontario teachers that Peter Skillen and I are developing!
- Learning Forward Ontario – Engaged in Professional Learning in your role? Join us for Professional Learning events and resources
- Connected North and TakingITGlobal
I’m hugely excited to join the team at TakingITGlobal (TIG), as one of the Part-Time Education Coordinators with Connected North! I’ll be supporting a school in the Yukon Territory and one in Nunavut, as well as supporting the School Leaders involved with Connected North. Check out connectednorth.org for more information about the program or watch the video here to get an overview!
TIG has so many ventures that might interest you, even if you aren’t an educator in the North—Project Based Learning, Global Collaboration Projects, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), empowering youth for social innovation and entrepreneurship, student grants, arts projects…there is something for everyone! Oh…and did I mention…FREE! 🙂 I’ll be sharing more as a learn more, and please reach out if you have any questions. You might want start here at TIGed to browse around: https://www.tigweb.org/tiged/
In the coming months this blog will serve as a way that people can connect with me should there be a project or mission you would like to explore together. For now though, we can also connect through twitter @brendasherry, LinkedIn or my email if you happen to have that!
Enjoy a great start to the school year and I hope you don’t have too many first day jitters!
Learning Zone 
I’m excited for you and your new beginning, Brenda. I, too, am beginning a new adventure – I’m moving from teaching J/I to (mostly) Primary. I hope my grade 2s and I have a good first day! Best wishes to all my fellow educators 🙂
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What a lovely testament to the end of one career and a look forward to other in your future. I hope that all of your plans come through as you plan, Brenda. Best wishes.
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