R e t I R E M E N t
In June , Karen Lind retired after a 24-year career with the University of Regina . Throughout her career , Karen sustained her passion for teaching with a commitment to innovation and collaboration . She seized opportunities to go beyond her comfort zone in subject and level familiarity , teaching at all levels ( elementary , middle , secondary and graduate classes ). Collaboration with colleagues was a highlight for Karen , especially this spring , when she was a copresenter with Val Mulholland at the European Association for Teachers of Academic Writing , which she says “ was a stellar moment ” in her career .
Throughout her career , Karen maintained a hectic schedule , teaching at First Nations University , SUNTEP , community-based programs at Cumberland College and NORTEP , and in the Faculty . Kathy Nolan , a colleague and friend , commented in her farewell speech , “ Frequently , I would spend almost the entire semester just trying to learn Karen ’ s teaching schedule .”
Karen ’ s first teaching assignment was with SUNTEP , which she says , “ sparked my enthusiasm and commitment to continue in a part time , albeit satisfying , role as a sessional lecturer .” After being appointed as an Instructor III , Karen had ongoing opportunities to teach a variety of courses in reading and writing methodology as well as children ’ s literature .
Karen believes the significance of the work of the Faculty of Education is that it “ goes beyond the building and the Regina setting in establishing roots in communities with Bachelor ’ s and Master ’ s programs such as the
Teacher Education Program in Nunavut .” She also appreciates the Faculty ’ s work with Campus for All . Karen says , “ Inclusion is a ‘ lived in ’ experience of faculty and students within the Faculty of Education .”
As part of her retirement plan , Karen has relocated to Cochrane , Alberta to be closer to extended family and lifelong friends from her home town of High River , Alberta . She has , in her words , “ assumed a coveted role as librarian ” for a ‘ Free Little Library ’ on the banks of the Bow River ( see photo ).
Another retirement plan includes achieving life balance , which means Karen has more time for yoga and a seasonal return trip to her Saskatchewan roots at Last Mountain Lake .
As advice to her colleagues , Karen quotes musician Tom Wilson , “ You have to stay young to get old ,” which she says applies to both her career aspirations and her retirement goals for purpose and longevity .
International Study Tour to Mexico continued from page 11 Resources through the Faculty of Education . Lopez also took on a TA role , working with Dr . Douglas Brown , Director of the Centre for International Education and Training ( CIET ), and Associate Professor with the Faculty of Education . Lopez says , “ In our first meeting , Dr . Brown said that he had been thinking about a study tour to Mexico with education students , and was there anything I could contribute to this ?” Lopez immediately contacted the university from which he had graduated : Univa . However , it had been 28 years since he had graduated from this university , so he had to develop new connections there . Lopez realized that this could be his master ’ s project , so after meeting with the appropriate people , including the CIET board ,
this course development became his graduate project . “ It took over a year to complete the project , and there was significant planning . There was an MOU signed by both universities , a necessary part of the development . It was unusual in that the project would eventually result in a course that would happen .” Now that Lopez has completed one study tour , he is revising some aspects for the next study tour . For instance , he plans to offer basic Spanish lessons to give students more ability to communicate with their host families and in their communities .
Plans are under way for a future study tour , provided it is supported by the appropriate decision makers . Dr . Douglas Brown , Director of CIET , who initially asked
Lopez to develop the Mexican study tour and who has a vision for future international study tours , says “ EFDN 498 advances the Faculty of Education ’ s mandate towards internationalization in responding to increasing levels of complexity in the educational field ... EFDN 498 is a cooperative project between CIET and the Dean ’ s Office ; the intension is to provide meaningful academic experiences for undergraduate education students . The Mexico Study Tour is just one example . Other locations have been considered for future tours . For example , Northeast Normal University ( Changchun , China ) has expressed interest in hosting such a tour . This venue is currently being reviewed for May , 2016 .”
Faculty of Education Education News Spring / Summer 2015 Page 23