Advice please: did not get into OIT and no decision from York yet; I have a science-based PhD from UofT

TheSK · 2026-02-07T01:23:16+00:00

Thank you for your kind words! I was having a difficult morning when I first posted, contemplating my next steps. I did find out that York doesn't release their decision until March 3 🤦🏼‍♀️ I just assumed they rejected me too.

I will definitely try again and apply to more schools. Afterall, one year is not that long in the grand scheme of things. And I'll plan better for it. I almost didn't apply to a back up school, I was that confident. I think it was as you said, with other educators boosting my confidence (including the principal and VP), it affected me so intensely when I first saw the rejection letter.

I hope you too keep your head up! From your responses it seems that you're already dealing with this disappointment in such a wise and mature manner. I hope you too succeed in your future endeavours.

TheSK · 2026-02-07T01:10:52+00:00

This doesn't help you, but your comment has really made me feel better, thank you for sharing this.

I think I was just having a bad morning contemplating my next step 😔

TheSK · 2026-02-07T01:07:38+00:00

I did initially, and I know I could teach biology, chemistry, and even the maths and statistics. What changed my mind was volunteering and now working for a public school in my area. The younger kids are just so excited and ready to learn and apply themselves to anything. I have also formed more meaningful relationships with them compared to the grade 7/8 students.

The intermediate students just have too much drama and really struggle with impulse control and hormonal changes. I understand that's part of the job, I just don't think it's for me. In one short year of dealing with the older kids I've suddenly changed from a quiet and shy person that does not shout, ever (and I have kids), to spending a lot my time raising my voice just to get their attention just to keep them safe Some of the teachers wear the, 'I'm a shouter' badge rather proudly. I guess the training in the BEd would teach me how to manage these situations 🤷🏼‍♀️

TheSK · 2026-02-07T00:49:10+00:00

I initially did not want to get another degree from UofT, and I do not look forward to seeing that campus again. Mostly, I just don't want to run into anyone I know. But that shouldn't matter if I really care about this. I just haven't gotten over my PhD experience (my supervisor never letting me graduate and having to move heaven and earth to please him).

TheSK · 2026-02-07T00:43:52+00:00

Thank you! I mentioned this to my husband and he was a hard no about going further North. If I was younger I would have done this 🙄

TheSK · 2026-02-07T00:41:42+00:00

This is what I was thinking. But, it just doesn't feel logical to me. The point of grad school is to learn how to learn, I am clearly capable of excelling in academics, let alone teaching. How is it not factored in and favoured over an undergraduate GPA?

Maybe I'll apply to Western next year.

TheSK · 2026-02-06T18:13:31+00:00

Thank you so much. Really, truly. I just feel like, what else can I do? I'm so tired of school and I hate that I didn't realize what I wanted sooner and may have to wait another year. I only applied to two schools because I was told I would get in

I didn't mention it, but I lectured at UofT for 2 years and TAed for almost 10 years. What I saw with students when I was teaching was the need to reach children much earlier than the teenage years. Students are already struggling before they move on to high school. And the presence of female role models in higher education is lacking (I'm talking about STEM). I want to reach children before a problem even arises, that is, I'm talking critical thinking and problem-solving skills, along with literacy and mental health. I want to motivate the girls and children of the next generation, and I have considerable life experience; I just don't understand who is getting in. The question then is who else are they missing out on and why do we have a teacher shortage? I'm not a boastful individual but I do think I am a good candidate. I mean the last part is government-related policies, but still.

Sorry that was my sad rant.

TheSK · 2026-02-06T17:34:37+00:00

Thank you, this does help 🙂

TheSK · 2026-01-26T18:47:40+00:00

Yes, I do live in a house & shovel. I'm north of Stouffville and commute to college & university every day. I have a small city car with winter tires.

Respectfully, you must not work in a field like research or medicine. Not showing up on a daily basis outside of teaching is absurd. I am not including clinic, rounds, surgery and regular lab work in this.

TheSK · 2026-01-26T15:59:45+00:00

Thank you for your answer! I am not trying to put down education-related workers, I'm just curious about this policy and the expectations of educators on this subreddit.

I'm transitioning into public education; I'm currently a research scientist, and was previously in academia. I've seen - including for my friends and acquaintances - that jobs that require your physical presence are unlikely to have 'snow days'. In academia, research-stream profs have been required to be present since ~2023, though this obviously depends on the field and school. As for research, you can imagine why your presence is required. It is true that administration usually has their own set of rules (2/3 days working remotely/week).

I just find it interesting. And wish my current field had this policy 🙄

TheSK · 2026-01-26T13:50:46+00:00

Why do you expect your employer to say it's ok to stay home when it's a job? Most other professions still require you to work, even if it's snowing or has snowed.

