Jordy's Question: Should I become a teacher?

Last week, while away on a flight in London, I received a question from Jordy, a student whom I taught on my first teaching assignment overseas. Although I haven't seen this little girl since she was five, we still keep in touch and she has trusted me to ask for some guidance in regards to the direction of her future career. Enjoy everyone.


Monday, July 27th at 519am:

Hello Clara!

very very sorry if it's late there but I was considering becoming a teacher when I finish school and was wondering if you enjoyed it? Just been thinking about it a lot lately. I think the idea of helping people and being there for them is something that attracts me. Especially because teachers have been significant in my life.



Dear Jordy,

I am very happy that you've reached out to ask me this question. Who better to ask than your former kindergarten teacher? ha!

I did enjoy teaching, especially engaging students in learning through real life experiences and hands on learning. Some of the activities that I've introduced to my students include taking them outside to practice drawing from observation, games in PE where everyone is included and constantly moving and teaching kids how to dance at a young age. My teaching philosophy has always been to help students develop their social and emotional learning in addition to their academic learning. This means that I help them develop skills to express their emotions in healthy ways (journal writing, drawing, squeezing silly putty in their hand instead of punching their neighbor and taking a breather by just getting up and leaving the room).

I have to say, Jordy, that not everyone has been supportive of my philosophies, but they are mine and they have worked with many of my students. It's always heart warming to see my kids smiling and happy and I know they enjoy my open mindedness. If you decide to pursue this path, you too will develop your own teaching philosophies. They are your own and often, are developed over time through reflecting on your teaching practices.

It sounds like the teachers that you have had so far played a BIG role in your life. I'm wondering if a few of the were role models for you too. I'm happy to share with you that my teachers and counselors also influenced me greatly. It is one of the reasons why I became a teacher/counselor and have wanted to do so since age 11.

When it comes to career, my suggestion to you is to do something you love. Something that really *ATTRACTS* you.  You are still very young, so your career choice may change and so they should. Things happen. Your life changes or a major incident happens in your life that helps shapes your career goals. For example, I have a friend who became a police officer after having experienced a personal violation as a child. She wanted to make sure young girls were taught to be assertive and to stand up for themselves when boundaries were crossed.

So Jordy, remember, to stay true to yourself. Your career is your choice. It's not your parents choice (I am not telling you not to listen to your parents, okay?), not your sibling's choice and money has little to do with it. You obviously have to be making some sort of a healthy income but don't go being a doctor just for the money.

To help guide you to your career, continuously ask yourself these exploration questions at every stage of your life. These questions looks at a few things, such as values, interests, skills and the significant others in your life.  Remember, they may change through time.

1. What is important to you?
2. What are your dreams? (They can become a reality)
3. What activities do you like to do?
4. What are you really good at?
5. Do you have a career in mind? If yes, what is it that you like about that specific career?
6. What do you really care about?
7. Who have you spoken to about your career options?
8. What kind of subjects are you interested in? What makes these subjects interesting?
9. What careers/subjects would you like to learn more about?
10. Where do you see yourself in five to ten years in terms of career?
11. What do you like to do in your free time?


I hope this helps Jordy :) Stay in touch.

Stories from the Jumpseat #1: Objections to interracial relationship no roadblock for couple married for 40 years. East Van occupational therapist based in the UK keeps friendships alive despite distance.

Earlier this weekend, luck would have it that my jumpseat was positioned in front of three interesting people: Ashwyn and Kathy who have been married for 40 years and Ritchie, an occupational therapist from East Vancouver who is now based in the UK.

Here's the conversation:

*taxing on runway*

Me: *fastens four point seatbelt* "So! *looks at Ashwyn, Kathy and Ritchie* were you all on vacation in Vancouver?"

Ashwyn: "Yes, our fifth time in Vancouver. We love it here. Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte Islands.....

Kathy: *smiles and looks up occasionally from her newspaper*

*plane climbs to leveling altitude*

Me: "And you sir?" *looks over at Ritchie*

Ritchie: "My sister got married. I haven't been home to Vancouver for five years!"

Me: "Wow! Sounds like you all had fun here. I wanna hear more.*seatbelt sign turns off * Hang tight, I'll be right back! I'm Clara by the way."

So much for conversing with Ashwyn, Kathy and Ritchie for the duration of the flight. However, I resumed where we all left off just prior to descent into London England. 

