CALP Connections
CALP Connections: January 2023
A Message from Cindy Heidecker, Secretary
Happy New Year, CLN Family!
My name is Cindy Heidecker and I am thrilled to be in the second year of my Board of Director term. This year I am also responsible for the secretarial duties for the Community Learning Network. I am connected to the CALP system through my position as the program manager for Paintearth Adult Learning. Our organization serves County of Paintearth learners in the east central Alberta communities of Brownfield, Castor, Coronation & Halkirk. When I am not supporting community learning opportunities I am a passionate sports fan and enjoy spending time with family, travelling, quilting, reading and being outdoors.
I had the pleasure of completing my Masters in Open, Digital & Distance Education from Athabasca University in October, 2022. During my final presentation my amazing professor asked me to share my thoughts on the following Adam Grant (professor of organizational psychology in the United States) quote; “Beating yourself up doesn't make you stronger. It leaves you bruised. Being kind to yourself isn't about ignoring your weaknesses. It's about giving yourself permission to learn from your mistakes. We grow by embracing shortcomings, not punishing them.”
We see bruised learners walk through our door. The CALP philosophy of providing warm and welcoming space assists learners through the process of being kind to themselves. Together CALP staff and learners identify where they are at in their learning journey and where they want to be. This is all part of the lifelong learning process.
Celebrate the learners that you have witnessed move from beating themselves up to embracing their shortcomings and hold space for those that were not ready yet.
Cheers to the work that each and every one of you does to give your students permission to learn from their mistakes, not punishing them!