Jacky's Resource List
Please explore the tabs and links below for different kinds of supports, services, and resources available to you. You can always reach out to me via MIO as well if you'd like me to direct you toward the best resources for you!
Work and Education
- Anthropology and methodology teacher at Vanier since 2002. (I never thought I'd be able to say I had worked somewhere for 20 years!)
- Before teaching, I worked as an office clerk in a lighting company. Blegh! I hate cubicles!
- I put myself through university by working in depanneurs, gas stations, warehouses, and call centres. Other than working night shifts at a Petro Canada with a really cool boss, these jobs all sucked!
Other stuff I've done at Vanier:
- Co-founder of The Open Door Network (sensitization workshops on LGBTT2SIQA topics)
- Co-founder of the Vanier Indigenous Circle and the Indigenous Studies Certificate Program
- Co-founder of the Intercollegiate Decolonization Network
- Organized the Social Science Festival (3 times)
Edumacation:
- DEC in Pure and Applied Sciences from Champlain College (Lennoxville campus), 1992
- Bachelor’s (1997) and Master’s (2001) degrees from Concordia University
- Teacher training in Performa program (a Master's level program in college teaching)
- PhD from Université de Montréal (2022) (My PhD thesis is posted on this page, for those who are interested. The thesis is written in English, despite the cover page.)
A few basics
- My pronouns are he or they (I use them interchangeably).
- I prefer that you call me Jacky rather than Sir. I really hate Sir!
- My last name is pronounced, roughly, Va-lay
- I'm autistic and may occasionally have to set some boundaries that have to do with my access needs. If you'd like to know more about my take on access, please see my accessibility notes section on this board: https://jacky.netboard.me/jackysresourcel/?tab=520906
My Teaching Philosophy
As a teacher, I aim to:
- Promote a desire for life long learning;
- Support students on their individual paths;
- Recognize that student success takes many forms;
- Ensure that all students feel they belong;
- Foster mutual compassion and self-compassion;
- Foster mutual respect and self-respect;
- Continue learning with humility and respect;
- Act in ways that are transparent and honest;
- Share my passion for anthropology and social justice;
- Share my love of the craft of writing!
Simply put, I try to help all students feel they belong in this class! I do this by:
- Learning your names;
- Respecting the pronunciation of your names;
- Respecting your pronouns;
- Respecting your access needs;
- Working to avoid oppressive language and behaviour;
- Making amends if I make a mistake;
- Respecting all students regardless of marks;
- Being open about why I organize things the way that I do;
- Being open to engage in dialogue about these things;
- Learning from students;
- Sharing life tips when wanted or needed;
- Giving second chances.
Misc Fun Stuff
- Parent of a 25 year old
- Activist (Queer/trans communities; Indigenous solidarity)
- Mixed descent, mostly West European settler background
- Queer and trans/non-binary
- Autistic
- Bookworm, blogger, and aspiring novelist
- I had a cat named Motorhead for 18 years!
- Interests: Camping, hiking, walking, international travel, The Legend of Zelda
- Shows I like: The Wheel of Time, Reservation Dogs, The Walking Dead, Z Nation, Grey’s Anatomy, Brooklyn 99, Schitt’s Creek, The Good Place, Death Note, Supernatural, Our Flag Means Death
- Music: Iron Maiden, Scorpions (and lots of other 70s and 80s rock and metal), Elisapie, Nightwish... too many artists to name, tbh.
- I love all things that are quirky and silly!
Favourite Quotations
“. . . education can be liberating, or it can domesticate or maintain domination. It can sustain colonization in neo-colonial ways or it can decolonize" (Marie Battiste in Decolonizing education: Nourishing the learning spirit, p. 175).
"The truth about stories is, that's all we are (Thomas King in The Truth about Stories, multiple mentions).
"Don't dream it...be it!" (Rocky Horror Picture Show)
Social media
Facebook (yes, I'm old. Anyone can follow my public posts. Graduating students may send a friend request.): https://www.facebook.com/jacky.n.vallee/