Jenelle Guichon

We all have come into this program and career path with a variety of experiences, and while we are now in the same place with a common goal, we bring with us these different experiences. These experiences are what have shaped each of us as individuals, contributed to our strengths, weaknesses, values, and they often make very interesting stories. Here is mine:

I grew up in Delta, BC, where I attended Delta Secondary. As a teenager, I played competitive sports such as ice hockey and show jumping. These constituted my passions at this age, along with music and popular culture. In school I was interested, but not passionate, about my studies. I found the curriculum to be a little boring and had difficulty finding connections between what we were learning in class, and what I held as valuable or useful knowledge. When I did have classes that appealed to this standard I held of learning, I was incredibly passionate and loved learning. Post graduation, I moved to Victoria and soon fell in love with learning again, studying mainly in the Geography and environmental studies departments. While I dipped around different faculties and disciplines through out my education (notably economics, psychology, and a lot of random classes), my heart was always in Geography, especially political geography/geographies of power and inequality, and environmental sustainability. These topics always struck me as interesting because they are empowering and progressive.

After I graduated from UVic with a BA in Geography and minor in Environmental Studies in the winter of 2014, I felt a deep sense of uncertainty. I was not fully sure what my future held, and spent some time trying to figure that out. I moved back to Delta to be closer to my friends and family, and over the (almost) 3 years, I explored my options. I worked a variety of jobs during this time including as a bank teller, server and manager of a restaurant, and cashier at a small family owned business. I travelled rather extensively, with highlights including a Safari in Tanzania, sipping wine & eating ridiculously good food in Italy, surfing & experiencing the beautiful beaches in Australia, island hopping and scuba diving in south east Asia, exploring the rich history of Cambodia, and amazing architecture and breathtaking beaches in Croatia. During this period, I also developed a number of passions that have played a fundamental role in who I am today. Travelling, obviously, is high on that list. However, I also experienced a personal transformation whereby I became more in tune with myself and personal growth. These changes occurred when I began practicing yoga frequently, as well as adopting a plant based diet and educating myself on issues that I value as important. These lifestyle changes were crucial for me to be able to determine my deepest held values, and what I desire from my life, including my career.

Through out my working history, I got to know myself relatively well on a professional level and developed a sense of what I wanted from a potential life-long career. These "non-negotiables," career wise, were I need a career I truly care about, and where  I could make a difference in society. I love the culture of education, as it is a growth focussed system. Additionally, I knew I needed a career that would be dynamic, active, and overall, stimulating. Teaching is all of these things and more, and being in this program has illustrated just how much there is to learn as an educator. I am so excited and feel incredibly grateful to be on this journey, and am very happy to share my story.

Here is a link to my Education Pinterest page, where I can store helpful ideas that I may want to remember and use later :) 

https://www.pinterest.ca/jenelleguichon/education/