Crossing the stage at Convocation brought Erika Tilbrook (BECE \u201923) one step closer to a whole new life.<\/p>\n
It marked a pivotal moment for the the 47-year-old mom of four, who\u00a0graduated from Brock\u2019s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) program on Thursday, June 15.<\/p>\n
Tilbrook found herself starting over in her early 40s after the end of her marriage. She\u2019d spent the previous 20 years as a stay-at-home parent.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking to myself, \u2018well, now what?\u2019\u201d she says. \u201cA lot of people my age are going to be retiring just as I\u2019m starting out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Determined to rebuild her life and launch a career doing something she\u2019s passionate about, Tilbrook enrolled in an early childhood education (ECE) program at Niagara College in 2018. At that point, she hadn\u2019t been in a classroom since graduating from a creative fashion design program in 1997.<\/p>\n
In March 2020, she was hired by the District School Board of Niagara as a supply early childhood educator. COVID-19 regulations meant she ended up spending an extended period working in one elementary school.<\/p>\n
The experience inspired her to explore a career in teaching and Tilbrook started looking at options to complete a degree so she could apply to teacher education programs.<\/p>\n
While committing several more years to her education was a daunting idea, Tilbrook\u2019s ambition won out over her fears.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told myself I\u2019d be 50 by the time I finished. That\u2019s too old,\u201d she says. \u201cBut I loved working at the school board. Four years is going to come and go whether I go to school or not, and I’m just going to regret it if I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
She enrolled in the BECE program in September 2021 because of its online structure. The the transfer credits she received from her college diploma allowed her to pursue her dream while balancing part-time work and her family\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n
With the support of Brock faculty members, Tilbrook soon discovered a surprising love of research.<\/p>\n
She spent two internships researching forest schools with Monique Somma, Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Studies, who later hired her as a research assistant (RA), giving Tilbrook the opportunity to present their work at conferences in December 2022 and May 2023. She has also been hired as an RA by Sandra Della Porta, Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Studies.<\/p>\n
While she still hopes to teach one day, Tilbrook has been accepted to Brock\u2019s Master of Education program and is considering previously unimagined career paths that would allow her to make a difference in the lives of children through policy-making, administration or research.<\/p>\n
Her experience at Brock and the support she received from faculty in the program have been a significant part of Tilbrook\u2019s personal growth over the past few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s so much opportunity and new direction that I’ve been given. I feel like I’m getting more confident,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Tilbrook\u2019s children, now aged 14 to 23, are proud of everything their mom has achieved so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey’re so sweet,\u201d she says. \u201cThey tell me all the time how proud they are of me. Every time they walk by my desk in the living room they say \u2018good job, mom\u2019 or \u2018way to go.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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