Jillian

Pauzé

Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science (Interdisciplinary Studies), Bachelor of Education
Port Severn, ON

My journey at LU began four years ago as a transfer student and in that time, I have built many bonding relationships with my peers and my professors. This past year at Lakehead has been especially challenging for me as I gave birth to my first-born child, Adelaide, a year ago. At first, I was uncertain if I would manage to achieve academic success while maintaining a healthy balance between my role as a new mother and that of a student. September was fast approaching and I had not yet managed to find a child care facility that had a vacant spot for my daughter. I emailed my professors with hopes that they would allow my newborn baby attend classes with me until I could find alternative arrangements. This is when my professor, Dr. Seth Agbo, made a significant impact on me as a student. His reply to my email read: “Hi Jill: Congratulations on having your baby. Of course, I’ll welcome the baby in my class as the youngest student I’ve ever had. Will see you in class. –Seth”. Dr. Agbo’s response restored my confidence as a student and as a mother because I knew at that very moment that I would be successful in my future endeavors. All of my professors have been actively involved in my academic success at LU, which has made this past year extremely rewarding for me. I now have a one-year-old and I am on track to commence my BEd in September 2015. With all that Lakehead University has to offer in addition to exceptional faculty and students, I am confident that I will graduate as a successful candidate in becoming what I have always dreamed of being—a teacher.