Women leading the way

Sarah Adomako-Ansah

 

My current role is… Since recently completing my secondment as the educator-in-residence at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, I have returned to the Edmonton Catholic School Division, now as its equity, diversity, inclusion and antiracism consultant.
   
Being a woman in leadership in the profession means… Serving as a role model and supporting other women and girls to help them achieve the goals they set out to achieve. 

It was important for me as a woman to take on leadership roles in the profession because… There are not many people who look like me in educational leadership in this province, and it is time to see a change in who we look up to.  

I was uplifted by and/or I uplift other women in the profession by… Finding opportunities for others. It is important to me that other racialized educators are recognized for all the good they do for their students every day. 

 

Lynn Leslie

 

My current role is… Learning services supervisor, new curriculum implementation. ATA Council for School Leadership president.  

Being a woman in leadership in the profession means… Having the courage to lean into new opportunities, discomfort and uncertainty, even when you think you are not good enough.  

It was important for me as a woman to take on leadership roles in the profession because… 

I want to make a difference for students and teachers. As a school board trustee, I saw the amazing work happening in schools and I wanted to be part of that work; I went back to school to become a teacher. Now, as an education leader, it is important to me to support others who are balancing home and career while pursuing their dreams.

I was uplifted by and/or I uplift other women in the profession by… Others helped give me a voice, walked alongside me, and encouraged me to take risks and believe that I am good enough. It is easy to fall back into self-doubt, so having friends and colleagues who listen, support, encourage, challenge and mentor me has been essential for my continued personal and professional growth.

 

Julia McDougall

 

My current role is… An Indigenous Student Services cultural teacher with the Fort McMurray Public School Division, supporting students, families and staff in three high schools. 

Being a woman in leadership in the profession means… Sharing authentic life stories, showing how fostering relationships leads to understanding the main message in oral storytelling and in the creation stories. 

It was important for me as a woman to take on leadership roles in the profession because… My leadership speaks volumes when it comes to sharing and learning through the lens of Indigenous women. I remain committed to furthering the reach of Indigenous education and spreading the knowledge of positive Indigenous influences. 

I was uplifted by and/or I uplift other women in the profession by… I was influenced and uplifted by mother’s hard work and determination in whatever she set her mind to learn. She loved to learn and raised me to believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I was blessed to have her share her life with me until she reached the age of 93. 

Joelle Tymchuk

 

My current role is…  Grade 9 English Language Arts (ELA) teacher, ELA department head and mentor. 

Being a woman in leadership in the profession means… Getting to work with women who are wiser than me, from so many backgrounds, with so many talents, and learn from them as we all row through the same waters. I then share those learnings with women just beginning their teaching careers.   

It was important for me as a woman to take on leadership roles in the profession because… The upper echelons of education are still very male-centered. There are women coming up in the profession with such incredible ideas, drive and potential, and women in positions of leadership can help lift them to the next level.  

I was uplifted by and/or I uplift other women in the profession by… I have always worked alongside great women who led with heart and conviction: from my first English department head who showed me how to love ELA, to the assistant principal who made us all feel like a family, to my current administrative team and my sisters at my school where we look out for each other.  

I uplift other queer women who may be facing intersectional roadblocks by mentoring them and steering them to great resources and spaces. I want them to feel that there is community for them and know they have the support of other queer women who have walked the same paths.

Kathy Jones-Husch

 

My current role is… Principal of a K–6 Catholic fine arts-focused elementary school. 

Being a woman in leadership in the profession means… Stepping into a natural place of nurturing and challenging others in ways that have the most impact. Teacher leadership should reflect our profession, so when women are in leadership, everyone benefits. 

It was important for me as a woman to take on leadership roles in the profession because… Leadership roles allow me to bring my own voice, and the voices of others, to the table. By engaging with people at all levels and in all roles in education, witnessing alongside them and then taking action through my leadership, I am able to positively impact the quality of teaching and learning. By entering formal leadership, I also knew I would be a visible role model for my students and my daughter. That means a lot to me. 

I was uplifted by and/or I uplift other women in the profession by… Many women have seen my strengths and invited me to step into leadership roles, ATA greats and my teaching colleagues alike. Many female colleagues continue to support and encourage me, making this hard work doable! I consciously strive to recognize the leadership qualities in others to pay forward what has been given to me. 

Maryse Simon

 

Mon rôle actuel est celui... d'enseignante en première année dans une école francophone.  

Le fait d’être une femme dans un rôle de leadeurship au sein de la profession signifie... de contribuer à l'égalité des chances pour les femmes, de devenir un modèle pour elles et de faire face à des défis tels que les stéréotypes de genre et les attentes sociales traditionnelles liées aux rôles de genre. À mes yeux, le leadeurship, c’est l’implication et l’engagement.  

 Il était important pour moi, en tant que femme, d’assumer des rôles de leadeurship au sein de la profession parce que... j’ai besoin d’en faire plus, de m’impliquer, d’avoir des projets, mais surtout d’essayer de faire une différence, pour les élèves, mais aussi dans mon milieu scolaire et dans ma profession. Je crois que les femmes doivent assumer des rôles de leadeurship dans le milieu scolaire pour promouvoir l'égalité des chances et l'inclusion, pour servir de modèles pour les autres femmes et pour apporter des perspectives et des expériences différentes qui peuvent enrichir la prise de décision et améliorer les résultats dans le système éducatif. 

Comment ai-je été encouragée et inspirée par d'autres femmes au sein de la profession, ou comment les ai-je encouragées et inspirées? J’ai toujours été encouragée par ma famille, mes leadeurs scolaires et certaines collègues à aller plus loin et à poursuivre ce qui me passionne. J’aime être entourée de personnes inspirantes, motivantes, stimulantes. J’aime collaborer et réaliser de nouveaux projets! J’aime le rayonnement, valoriser ce que nous avons accompli, mais j’aime particulièrement faire briller mes collègues. J’espère les inspirer autant qu’elles m’inspirent.