Education grad student weathers storms of life while completing degree

Christie Lepin’s contractions were becoming longer and more frequent, she was in active labour now and sitting with her husband in the parking lot of the hospital. Time to make a move to the maternity ward, but she had one last task to take care of.

There, done. With the click of a few buttons on her laptop, Lepin submitted her final paper for her Master of Education degree. Now, on to the baby.

On Tuesday, four months after that dramatic moment and the birth of Chloe, Lepin will receive her degree in convocation ceremonies at the University of Calgary. But the journey has not been easy for Lepin, who overcame a series of medical challenges in her family while working on the degree.

Lepin was accepted into the leadership program in 2011 but soon took a leave of absence to manage her oldest son Noah’s epilepsy. At the same time, she was contending with her second child Raine’s allergies and breathing problems, which were a result of his premature birth. Because of these complications she was understandably keen to complete her studies prior to the birth of her daughter.

Stepping back from her studies

“Watching your child struggle with seizures, being unable to breathe, wondering if they would recover has brought my family to our knees,” says Lepin. “Due to difficulty focusing on my studies amongst these health issues and the desire to be fully available to my children, it became clear to me that I needed to step back from finishing my master's.”

Lepin credits Werklund School of Education faculty members and graduate advisers for supporting her in this decision and for helping her ease back into the program.

“When I returned to my studies, two semesters later, we continued to face seizures with Noah, hospital visits with Raine and even a hip replacement surgery for my husband, but my determination to finish my degree grew with every paper handed in and every course completed.”

Quitting was never an option for Lepin, who found herself writing papers on buses, in the lunchroom and at hockey games before finally finishing up in that hospital parking lot. “I could see the impact my schooling was having on my students and I wanted to continue to grow professionally.”

A positive influence as mother, educator and life-long learner

Not surprisingly, Lepin, who worked as a literacy support teacher with School District 23 Central Okanagan until her maternity leave, views the completion of her master's degree through the dual lens of parent and teacher.

“I believe the accomplishment of finishing the program amongst a storm in my personal life has allowed me to know my own strength and believe that I can continue in my roles as mother, educator, and life-long learner.

“My advice to anyone going through this program is to keep your eye on the goal, put your family first, find balance for yourself and keep a sense of humour.”