Susan Jones '12, B.A., Indigenous Studies, Peterborough, ON

Susan Jones knows how to inspire curiosity among her young students. She also knows a thing or two about balancing it all. As a parent of four boys and a full-time early childhood educator (ECE) with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, Susan came to Trent to earn a degree in Indigenous Studies. 

Desiring to become a teacher, Susan wanted to foster a deeper impact on students’ lives and create a learning environment that encourages the greatest success for her young learners. Now as a Bagnani Medal winner, awarded to students in the General program who achieve high overall standing on graduation, Susan explains how she successfully does it all.

“With a full-time job and a family, Trent offered a schedule that could work to accommodate me,” said Susan. “With guidance on how to do so, I was able to balance my everyday life with school and completed my degree in two years.”

In similarity to her role as an ECE, Susan believes her professors at Trent want to see their students succeed. She felt that Dr. Dan Longboat, director of the Indigenous Environmental Studies Program, was particularly inspirational to her as a teacher in training. “The words that Dr. Longboat spoke were evident in the person who he is,” Susan said. “He spoke of our duty we have while here on the earth to others and living things. He spoke on living a life that will have a positive effect on others.” 

This fall, Susan will be attending the Bachelor of Education program at Trent. After completing her B.Ed. she hopes to work in the Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program as a certified teacher within the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Reflective of Susan’s learning experience at Trent, her ultimate goal is to encourage young learners to grow in their understanding of the world they live in.

Scholarships received at Trent University:

• Professor Gilbert Bagnani Medal (2014)