We All Started as a Student
My approach is best portrayed by the phenomenon of the parallax view: the apparent change in an object caused by the movement of the observer.
The primary challenge in education is being able to think as though you don't know something that you are an expert on, so as to understand the possible paths between these two places. A key component in this is empathy.
As the saying goes, there are no stupid questions.
More than a saying, its a mindset that allows me to listen deeply and appreciate multiple perspectives, meet people wherever they happen to be and forge a clear path forward.
I could not describe myself and my work without talking about music, which has always been intertwined with education. Starting with tagging along with my grandma as she gave piano lessons to kids in rural northern Ontario, through being the peer tutor in my highschool’s guitar class, to leading the jazz combo during my undergrad, the two have been inseparable. It has been my primary avenue for empowering and uplifting others to reach their goals.
Unable to resist the urge to be a jack of all trades, I play and teach guitar, drums and bass to an advanced level, piano to an intermediate level and knowledge of just about every instrument family. Add to that experience in recording and production of both audio and video.
After all is said and done, I draw from a wide breadth of experiences and skills and bring them to bear in my work on a daily basis, getting out of my own head and into the mindset of someone pursuing knowledge and trying to grow. Something I am constantly doing as well, because we never really stop being a student.
Finding this path requires an appreciation for depth and detail. I’ve always been inclined to sweat the small stuff, which came in handy in places like the restaurant industry, music and academia. All places where the details really matter. Cutting my teeth in commercial kitchens gave me the grit, work ethic and endurance to take the heat (instead of getting out of the kitchen).
Being a performer taught me the commitment and discipline needed to build a set of skills and put them into action in high pressure situations while staying calm, cool and collected even when things don't go as planned.
Completing a Master’s degree in education introduces the cutting edge of educational theory and practice into the mix. The rigor of academia requires both deep understanding and effective communication of the most effective approaches in education.
Combined, these competences provide the ability to take intricate and specialized concepts and create accessible pathways to understanding.