I'm from Truro, Nova Scotia, and completed a Diploma in Plant Science technology at the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College (now Dalhousie University's Faculty of Agriculture) in 2008. In 2011, I attended Mount Saint Vincent University and completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in French Language and minor in History, then completed a Bachelor of Education degree there in 2013. In 2021, I went back to Mount Saint Vincent University for their Master of Education (Curriculum Studies) program. 

What motivated you to pursue a graduate degree at UPEI? In other words, why did you choose to study here?

In my role as an instructional coach, I wanted to study more about leadership in education. UPEI's Master of Education in Leadership in Learning program checked those boxes, and adding a focus in Inclusive Education would help support my coaching in alignment with Nova Scotia’s Inclusive Education Policy, which was released in 2019 and effective as of September 2020.

How have you found the content of your graduate courses relevant to your professional work?

The coursework I completed during my time in the MEd program at UPEI was very relevant to my work as an instructional coach. It allowed me to integrate best practice leadership and inclusion principles into the curriculum-based support that I offer teachers in my region.

"The small cohort and strong connections with the instructors, many of whom still currently work in the public education system, made the work relevant, meaningful and useful to apply to the real career situations I was living—as we studied while working full-time."

Describe the supports you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and faculty members.

The instructors and staff at UPEI's Faculty of Education and Faculty of Graduate Studies were always available to support anything I needed throughout my coursework. I also had an extremely positive experience with Accessibility Services at UPEI. They helped me navigate the process of getting resources to support my learning needs throughout my time studying through UPEI.

What's unique about your program, UPEI, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?

The small cohort and strong connections with the instructors, many of whom still currently work in the public education system, made the work relevant, meaningful, and useful to apply to the real career situations I was living—as we studied while working full-time.

Doing an MEd in Leadership in Education through UPEI helped solidify my goals of supporting my colleagues through instructional coaching.

What skills or knowledge did you gain during your studies that you feel will be most beneficial in your career?

Having had the opportunity to study the education system through so many different lenses at UPEI helped me learn new skills and ways of viewing education so that I can support teachers in a meaningful and relevant way in today’s learning environments.

What advice would you give to new UPEI graduate students?

The staff and faculty in UPEI's Faculty of Graduate Studies are always willing to help—if you need support, all you have to do is ask. I always felt supported during my grad studies, and I never felt that the coursework wasn’t relevant to my career.