Eric felt overwhelmed as he started a new year and the start of a new life. There was a lot to do, which kept his mind off the fact he was currently alone in his first house. Between all the new house preparations and looking for housemates, going back to university (University of Alberta) came quicker than Eric realized.
In no time Eric had made a few new school friends who were also doing an education after degree; Alex, Alana, Cynthia and Wanda. Slowly he got the rooms in his house rented out; Chris moved in in September, Jorge immigrating from Mexico, in October, and Mick from Australia, on a work visa (though he had been in Edmonton for a while before joining the house), in November.
School took a little while to get back into the swing of things, though luckily Eric felt quite capable in his four education required courses: EDIT 202 Technology Tools for Teaching and Learning was a breeze for Eric as the fundamentals of the course were concepts, knowledge and computer skills he already had. In the end Eric got top marks (A) in the course. He also got top marks (A) in EDU 250 The Profession of Teaching, in part due to his research paper on Traditional to Discovery-based Teaching Methodology; The Relevance of Pedagogical Reforms in Modern Society? Eric found the third purely education course somewhat dry, and only got a B+ in that course; EDPY 200 Education Psychology for Teaching. Despite his engineering background Eric still had to take a geometry course, MATH 241 Geometry, which he found interesting and enjoyable as it was more the theories and some history of geometry, something he had not learned. His interest in the course, which being theory based was difficult, earned him a B+.
Eric also took one option for the fall term, one that he chose not from pure interest, but from practical interest. He choose his education degree to be in secondary education with a major in general science (with a specialization in physics), and a minor in math (hence the required geometry class). Since no biology course was required, the math course was the only required course directly related to his specializations, he decided to take an introductory biology course; BIO 108 Introduction to Biological Diversity. Although he found it interesting, it had been about 12 years since his last biology course, and the majority of the class were first year university students (having done their previous biology course within the past couple years). Needless to say he persevered and managed to pull off a C+.
Also during this time Eric got involved in a couple volunteer organizations; assisting in the Education Students' Association and a Study Buddy program. The Study Buddy program was helping out a grade 5/6 special needs class once a week at Balwin School.
Christmas break was a time to relax slightly and enjoy family and friends; Christmas with family and New Years Eve with friends. But Eric was soon back to his studies, with an increased workload as the winter semester courses were condensed to 9 weeks to allow for a 5 week teaching practicum. Eric took the standard Introductory Professional Term (IPT) courses; EDPS 310 Managing the Learning Environment, EDPY 301 Inclusive Education: Adapting Instruction for Students with Special Needs, EDPY 303 Educational Assessment, and EDSE 337 Curriculum and Teaching for Secondary School Mathematics Minors, with EDFX 350 Secondary Route Field Experience for the Introductory Professional Term as the teaching practicum itself.
Eric thoroughly enjoyed the management course, the instructor Ms. Shewchuk was very approachable and had informative lessons, and she asked for a copy of his paper on Personal Reflection on Classroom Management From a Pre-Service Student Teacher Perspective for her own files. Eric was most willing to provide a copy, considering he got an A- in the course. The two EDPY courses were a struggle for Eric, one (inclusion) due to the boring nature of the course, and the way it was taught, the other (assessment) in the amount of material presented, which was overwhelming and seemed to be more than what the time would allow. In the end Eric managed to get a C+ in EDPY 301, and a B in EDPY 303. Despite Eric's enjoyment and interest in the math curriculum class, his end mark fell between the EDPY courses, with a B-. He learned about new ways of presenting math and had the opportunity to use a SmartBoard (interactive whiteboard) in the math class, and had fun working with his fellow Mathematics Minor classmates.
Despite all this preparation, Eric was not entirely ready for his actual teaching of Grade 7 & 8 (ages 12-14) math at Steele Heights Junior High; mostly in his classroom management abilities. However with the guidance of his mentor teacher Mr. Sheehan, he learned a few tricks, and managed to make it thought the five weeks. The first week Eric observed not only Mr. Sheehan's class and teaching style, but other teachers in the school. This observation week was followed by the last two weeks of campus studies with exams. In the second week at Steele Heights Eric started teaching the grade 7s; a little rocky, but as this was his first time actually teaching, it passed without major issues.
The following week was spring break and Eric took the opportunity to visit friends in Calgary, and attend the Jewish Gay Wedding of his friends Ben and Scott. The next two weeks (teaching week 3 and 4) bridged Easter. Over these weeks expectations grew, and Eric continued lesson planning and teaching not only the grade 7s, but now the grade 8s. The last week Eric experienced more of the full gambit, including one day when Mr. Sheehan had meetings and put Eric in charge of a couple grade 9 math classes; under the supervision of a substitute teacher of course.