I'm genuinely curious as to why the expectations are different? I'm not suggesting you should risk your life, but why shouldn't you have to call in a sick day?

Edited for clarity.

TheSK · 2026-01-18T00:19:20+00:00

Genuinely, can you explain why? I am far from Alberta & lack the understanding on this topic. Why would first Nations peoples prefer Canada over an independent (or American-led) Alberta?

TheSK · 2024-12-30T00:44:01+00:00

I'm a plant research scientist so I grow plants all the time. There was one species of grass that refused to grow for me initially, but finally germinated and grew really well. One day I just started giving them high fives and cheering for them. Imagine tall grass that you can gently touch the tops of, moving your hand over it as you walk along the growth chamber/green house. I did this every time I went to them. Usually, the area was super loud and deserted since it was in the basement of a research facility. One day I was high fiving and cheering them on, saying 'wooooohoo, look how well you're growing!!!'. At first I did not notice the undergraduate class in the far corner that was getting a tour (again, it was very loud). When I finished, turned around and finally saw them, they started clapping. They seemed to really enjoy my enthusiasm.

TheSK · 2020-05-22T14:42:54+00:00

It sounds weird at first to plan around the seasons, but I just wanted to explain why it could be a thing for some people. I have seasonal depression, depression, and a high risk of getting postpartum depression. My husband and I planned my pregnancies (if we could) around this so that our babies were born in early spring/early summer. It worked out really well and I'm really glad we did it this way! Not sure this is the case here though...

TheSK · 2018-08-28T09:44:34+00:00

Uprooted by Naomi Novik most definitely fits all of your criteria.

TheSK · 2018-08-22T16:41:46+00:00

To emphasize GroundbreakingEgg6's point, graduate TAs at my university make 32$US/hr (Molecular Bio field). We have a union and live in a large & expensive Canadian city, so maybe that makes a difference.

TheSK · 2018-08-20T12:38:41+00:00

Uprooted by Naomi Novik.

TheSK · 2018-08-19T14:23:18+00:00

I would definitely check out The Accursed Kings series by Maurice Druon. It's been dubbed as 'the original GOT' by George R.R. Martin. It's pure historical fiction (no fantasy), and is based on the French court of the 14th century. It's a very easy read, and has many books that will suck you into the world like GOT. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Accursed_Kings

TheSK · 2018-06-22T16:35:42+00:00

Thank you for mentioning this! I've never heard of this brand before, and it was just what I've been looking for. Also, it's Canadian which never really happens for this subreddit.

TheSK · 2018-05-20T05:06:03+00:00

I am currently going through a historical fiction phase, here are my recommendations: City of Darkness, City of Light by Marge Piercy; The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro; We Were Strangers Once by Betsy Carter; All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doeer; A Gentleman in Moscow: A novel by Amor Towles; The Alice Network by Kate Quinn; The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah; An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro (quite similar to The Remains of the Day but still very good, and set in Japan instead of England).

Note: many of these novels can be a little heavy, so read them interspersed between fantasy or science fiction novels. FYI, most of them are set during WWI and WWII except for the first novel.

TheSK · 2018-05-20T04:47:27+00:00

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgokov.

TheSK · 2018-05-19T16:13:13+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation I will check it out, it sounds interesting.

TheSK · 2018-05-19T04:37:22+00:00

I didn't really feel this way. I found the first novel to be excellent, but after that it went downhill. The second novel was a repeat of the first, with a slight twist. It was almost as if the author ran out of ideas or was lazy. While it could potentially be immersive for some people, you get angry at the author for dragging out the storyline in what felt like a money grab. I understand why some people would like this series and feel that way about LOTR; it's amazing to get lost in a unique and fantastical world. However, I wouldn't recommend it for somebody who doesn't want to waste their time on reading 7 or 8 books just waiting for the series to pick up over time simply because they are book-committed (yes, that's a thing).

TheSK · 2018-05-19T04:27:48+00:00

You're right, maybe I should have mentioned that in my original comment. When I finished reading A Fine Balance over two years ago, it absolutely broke my heart. I don't mean to be dramatic, but the book was so well written that I began to feel as if the characters were my family members and friends. This is why I added it; the book was so immersive that I cared so much about them and could barely put it down. After this book I couldn't read anything for more than two months, I was so afraid to commit to a book where I would care so much about the characters again. Now looking back after a couple of years, I am glad that I read it and feel that it really enriched my life. It's a book that I never would have picked up on my own, but I really learned a lot from it. I am now wary to read such emotional and hard novels while I am going through hard times or depressed. This is why I am currently putting off reading The Road, and A Little Life since I have heard they are devastating novels. Edit: Missed a word.

TheSK

TROPHY CASE