When Celina ten-Bohmer decided to pursue her master’s degree at UFV, she wasn’t sure how she would fit in, coming from an independent school teaching background.

But she found a welcoming environment where she felt safe opening herself up to new knowledge and experiences and sharing her perspectives.

And as she graduated from the Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Mentorship, she also received the Governor General’s Gold Medal, presented to the graduate who achieves the highest academic standing in a graduate degree program.

Ten-Bohmer teaches social studies and religion to Grade 10 to 12 students and is a member of the campus ministry team at St. John Brebeuf Catholic secondary school in Abbotsford.

Working with youth has been part of her life since her own youth days, and her enthusiasm for it led her to the profession of teaching.

“I was very involved in my church and school youth ministry. I enjoyed working with youth and had a gift for it. Eventually my love of working with youth led me to becoming a teacher.”

Both her parents were teachers who encouraged her to pursue leadership and administrative opportunities.

“I already had some leadership background as campus minister and resource department head. But I wanted to learn more about leadership.”

She found the two-year UFV Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Mentorship program very valuable for several reasons.

“Its focus on leadership and mentorship lined up with the type of leader I already was, but also provided room for growth.”

She also liked the fact that classes were offered in person, rather than online.

“I rave about this program to everyone,” she says. “They were very supportive of me.”

That support intensified when she gave birth to her first child, Juniper, during the program. Her mother would come to campus and tend to the baby in various spots around campus. Her professors and the other students provided advice and empathy.

“I was impressed by how supportive everyone was,” she notes.

For her capstone research project, ten-Bohmer looked at female leadership in Catholic secondary schools.

“It helped me learn a lot about myself as a person and a leader,” she notes. “I learned more about my faith and expanded that into my approach to leadership. The whole experience of getting a master’s degree provided a good opportunity for growth for me. My willingness to open myself up to new knowledge and experience rather than stay isolated in what I already know. Coming from a Catholic context into a secular learning community, I was blown away by how affirming and encouraging everyone was. UFV provided me with a wonderful opportunity to do that kind of learning.”

As for winning the Governor General’s Gold medal for earning the top marks (with a GPA of 4.26) in a graduate-level program?

“I was blown away when I heard that news,” she said. “I’m just so grateful for everyone how helped me achieve this.”