Do you remember back in high school when you reached grade 11 or 12 and your teachers, friends and family started to ask: "What do you want to do when you grow up? What's your plan after high school?" Did any of us really have a definite answer at that point? I know I didn't. I was afraid I would disappoint my family if my response was "I don't know", but I didn't want to rush into anything and waste time and money I didn't have, so I found the courage and admitted I needed a little more time to figure it out. It was clear to anyone who knew me at the time that Art was a large part of my life and something I was very passionate about, and that becoming an Artist might be my "ideal path." While doing this would have made me happy, the logical and thoughtful side of me realized that life as an artist would mean a difficult and financially unstable future, which I was not interested in. So, I decided to spend an extra semester in high school, and explore more options before making a decision. I wasn't about to deny my love of art, so I thought long and hard about other careers that would allow my to peruse my passion, but would also provide financial security and job stability. On the list of options was teaching, so I enrolled in a co-operative education class and completed over 300 hours at a local middle school. It quickly became clear, not only to me, but those around me, that I had found something that I loved just as much as Art.
With a clear direction in mind, off I went applying to various Universities and visiting the campuses to really get a feel for where I would be spending my next 5 years. Only one of the universities really felt like "Home" to me, and that place was Brock University. Located on the Niagara escarpment in a town not to unlike my hometown, it's known for it's education program and it was perfect! Then came the waiting game; where would I get in, and would it be Brock? Well needless to say I was very disappointed to find out that I had messed up my application for the concurrent education at Brock and was not accepted. I did, however, get accepted to their Visual Arts Honour Program, which in the end happened to be the best thing! Enrolling in the undergrad program with the intention of completing my education degree afterward actually meant way more studio time, and allowed me to take a larger variety of courses, gaining more experience in different mediums. This meant that I was able to gather more information and experience to later pass onto my students. Another plus of being in the undergrad program first was all the incredible Artists that I was able to work with and that I met along the way. These Artists, many of which are now very good friends, helped to shape, not only my art practice through their guidance and critiques, but also impacted my personality and taught me lessons such as how to accept criticisms, find a balance between work and play, and how to enjoy the little victories. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to spend 4 solid years working alongside these Artists, and take great joy in seeing their successes following graduation. While my fellow undergrads were headed off into the world, I was still focused on further education; reapplying to Brock's education program, I was welcomed with open arms. After 4 years of my undergrad this new program was a refreshing change that brought with it a new and amazing group of people who while they learned alongside me, also taught me so much and made my year in teachers college a memorable one. I saw myself grow as both an educator and again as a person, learning just as much from my classmates as from my students and professors. So here's a toast to you, Brock's Secondary Consecutive Class of 2014. So here I am, done University, qualified to teach two subjects that I am very passionate about, but I have yet to mention my family who, without their love, guidance and support I would not be where I am today. Thinking back to being afraid to tell them "I don't know what I want to do after high school" seems foolish now because no matter what my decision may have been I now know that they would have stood behind me 100 percent. My Mother and Father have always encouraged me to follow my passions and do what makes me happy, and have graced me with all the skills and life lessons I needed along the way. I think my biggest fear was disappointing my Grandfather, who always told me that I had the skills and smarts to go on to be a doctor or a lawyer. He set the expectation bar high, but nothing made me happier than the day my mother told me how proud he was that I was the first person on his side of the family to get a University degree. I love that he, my other grandparents, and my Aunt and Uncle have taken such a great interest in my pursuit of Art and teaching. My family's continued support and encouragement carries me closer to my career goals each and every day.
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Candace BlackA story of my transition into teaching, and the educational tools and life lessons collected along the way. Archives
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