The following posts have been individually constructed from my personal teaching philosophy document. This post is part 3 in my teaching philosophy series.
To date, I have published:
- Part 1, My introduction, which can be found here.
- Part 2, Navigating my path to university, which can be found here.
Several months passed, and I found myself in a state of uncertainty about my future. It was during this period that I received a call from Carleton University, asking if I had received a letter from them. I hadn’t, and it seemed the letter was sitting at my grandparents’ house, gathering dust. It was during that call that I was informed of my acceptance into the Enriched Support Program (ESP).
What is ESP?
The ESP is a full-time initiative designed to assist students in gaining eligibility for university admission while simultaneously earning first-year university credits. ESP students partake in first-year credit courses and benefit from weekly workshops tailored to provide them with the tools needed for academic success. Upon completing their ESP year, students who meet the required average across their courses become eligible for acceptance into various degree programs (source).
I vividly recall being on the phone with an advisor, discussing my options. Since I received news of my acceptance into the program later than most other students, many of the courses were already at capacity. Consequently, I enrolled in an Indigenous Issues course, along with classes in English and History. To this day, that course remains one of the most memorable of my undergraduate degree.
While ESP may be viewed with skepticism by those unfamiliar with the program. It turned out to be the most supportive and influential experience of my university journey. I completed those courses and transitioned into a History degree program, eventually pursuing a minor in Communication Studies.
At that moment, I couldn’t have foreseen it, but ESP would go on to shape and guide my instructional design process profoundly.
Lesson 2: A strong foundation of support is important for academic success.
Header photo by Neil Thomas on Unsplash
My teaching philosophy was designed and influenced by the guide from Western University’s Centre for Teaching and Learning titled Writing a teaching philosophy statement.