With the school year over, Eric had expected to return to HFP Acoustical Engineering, however in discussions with Les, as Eric's practicum started, he learned there was no work for him for the summer. So Eric decided to speed up his studies and registered in spring and summer courses, obtaining consent to take a full course load over the spring term; 3 courses: CLASS 102 Greek and Roman Mythology, DRAMA 149 Dramatic Process I, and EDPY 442 Introduction to Counselling. Eric chose his courses on interests, as there were options.
Eric selected Greek and Roman Mythology as his English credits since he felt he had a decent background in the myths from his earlier school studies, and a general interest in the subject. Despite his confidence and interest, as well as a respectable mark on his paper which transposed the Icarus myth into a science fiction story, he only obtained a C+.
After his involvement in a touring Fringe show in the summer of 2007, Eric had grown more curious about drama and theatre, even though he had taken drama courses in his teens. The concepts of performance improvisation presented in the course description intrigued him. Eric's interest in Drama showed through, as well as his enjoyment in being in the class, for he got a B+.
As part of his education courses Eric was required to choose options within the education faculty. Counselling was one thing people had commented to him as a possible career. Eric decided to learn more though a course, and a spring (shorter) course was a good chance. Eric enjoyed the course, and learned a great deal about counselling, and skills he could transfer to teaching and everyday life. His hard work earned him a B.
By far Eric's most enjoyable, and fun, course was his interim summer course; offered between spring and summer sessions, but counted as a summer course; EDCT 400 Robotics & Learning: Constructionism in Practice; Introduction to Lego Dacta Robotics. A whole week playing with Lego and getting a robot to perform simple, then more complicated tasks and mazes (videos available here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ericmj77 ), which wound their way to a B.
During these past few months of schooling, his practicum and spring courses, a few minor events of note happened in Eric's life. Jorge, one of his tenants and housemates, moved out; buying a house for himself and his parents. This left a room open for his friend Zack to move in upon getting a job back in Edmonton. Over the May long weekend, a break from classes, Eric took a short trip to Ottawa for the intimate wedding of his cousin Paul to Tiffany, and to see his extended family.
Eric had intended on taking the required course EDPS 410 Ethics and Law in Teaching in the summer, however as fortune should happen, he received a call from HFP Acoustical Engineering as they had a project that he could work on, dedicating his time completely to it. Weighing the option between paying for the course or earning money for what would become another year, as opposed to just a semester, of school, Eric opted to earn the money. And for seven weeks, from July to August, Eric moved to Calgary and stayed with his friends Ben and Scott. It was convenient that Eric was back at HFP for this time, as APEGGA (Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta) wanted him to apply for his P.Eng. (professional engineering designation), or cease being a member-in-training. The time over the summer ensured Eric had enough experience.
As Eric's job starts to near its end, and this chapter too, we come upon that theatrical festive time of the year; the Fringe. This year Eric was able to volunteer for both Calgary and Edmonton Fringes, making it his second time volunteering for Calgary (2006 being his first), and the 18th year since his first time volunteering at the Edmonton Fringe. Both fringes were a marvel to Eric, with him seeing around 40 performances at the Edmonton Fringe, and an extra special encounter in Calgary; meeting Sean.
Eric met Sean on his first day of volunteering at the Calgary Fringe. Their relationship is best expressed in poetry:
The Muse*
I could feel the moment I saw you
A deep connection that penetrated through and through
The more we got to know each other
The more my soul ached for us to be closer
They say one never forgets their first kiss
Yet with you it was the first hug that filled me with bliss
You hugged my body mind and soul
And I wished you would never let go
A longing filled my heart
As I knew we would have to part
I cherished every moment with you
And my senses of the world grew
Connections and inspiration blossomed within me
For being with you drives me to be the best I can be
A yearning to pursue my passions full on
Consumed me after our first day of conversation
Four days was all the time we spent together
But the emotional and spiritual feelings will last forever
Our walks and talks were filled with magic
And our farewell was truly romantic
All that we have said and done I hold in my heart
For only fate knows how long we are to be apart
Even if we should never meet again
You are my muse and inspiration
The week Eric was with Sean he truly learned that love has no boundaries, and romance comes in the little things. Eric had to return to Edmonton for his studies, Sean to Ottawa for his. Friendship was the extent of their relationship upon parting.
*By Hugh Kemeny, based on Eric’s four days with Sean.
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