As Dr. Bonnie Henry says, "Be kind, be calm, and be safe" that's what I have been doing during the pandemic. Keeping myself safe, and focusing on what is important. This post is about how I have been spending my time between my work and my studies.
First off, in June 2020, MCM Facilitation & Training contracted with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to facilitate the virtual delivery of Living Life to the Full (LLTTF) https://livinglifetothefull.ca. LLTTF is an introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Taking an onsite (classroom) course and putting it online is no easy undertaking. However, CMHA BC staff worked hard on the format, and I worked hard on the delivery by mastering how to use Zoom. This week, I'm about to start my 8th virtual delivery, including two pilot courses for people with disabilities and a faith-based adaptation. I've delivered the training to over 150 since I became a certified LLTTF facilitator in 2018. I believe that LLTTF is even more important now that people are feeling overwhelmed and isolated with the pandemic.
For the month of August, I was fortunate to go on retreat to Tahsis https://www.travel-british-columbia.com/vancouver-island-the-gulf-islands/north-central-vancouver-island/tahsis I delivered the LLTTF courses from our trailer, volunteered in the community, read four books, cooked and ate great meals, fished, kayaked, walked, and spent quality time with my husband, Ron, and our two dogs, Bentley and Leo. It was just what I needed before I started back to school.
Speaking of which, in September I started in the Vancouver Island University - Online Learning and Teaching Graduate Program https://education.viu.ca/oltd/overview
I've just finished the first of ten courses. The OLTD program will take two years to complete, and it ladders directly into a Master of Education (Educational Leadership). It is my intention to finish it by December 2022. This has been a huge undertaking for me for many reasons. I was intimidated to take a graduate level program and I really had to apply the cognitive behaviour skills that I teach about when I was feeling overwhelmed, and doubting my abilities. A huge shout out to Mary O'Neill for coaching and encouraging me throughout the first course, OLTD 501, I've absolutely enjoyed all of the learning. I've learned more about educational theory and how to use various programs such as; Word Art for graphics, FlipGrid and Powtoons for videos, Visme for presentations, and ePortfolios to demonstrate my learning. Here's an example of a Word Art description that one of my colleagues did about me -
Finally, I am currently developing my own team building and conflict resolution workshop based on work done by industry leaders such as; Brené Brown, Patrick Lencioni, and others. Stay tuned for more on that in weeks to come!
That's what I've been doing during the pandemic. I'd love to hear about what you have been doing too. Contact me at mcmfacilitation@gmail.com