These past few weeks have been enlightening, frightening, joyful, exciting and very very emotional.

Honestly, I was under the distinct impression that I knew what it meant to be a leader, and more than that, I AM a leader. Some of the things I didn’t realize is that you aren’t just a leader in your job, or school, or activities. You’re a leader in LIFE. When you take on a leadership role, and you TRULY lead, you’re never able to stop.

I am learning that having leadership qualities doesn’t make you or break you, it’s how you go about putting that knowledge to use to better yourself and your mindset. Through Susan I was able to gain insight on how I disengage when things get tough emotionally or mentally, and this is seen by everyone. While nobody said anything to me, I understand the image I was projecting, and I will forever be grateful to Susan for her feedback and guidance through the reflective time she encouraged me to take to really dig deep into the meaning of what happened.

Through Michelle I was able to engage in conversation about my discomfort, about my fears, about my hope and about my joyful moments during the practicum. She talked me through and helped me unpack many moments where I was trying to use humour to mask emotion and instability during seminar classes. Her ability to help me sit with my discomfort in those small moments will help me build and be able to the larger situations where I may need someone to lean on.

It was through the Knowledge Gathering weekend that I was gifted the opportunity to reveal myself to someone that will help me see what I was doing, I was gifted a session with Elder Gloria Gladue when I was the only one in her Robert Munsch Cree Reading, I was gifted with the meeting of Shannon Souray who will always be a person I look at as full of life, passion, and love, and I was gifted the chance to speak to many other like-minded people from around Alberta that want nothing more than to decolonize the structures that keep us from really teaching and learning with purpose and intent.

Finally, through my classmates this semester. I will never forget the way they listened, encouraged and felt with me when I spoke (sometimes at great length) during our seminar classes. In speaking with them about various things, both personal and in practicum, allowed me not only to see more of myself, but to appreciate more of their journey as well.

The more I learn, the less I know, but I will keep going as it’s where my path is leading me.