On January 12, 2009 I began my full-time career as a teacher in the Abbotsford School District. I had completed the PDP program at Simon Fraser University the previous year.
January 12, 2023. That’s today. That’s today. I remember when I was at the University of Calgary studying chemistry back in the 90s. I had no idea where the work I was doing at that time would take me. You can see a video about me talking about my journey as a chemist and then becoming a teacher from 2013 in the about me section of this website.I had no idea where the work I was doing at that time would take me. You can see a video about me talking about my journey as a chemist and then becoming a teacher from 2013 in the about me section of this website.I am grateful for, the amazing opportunities that I’ve been afforded me. I am thankful for stepping into opportunities, and even though they may be difficult and challenging, I know that they have meeting in value to our community of learners.
what am I doing today that I did not anticipate when I started teaching? Teaching media design and digital literacy was not in my view as I started teaching in 2009 I went to my first district pro de of shared learning which was held at recounts in secondary school in 2009. I was amazed at watching these professional presenters, whom I learned were regular classroom teachers, share their learning and their sessions. In my first year, I felt quite overwhelmed with the task of preparing lessons, marking and being simply a leader in my classroom. I couldn’t imagine presenting at a pro D. as I became comfortable in my role as a teacher, I found that I needed a way to share my own learning and begin presenting in 2014 at the digital learning symposium in Vancouver. I submitted a proposal for a session and you excepted. my very first session was about going paper, light and using an iPad to do my marking. That was the beginning of an opportunity that I did not anticipate would take me into the rule as a district helping teacher for technology. While the helping teacher I grew in my understanding of presenting, cross paths with a EdTech Team Canada and started to grow my brand as Bryon Carpenter.

professional development has been an important part of my growth as a teacher. I have learned over my time at six days a professional development are not sufficient for me to grow my craft. I have taken to going to conferences outside of the district allocated pro D, which is actually more of a requirement for my employment, to taking in professional development nearly every day, as I listen to podcasts about education, teacher stories, and educational technology. FreshAirAtFive, my podcast was birthed out of my need to share my reflections, and to document them for myself, and to have a means of getting exercise on a regular basis. You can read about the origin story a FreshAirAtFive in another blog article here.

Where am I going as I enter my 15th year of teaching? I’m going to work and I’m going to affect the future of students by being a positive role model for them. My current position is teacher in The Abbotsford School district. I don’t plan on changing that rule. I am thankful for the direction and confidence that God has given me to be right where I am today. I am a leader in my profession I am a leader at my school. I am a leader in my classroom and I am thankful for the direction and confidence that God has given me to be right where I am today. I am a leader in my profession I am a leader at my school. I am a leader in my classroom. I can’t tell you where I will be in five years or 10 but I can tell you that I will be right where I am meant to be. Opportunities will present themselves and I will walk into those and also will walk past some others and I will walk into those and also will walk past some others.

I am thankful to be a teacher. I am thankful for my past as a chemist and student that has brought me to this point. I am thankful for my past as a chemist and student that has brought me to this point.

Thanks for reading as I reflect on this day, is the anniversary of my first day of teaching in 2009.