Drs. John Poulsen and Nancy Grigg leading the traditional convocation walk down the University of Lethbridge hill (Faculty of Education, Legacy Magazine archive, 2017)

Class of 2021, you are convocating in a timeline unique. This pandemic threw you countless curveballs, didn't it?  But it also revealed the depth of your creativity, vision, invention, character, and resilient heart. These are words we've all heard before. But at this moment in history as you graduate and venture forward, these words—which are more than mere platitudes as presented here—for you Class of 2021, these words ring true. Each of you, so bright with authenticity and hope. Please know that the messages below from Drs. Robin Bright, Interim Dean Faculty of Education and Richelle Marynowski, Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs reflect how proud all of us are of each of you!

Dr. Robin Bright, Interim Dean, Faculty of Education

October 18, 2021
Dear Faculty of Education Graduating Class of 2021,

Hello! My name is Robin Bright and I am the interim dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge. It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to wish you all congratulations on your graduation – a terrific accomplishment. The past few years have not been easy. But you have worked hard, persevered, and adjusted, or in the vernacular of the day, pivoted, and most importantly, you have been successful!

I would like to focus attention just briefly on your ability, in the face of tremendous uncertainly and challenge, to be flexible in thought and action, and to respond in ways that allowed you and your students to not only handle the challenges of this past year but to flourish.

There is a timeless and ancient prayer or saying, and I know you will recognize it, that says,

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

This reminds me of the many caring and talented teachers I know and whose ranks you are joining who show courage each and every day  to respond, adapt, and change in response to their world in ways that improve the lives of their students.

Here is a short story to illustrate what I mean by having the courage to respond in ways that change situations, change people, and change you.

During the first week of school, the teacher watched a student make a terrible mess of her desk, pulling papers out of the desk and piling papers onto the top of it, ripping kleenex up into little bits, and throwing her glue stick onto the floor, the retrieving it and yelling at it to stay put. The teacher told me that she remembers thinking, at that moment, “I am going to… love this kid.”

Your response to every situation you encounter, every person, old and young, every idea that comes your way, will define you and your teaching career.

Remember this day – the next time you find yourself standing in front of a huge mountain that feels impossible to climb--whether it involves a student, a co-worker, a curriculum-- remember why you started on this journey in the first place. Adjust, consider alternatives, have the courage to change yourself. Good luck and stay in touch with us – we want to celebrate your success at every turn!

You are convocating in a timeline unique. This pandemic threw you countless curveballs, didn't it?  But it also revealed the depth of your creativity, vision, invention, character, and resilient heart. These are words we've all heard before. But at this moment in history as you graduate and venture forward, these words—which are more than mere platitudes as presented here—for you Class of 2021, these words ring true. Each of you, so bright with authenticity and hope.

Best wishes,
Robin Bright, Ph. D (she/her)
Professor, Interim Dean
Faculty of Education | University of Lethbridge
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A message to the Class of 2021 from:
Dr. Richelle Marynowski
Associate Professor, Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs
Faculty of Education | University of Lethbridge

Dr. Richelle Marynowski, Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs, Faculty of Education

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Why become a teacher? Who inspired? What lessons learned? Here are some voices from the Class of 2021:
Shlomo Swan-Azmon (BSc '17, BEd '21)
Brad Aldridge (BSc '18, BEd '21)
Lisa Patten (BSc/BEd ’04, MEd ’21)
Sara Bieniada (BMgt/BEd ‘21)
Ashley Hoisington (BA/BEd ‘21)
Dominique Point du Jour (BEd '21)

We'd also like to take this time to congratulate our annual award recipients. You may find their stories here:
• Faculty of Education Gold Medal: Lacey Rose (BEd ‘21)
• Alberta Teachers' Association William Aberhart Award: Sophia Larney (BEd ‘21)
• Faculty of Education Grad Studies Medal of Merit: Kathryn Desrochers (BSc/BEd ’13, MEd ’21)

Convocation 2021 Celebration Centre ow.ly/Yqpf50F8HJe
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Stay in Touch

We invite you to join our Twitter account which is more than a social media platform, it is a professional development resource. It is comprised of an active community of educators from around the world, our alumni, current students, and Faculty of Education professors. As you continue your teacher journey you can use this active account to share, connect and reconnect with other educators, and to contact us directly Twitter: @ULethbridgeEdu Hashtag: #ULethEd

In the future, we hope to see you as teacher mentors to our students!
We would be honoured if you would consider having one our student teachers learn in your classroom. More info about becoming a teacher associate here.

Can alumni borrow Curriculum Laboratory materials? Yes, and more here.
Faculty of Education Graduate Studies & Research Twitter: @ULethEduGrad
Faculty of Education website here.
Become a Teacher video stories here.
A collection of stories about the Faculty of Education here.

Keep your contact information up to date with Alumni Relations. The folks in Alumni Relations have all sorts of benefits and events to keep you involved in the uLethbridge family and it helps us all stay connected.
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For more information please contact:

Darcy Tamayose
Communications Officer
Dean's Office • Faculty of Education
University of Lethbridge
darcy.tamayose@uleth.ca
Learn more about the Faculty of Education: Legacy Magazine (2008-2019)
Twitter: @ULethbridgeEdu #ULethEd
Website: uleth.ca/education
BecomeaTeacher.ca | BecomeaTeacherAssociate.ca | EdGradStudies.ca