From July 20-29, I had the privilege and the opportunity to visit the region off BC's Northern Coast known as Haida Gwaii (Islands of the Haida and for a while known as the Queen Charlotte Islands). With two fabulous hosts and seven other educators, including my sister, Evangeline, and Koenraad Beugelink, Faith Formation Director, [...]
At age 44, I fulfilled one my childhood dreams. I became a schoolteacher. It’s not that I needed something to fill the oodles of extra time I had on hand (insert winky face) or that I was lacking a challenge in my marketing career path. It’s just that I’ve always wanted to be a teacher [...]
The age-old question: “How was your spring break?” I’ve decided to go with the “It was a nice change of pace” response. Suzanne and I contemplated a trip to warmer places but decided to be responsible adults and save money. We are looking to buy a “new- to-me” truck in the future. It was a sound [...]
“I’m sorry, but we’re not going to offer you the position.” Defeated. Disappointed. Those were two feelings that flooded my thinking when I found out I wasn’t going to be a Residence Advisor during my fourth year of post-secondary studies. There was no plan B! The house I was renting wasn’t going to be an [...]
I had the “unfortunate” opportunity to join an illustrious club this summer. A special shout out to the senior members out there! I joined the “blow- your-trailer-tire-club.” My family and I were making the annual trek out to Bear Creek Provincial Park up the Coquihalla highway with our tent trailer and 2006 Nissan Quest minivan. [...]
Sunday November 28, 2021: My heart is so heavy. I’m at the Matsqui fire hall for the same reason as I was two weeks ago. The real threat of flood threatens to undo all the progress towards recovery made in the past week. I keep praying God would hold back the rains and the rivers. [...]
Recently I underwent day surgery and spent a week recovering at home. Given the nature of my recovery I knew I had to be very intentional about taking time away from work so that I could physically recover and be ready to go the following week. I prepped the staff, set up an email autoreply, [...]
One morning I was heading into separate setting with a group of students to write a math test…what a way to start the day. As the test went on, I realized I was getting the undeserved cold shoulder from one student who usually was personable and receptive to support. He barely made eye contact, didn’t [...]
This has been a difficult start to the school year (I know…what a great first blog post, Mike…but I was told vulnerability is okay). For many of us the last 18 months have been hard. There have been times when I’ve wondered if I’m the right person ACS needs during this challenging pandemic. Last year [...]
My interactions with John Atsma, site superintendent for Fricia Construction, are usually two-fold: sometimes he stops by my office, or I give him a call. However, our conversations are rarely dull. Here are a few examples: “John, did you guys turn the water off? None of the taps work in the school.” “Mike, we need [...]
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