Shifting Seasons and Shifting Work
As October settles in on Vancouver Island, the change of season feels especially vivid. The mornings are crisper, the leaves have turned to brilliant shades of red and gold, and the cool ocean breeze carries that unmistakable scent of fall. It’s a season that always brings a mix of reflection and renewal, a reminder that change is both beautiful and necessary.
September was, in a word, a whirlwind. Personally, it was a month filled with unexpected turns. A family emergency brought me back to Prince Edward Island, followed by multiple visits to the hospital to be with my parents. From there, life carried me further still, an unplanned 2,500 km drive from Maine to Tampa, accomplished in just two and a half days. I am deeply grateful for the flexibility of consulting work that allows me to show up for family when it matters most, even in the middle of unexpected journeys.
Amidst the travel and turbulence, I also began an exciting new contract with Pressbooks. I’ll be supporting their work on global expansion, as well as collaborating on another innovative project they’re preparing to launch (which I’ll let them share when the time is right). It’s energizing to partner with a team whose mission aligns so closely with my own values around open education and accessible learning.
September also brought the opportunity to facilitate a two-day retreat with an incredible group of leaders and practitioners. Together, we dug into questions of strategy, impact, and collaboration, using a mix of structured dialogue and creative facilitation methods to surface new pathways forward. The energy in the room was palpable. People left with not only a renewed sense of purpose, but also concrete ideas they could take back to their organizations. (If you’d like a snapshot of the event, I shared more reflections here on LinkedIn).
I’m also continuing my work with Campus Manitoba on their Open Education Community of Practice. Right now, our focus is on the challenges of OER adoption and awareness, that feeling many educators know well, of sometimes being the only one “shouting from the rooftops” about accessible and affordable solutions for students. Building a community where practitioners can share strategies, troubleshoot together, and amplify each other’s voices has been both powerful and necessary.
Looking forward, October brings another exciting facilitation opportunity. I’ll be heading to Denver to facilitate a two-day meeting with DOERS3 (Driving Open Educational Resources for Student Success and Sustainability). The focus of this year’s gathering is on sustainability, a critical theme as institutions and systems continue to expand their open education initiatives. It promises to be a space for deep thinking, honest dialogue, and collaborative planning for the future of OER.
As the seasons shift, I’m reminded of how quickly life can change, and how important it is to stay grounded in both purpose and community. I feel grateful for the work I get to do, the people I get to collaborate with, and the chance to hold space for conversations that move education forward.
