My Leadership Timeline

My Journey of Transformation to Become a Leader

By Melissa Dedam

My Education:

I have always had a passion to learn.

Here are the events in my life that I believe that made me the person/leader I am today.

The Hard Decisions:

I have learned a lot about myself while I completed my bachelor's degree, became a teacher, and went to Crandall for the advanced certificate program. The biggest learning experience was doing all this while raising my children. Juggling all my responsibilities and raising my children has the biggest challenge of my life. It was important to do what I had to do. I was determined to follow my dreams. Also, I had the best mentor teacher, Wendy McLaughin, who supported that dream. She believed in me, she encouraged me and still does to this day.

During my education path, at one point, I made the hardest decision a mother could. I decided to take my three youngest children and move to Fredericton, by myself, to continue my schooling. I raised my three youngest children on my own, while my oldest son stayed in Elsipogtog with his father. (It was his first year in French Immersion and he wanted to stay.) It was hard yes, but it was a temporary sacrifice for a better future.

That is what a leader does, they make the hard decisions for the greater good of a situation.

In Warm's article, it states that "we follow almost predictable paths..." I have made on my own path! This is my journey!

My Children

My Career:

Everything I do is for them. From the moment I was pregnant with my first child, I made a promise that I would be the best mother I could possibly be and that I would do everything and anything to make sure I was his number one role model. I made that same promise to each and everyone of them! Every choice I make is because of them. They are my motivation to be the best person I can be.

"Becoming a teacher has been my lifelong dream."

I live by this statement from Warm's article, it reminds me of a quote by Martin Luthar King Jr. " Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase to take the first step."

Key points:

• Being a teen mother in high school and graduating.
• Deciding to go to university and become a teacher while working full time and raising my children.
• Always keeping in mind about the person I want to be
• Always having the compassion to help others.

I have been pretty lucky, I was hired right away as a literacy lead teacher. (It was through a long term supply job and I only received a contract this year.) However, I've received so much professional development during my early career and I am always learning more, through book studies and conference. In this role, I have had many opportunities where my leadership skills came in handy. Communicating alone is huge. A leader has to know how to communicate well, whether it is through words, text and body language. A leader also needs how to lead their team to obtain the goal.

Last year, I volunteered to be a part of an action research team. We had no clue what our objective were. We only had this big fancy title: Infusion of the First Nation culture into the curriculum. We didn't know what steps to take or what the department wanted. We only had four days to get the work done. I decided to take initiative and development a few thought provoking questions about what the title meant. In a few short moments the group was engaged. Together we came up with a goal and the plan to obtain it.

The biggest highlight of my early career is when I was giving the okay to plan and host a mini pow wow at our provincial school. It was really important to me that my Mi'kmaq culture be shared in the schools and I was determined to make that happen.

I am excited to announce that I will be planning the second annual mini pow wow this year!

The Safe Space Project & EYC

• This was my first real important job.
• I was hired to run the safe space project in Elsipogtog. I wasn't giving any direction, any guidelines or criteria. So I had to make a game plan with my team and run with it.
• That summer a few of us also created the Elsipogtog Youth Council.
• Check out the video:

The program is still running today!

The Secret

Another huge transformation happen when I watched and read, The Secret by Rhonda Bryne. It changed me. I began my path with a more positive attitude. I forgave all those who had hurt me and those who I resented. (My parents.) I let my heart finally be free of anger. I continued reading more books that helped me work on me... building my self esteem and confidence. I learned how to reflect on my accomplishments and be proud of them but also humble at the same time. I finally realized that I did matter and I had a lot to offer to this world. http://thesecret.tv/

The Business

My Self:

Along the way I got involved with a team of great people. We were all independent business owners. During that time I was reading a lot of books about leadership, success principles, communication skills and learning about the different personalities of people. I was also listening to cd's created by people who became very success in the business world. It was a great experience, I built up my confident and ventured out on my own, showing groups of people the plan and recruiting others to join us. I would have to say this was a big part in my life where I started to transform into who I am today.

Right from the start

I had a really rough childhood and my siblings and I didn't have the greatest parents so I had to step up and raise my siblings when my parents couldn't.

The most important part in my story is the part where I am true to myself.

I often reflect on my accomplishments and the journey that has brought me here.

Being grateful, acknowledging those who have helped me along the way and being proud but humble... those are all qualities/gifts I feel are important in my life and make me who I am.

I believe in myself. I know and understand what my place is in this world and I am blessed to have the opportunity to share my gifts with you all.

Thank you

Wela'lin

Merci'