大象传媒

大象传媒 has always felt close to home for Kurtis Stangl 鈥� especially the MEd in Educational Leadership program. The program鈥檚 approach to leadership formed a perfect partnership with Kurtis鈥� discipline of alternate education. Through imagination, he is encouraged to think beyond traditional blueprints and help students reach their goals in novel and meaningful ways. 

鈥淲hen I was in high school, I struggled to figure out my future. The years that came after were pretty turbulent. I did general studies in college then dropped out. I tried to get a music career off the ground but eventually re-enrolled at Douglas College. This led to transferring into 大象传媒.鈥� 

鈥淚 am now a secondary school teacher in my seventh year working at an alternate education program for students with unique learning needs while also acting as the program鈥檚 department head.鈥�

鈥淎 core focus of the program was imagination; the process of seeing the possibility in all things, specifically through the context of school leadership, and using imaginative practices to frame leadership practices.鈥� 

鈥淚鈥檓 often thinking about students who have extenuating circumstances or challenges that prevent them from attending school consistently, submitting assignments on time or engaging in what is typically being taught in classrooms. Once every intervention in mainstream schools has been exhausted, how do we ensure that these young folks can be equipped for success later in life? Approaching those questions requires thinking outside of the box.鈥�

A Program Highlight

A highlight from the program for Kurtis was the process of creating his research project. With every rigorous step, he always felt supported. 

鈥淲hen all was said and done, I had this amazing piece of work 鈥� a unique piece of knowledge 鈥� that I am proud of and hope to continue building upon in the future.鈥� 

A New Perspective

 Looking at leadership through an imaginative lens transformed his perspective. Kurtis was inspired to reflect inwardly on what traditional forms of problem solving or creative design should continue with him moving forward and what he was comfortable leaving behind 鈥� creating new space for personal and professional growth. 

鈥淚 developed new perspectives on research, leadership, and learning 鈥� from Indigenous ways of knowing to the complexities of power and positionality in educational contexts... I learned how to truly love something intellectually 鈥� to engage with a passion of mine in a way that fully honoured its nuance and meaning.鈥�

鈥淯nderstanding one鈥檚 journey as a process of planting a garden and seeing it gradually flourish is important 鈥� nurturing, pruning and cultivating are all part of a singular process of leadership development.鈥� 

Support from the Faculty 

鈥淚 would consider the professors I worked with throughout the program as both world-class instructors and humans. Gillian Judson鈥檚 passion for learning and leadership was contagious. Meaghan Dougherty鈥檚 empathy and wisdom were essential in guiding my research project. Becky Cox helped frame my approach to research in an intentional and rigorous way. Laurie Anderson鈥檚 lived experiences and stories were insightful and memorable in their thematic meaning. I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a more supportive group of people in undertaking this journey.鈥� 

Moving Forward

鈥淚鈥檓 spearheading a photography class this year that鈥檚 never been offered at our alternate education site before. The course encourages students to reimagine their understanding of school as one of singular achievement to one of collective success and growth. The underlying themes of the class can trace directly back to what I learned in the program. Looking back on the decision now, I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 something I would have had the vision to pursue before my M.Ed.鈥� 

Advice for Future Faculty of Education Students

鈥淚鈥檇 encourage anyone entering the Faculty of Education to take time to map out their support network 鈥� the people and communities who will steady them along the way. Knowing who you can lean on, and inviting them into your goals and hopes, makes a world of difference. Learning at this level is so multifaceted; it isn鈥檛 just about growing as an educator, it鈥檚 about learning how to be supported while you grow.鈥