As the year comes to a close, I find myself deeply grateful for everyone who has allowed me to share my knowledge with them throughout 2024. This Saturday, December 28th, I had the privilege of leading my final in-person class of the year: the Ukrainian Diaspora Language class. It was an incredibly special experience, filled with the joy of singing Ukrainian carols and exploring how they sound in English. Yet, some students reminded me of an important truth—there are things that simply cannot be fully translated. Ukrainian carols hold a beauty and depth that resonate most profoundly in their original language. I learned as much from them as they did from me, and for that, I am immensely grateful.
This year, being on sabbatical, I missed in-person teaching deeply. However, I am profoundly thankful for the opportunities to teach online, where I could connect with students from near and far, even as I prioritized research and reflected on the future shape of my TRU service commitments. Sabbatical was a gift of time—time to focus, explore, and grow—and yet, it never dimmed my passion for sharing knowledge. I am eagerly looking forward to returning to the classroom on Monday, January 6th, with a renewed curriculum for every course I teach at TRU.
A heartfelt thank you to Father Andrzej for opening the doors to in-person teaching at the church through the Saturday Ukrainian Diaspora classes. These sessions have been a source of joy and fulfillment, as I share Ukrainian cultural knowledge while learning from the incredible wisdom of Diaspora knowledge keepers in Kamloops. We will continue these classes in the coming year, as they are both impactful and uplifting.
I am also deeply appreciative of all the guest speaker opportunities during my sabbatical. There is something uniquely rewarding about stepping into classrooms, sharing knowledge, engaging with students, and not having to do any grading! A highlight of 2024 was the special lecture in Cherkasy, Ukraine via Zoom, where I had the humbling experience of teaching students who were also frontline defenders of Ukraine. Witnessing the value of social work education through their eyes is a memory I will treasure forever.
To Amanda and Mike, thank you for enabling me to offer two community learning courses during my non-teaching term at TRU, contributing to ongoing research on mental health for first responders, military personnel, and 9Genders. I am equally grateful to the students who worked with me under the Mitacs program this summer. Balancing my research with supervising theirs was challenging but immensely rewarding, and their dedication inspires me.
Thank you to all universities that integrate my curriculum into their courses. Your trust motivates me to keep innovating and developing new offerings. I am excited to share updates on the Mitacs research in summer 2025, which will bring more students from around the world to TRU under my guidance.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to the students who actively participate, ask insightful questions, and persevere through challenges to complete their courses. Each thank-you card I receive is a reminder of the reciprocal nature of learning—I teach, but I also learn from all of you. For those facing obstacles in their studies, know that I see your efforts and cheer you on as you continue your journey.
Here’s to a year of learning, growth, and gratitude. May 2025 bring new opportunities to learn and teach, and may we all continue to inspire and uplift one another.
With respect
Sasha
Leave a Reply