*does seatbelt checks and fastens self back to jumpseat after nine hours of inflight service*

Me: *looks at all three passengers* "Well, how did everyone enjoy the flight??"

Ashwyn: "It was definitely a good ending to our anniversary trip!"

Me: *looks at Kathy and Ashwyn* Omg, how long have you guys been married for?

Ashwyn and Kathy: *both looking at each other* It'll be 40 years as of July 9!

Me: *notices Ritchie raising his eyebrows* "WOW, well, how did you two meet?"

Kathy: "In university actually. I was the secretary and Ashwyn was studying for his pharmacology degree."

Me; "oh, a drug dealer, I see!" Legitimate of course! *everyone around vicinity chuckles* So did both of you know you were right for each other from the beginning?"

Kathy: "Well, Clara, I was only 16 when I met Ashwyn and he was 20. So there was an age difference there.

Ashwyn: "Ahem, actually, I had just turned 21 when I met you."

Me: "Oh, that doesn't matter! *waves hands* love is love. Did your parents object to this aspect of the relationship? What did they think?"

Kathy: *looks over at Ashwyn* Well, it was the wrong color, Clara.

Me: *widens eyes* oh my gosh, pardon? *takes me a few seconds to realize what Kathy meant*

Ashwyn: *nods sadly* My parents weren't supportive of us being together. We of course, as you can tell, come from different cultural backgrounds."

Me: "My gosh, I honestly did not even notice. So your parents didn't want you two together because......because of skin colour??

Kathy and Ashwyn: *both nodding and looking at each other* "It was difficult, but we stuck through it."

Me: "Honestly, true love is colour blind. I can't imagine choosing a significant other based on the skin colour we have in common. This is just crazy. I mean, on the list of requirements...skin colour shouldn't even be on the list!!

Ashwyn: "It was difficult Clara. Challenging your parents back in the day to be with the love of your life. Back then you see, there were not alot of interracial relationships.

Me: Well, I'm so glad both of you ended up together. I guess true love does rise to the top doesn't it? :)

Ashwyn and Kathy: *squeezes hands* yeah.


Me: *looks over at Ritchie* What about you? When are you returning to East Van!

Ritchie: "Man, I dunno. I miss my friends big time. They all threw me this bbq on Friday. Man.....I miss Asian food so much. Ate out everyday I was here. Sushi, stir fry, wontons, more sushi...*laughs*

Me: "Well, when do you think you will be back?! "

Ritchie: "Maybe after two more years. I wanna travel Europe a bit more".

Me: *tightens seatbelt as plane touches down* *gives Ritchie a high five from jumpseat* Well, you'll be back. There's so much health care careers in Vancouver.


Well, there you have it, a conversation from my jumpseat. A couple married for 40 years despite parental objections and an East Van boy keeping friendships alive from halfway across the world. 

The starting line at Renfrew Library.

Hello everyone,

Yesterday, with a tupperware full of fried rice in my hands courtesy of mom, I decided to make a pit stop at Renfrew public library. As I strolled between the aisles, I noticed that the self-help/counselling section had been moved from the original location.

A few aisles later, I found it. The collection is different now but the main themes are still there....books addressing topics such as grief and loss, relationships between men and women, the challenges and differences in raising boys and girls and fostering self esteem in girls.

THIS library is where I found myself at 6th grade, reading on topics such as those listed above vowing to become a counsellor in the future.

Twenty years later, its becoming a reality. Thank you so much to everyone who helped me achieve this goal and for their continual support.

"We just love each other so much" (July 9, 2015)

As a flight attendant, I meet a ton of people. For me, the most heartwarming ones come from those who have been happily married for years. Here's another inflight story from the "inflight counsellor".

*midflight during galley patrol*

As I sashayed my way down the aisle on the prowl for happily married couples, I came upon *Angela and *John. Observing as I passed by, I noticed them laughing at the inflight entertainment and holding hands.

Naturally, I stopped by at their seats, asked how they are enjoying the flight and commented on how happy they seemed to be. I asked, "My gosh, how long have you been married for?!"

Angela says that it will be 51 years as of October 2015. I yelped in joy and clasped my hands together. Uninhibited, I asked Angela and John what the key to a successful marriage was.

Angela looks at John with sparkles in her eyes..."Well, dear, we just love each other so much!".

If I were a fortune cookie.........

"If anxious about the future, pay attention to the present"