Introduction

My name is Kristen Harper; I grew up and continue to live in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  I began my MEd studies in Fall 2018 while working full time and, thanks to the flexible nature of the program I was able to continue my studies despite having given birth to my daughter in Winter 2021.  Needless to say, my studies in this program have not only changed my life, but have also been influenced by my life, as I will describe at various points in my e-portfolio.

Academically speaking, I hold a BA in Organizational Leadership with Contemporary Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University; a post-graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Conestoga College and a Business-Marketing diploma from Mohawk College.  

Professionally, I am the Manager, Financial Aid and Awards at a leading Ontario postsecondary institution where I lead a team of advisors responsible for stewarding the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) and a variety of other financial assistance programs designed to reduce the financial barriers to accessing postsecondary education.   

Learning Goals

1. Obtain enhanced career mobility with current employer
2. Become an expert in instructional design
3. Complete a thesis 
4. Finish studies by Winter 2022

Initially I set my sights on obtaining a Masters degree simply so that I could have enhanced career mobility within my current organization.  As a full time employee within a postsecondary institution and a lifelong, continuous learner, the draw toward a Masters degree in the field of education was only natural.  I had already been made well aware of the open and flexible learning environment offered through Athabasca University, so when I came across the Master of Distance Education I knew it would be the perfect choice not only because it would allow me to study while working full time.  Many of my colleagues are (or have already) completed a Masters degree in the field of education, however I hadn't come across anyone with a specialization in the area of distance education, so this combined with the increasing popularity of online learning made this particular program one of great interest.  Little did I know, my choice would end up proving to be extremely timely given the massive global transformations in how we live, work and learn which resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were two pivot points in my studies, which I will describe below.

Initially when I began the program, I did so with the intention of pursuing the instructional design focal area and completing the thesis route, with the added aim of completing my studies in Winter 2022.  I really longed for the opportunity to become an "expert" in something; to make my mark on the world of academia through the intensive research process that comprises a thesis. I envisioned myself "becoming an instructional design expert", although I had little to no knowledge at the time of how to design a course.  Perhaps this was my way of fulfilling my childhood goals of becoming a teacher - the thought of having the freedom and the capability to design a course from scratch, catering the content to a diverse learning audience, would give me the "educator" feeling that I was still looking for.  However, after completing my core courses and when it came time to choose my electives I found myself wanting to take courses that weren't necessarily in line with the instructional design focal area.  Was I about to go rogue OR (perhaps more likely) had my interests changed and evolved?  In thinking about it, I realized that my interests had in fact been opened up to include other areas - gender issues, educational leadership, experiential learning, among others.  I had dabbled in the instructional design area and, while I enjoyed it, I decided that giving myself as much breadth of learning as possible would be most beneficial. 

The second pivot point for me in my studies was in the Spring/Summer of 2020 when I was pregnant with my daughter.  As I mentioned earlier, my original intention was to complete the thesis route however I knew that with the upcoming changes in my personal life (i.e.: becoming a mom for the first time), my priorities had to shift a little bit.  While I was determined to continue with my studies throughout my entire pregnancy and even after the birth of my daughter, I didn't feel that the thesis route would be feasible for me.  That being said, I once again made a decision to alter my educational journey and continue on in the course-based-route.  I would be lying if I said that this decision was easy; it wasn't.  Part of me felt as though I was robbing myself of the opportunity to "become an expert", but faced with the reality of my circumstances I knew it was the best decision I could make.  I found solace in the fact that I would still be able to personally manage my studies alongside my new role as "mom" with the course based route, and I must say that I have absolutely no regrets at this point for making the decision that I did.  After all, I am finishing at exactly the time I said I would right from the very beginning and I've had the opportunity to further explore the world of education by the additional room to take more electives (which I otherwise wouldn't have, had I completed the thesis route).  

Throughout my studies, I have experienced an incredible growth in mindset; I have been able to reimagine my self and my purpose within the field of education.  I have opened my mind up to new ideas, new ways of thinking, feeling and existing within this world - as a learner, as a woman, as a mom, as a professional.  I feel proud of my accomplishments, inspired by the prospect of opportunity, and boundless in my ability to rise to great heights in my professional career.