Doctoral Reflections

To the student who thinks they can’t – You Can

To the teacher who just wants to give up – You’re Essential

To the leader who feels stuck – Grow

The Final Click

Last week I clicked submit on my Doctor of Education thesis at the University of Toronto. It was a surreal feeling that was 4, no more like 33 years in the making. As I reflect on the emotions from finishing the program, the work along the way, and the journey that God has guided me on throughout my life in education, I want to share two things:

Appreciation for the people who joined me on the journey
Encouragement for the students, teachers, and leaders who are struggling right now

Not Interested in a Doctorate

In 2021 God spoke to me and said, “Get a doctorate to lead the schools that I want you to lead”. This was a bit of a surprise because I had always been intimidated by doctoral degrees. The thought of writing a thesis made my palms sweat. No way was this ‘message from God’ intended for me, return to sender, goodnight. But the same message kept coming. I started to realize that it was for me. And when God speaks, it’s wise to listen.

It turns out that God didn’t just want me to get a doctorate. He wanted me to learn from the best at the University of Toronto. From 2022-2026 I grew as a learner and leader through the International Educational Leadership and Policy Program at the University of Toronto. Throughout the program God guided me to the thesis topic of “Leadership Practices Which Improve Private K-12 International School Culture”. If you’d like to hear more about my research, send me a message, I could put a caffeinated baby to sleep talking about it. This deep dive into what international school leaders do to improve their cultures helped me to grow from an international schools enthusiast to an expert.

Encouragement for Students

You’re going to be told plenty of things by your teachers, parents, and family members in regards to your studies. The positive comments are valuable. The negative ones typically are not. Negativity, the labels and boxes people put you in don’t define you, God does. Here are a few comments that I heard as a student:

“You’re going to struggle in high school because you take so long on tests”
“You’re going to struggle to pass in university because exams are timed”
“You can’t get into this masters program because you don’t have masters experience”

Plenty of ‘well-meaning’ people said things that I carried with me. But God had other plans.

I was an 80s student in high school who didn’t have much academic confidence. I found essays really challenging. Math looked like an alien language in every class after Grade 9. I was not at the top of my class, in fact, I wasn’t the top of any class other than physical education.

I was a B student in my undergrad who struggled to attend early morning classes. But, I didn’t give up when classes were challenging, I found a tutor, I asked questions when I didn’t know the answer, and slowly I started to believe that I could do it. Most importantly, God helped me through and gave me a passion for international education along the way! He gave me favor in the eyes of professors and helped me to have success through Bachelor and Master of Education degrees at the University of New Brunswick and a Doctor of Education degree at the University of Toronto.

Everyone’s story is unique. But if I’ve learned any lessons to share with students they are as follows: Who you are today doesn’t define you and the difficult parts of your studies today will not be as difficult in the future. You can do it. It gets better. Find your thing and go all in!

Encouragement for Teachers

I feel like a blanket statement to any teacher who taught me is in order: I’m sorry. No I’m just kidding, though I’m sure there are a few who appreciate the apology, I would really like to say Thank You! Thank you for the part that you played refining me. Whether helping me to grow socially and emotionally, in my faith, or as a learner, it all added up. Your efforts, lesson plans, jokes, recess duties, events, coaching, and kindness all contributed to this degree. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

As a student I didn’t understand all of the work and patience that it took to do your job well. But now, with the gift of years invested as an educator, I am beginning to understand. Thank you for persevering, for being kind, for planning late into the night, for providing valuable feedback, for having the extra conversation, and for showing up. It all added up. Thank you!

If you’re a teacher who just wants to give up. If it’s too much. If yet another policy change is getting you down. If the PD is repeating itself yet again this year. If the parents are out for blood. Know that you are essential. Whether based on research or personal experience, there is no change, no empowerment, no support, and no perseverance without you. You are essential, hang in there!

Encouragement for Leaders

Thank you to the leaders who supported the hospitable learning environments that I experienced growing up in Sackville, New Brunswick. I look back on my school days fondly. Thank you for curating the safe and positive school environments which enabled curiosity and growth.

If you’re a school leader who is reading this and you feel stuck, I’m with you. I’ve been there. Maybe the district budget is tighter than ever, the students have ‘changed’, the teachers are burnt out, or you’re just not as excited to go to work as you used to be. I hear you.

For me, the solution was growth. I could either accept my current situation or find a way to grow. Find a mentor, take a class, start a program – even if it makes your palms sweat just thinking about it. You’re not stuck, it’s time to grow!

Thank You!

There are far too many people to thank in one article and I know that I will inevitably leave people out, but I’m going to try my best to say THANK YOU to the friends, teachers, and mentors who helped me along on the journey to complete this doctorate.

First, I would like to thank God for guiding, giving favor, and blessing my studies.
My wife and best friend, Tami. You have made this academic adventure possible. You have encouraged and inspired me to finish what God put in my heart to start. Princess Arella and mighty Samson, thanks for being my kids. I am proud of you and excited to see how God uses you to share the good news of Jesus with the world.
My parents, Andy & Beth-Anne Marr. The best parents anyone could ask for. Your legacy of hard work and intentional parenting has opened many of life’s doors for me. I would not be here without you. Thank you for your prayer, encouragement, and dependability. I love you.
My siblings Kiahna, Isaiah, and Elijah. Thank you for walking through life together, I am thankful for and proud of each of you. I am excited to see the many adventures that you experience in your lives and the various ways that you excel and grow!
My mother-in-law, Lyne Gionet. Your words of affirmation while at UNB graduation in 2015 have resonated in my ears during many of the long nights in this degree. “Wow a doctorate, that’s got to be a lot of work. You know, you’re smart, I bet you could do a doctorate. Why don’t you do one of those?”
My sister and brother-in-law, Brittany & Arthur Teal. Your generosity and example of hard work in service to your community as New Brunswick’s most advanced care paramedics is so greatly appreciated.
Mama, you have always been encouraging of my career in education and studies. Thank you for believing in me and for sharing so many stories about your life’s adventures.
Papa, you inspired me with your 60 years of service to the field of technology education and teacher training in the province of Nova Scotia. Growing up you were one of the only people I knew with a Master’s degree. I lauded this level of academic accomplishment and wished to someday be a master of education myself. Thank you for inspiring me!
Daryl & Francis Marr, for your example of incredible hard work to make the farm in Cornhill, New Brunswick into the nicest in the province.
My supervisor Dr. Karen Mundy and committee members, Dr. Caroline Manion and Dr. Joseph Flessa at OISE, University of Toronto. Thank you for believing in me and for the rigor that you contributed to this work.
Phenomenal mentors including Dr. Brian Modarelli, Stephen Ladas, Karen Conwell, Dr. David Wells, Jason Vienneau, Jon McAloon, Kent Warkentin, and Tim Shuman. I have been blessed to learn from your wisdom and the generous sharing of your time. Here’s to more years of learning ahead.
Dr. Kyle Joudry, for sharing your valuable experience and helping me to strengthen my IELP program application.
Dr. Kiel Nation, for being an ‘iron sharpening’ brother in the world of international schools.
Classmates in the IELP EdD program. In particular, Adam McGregor, Gioia Morasch, Tulsi Griffiths, Andrew Keleher, Iffat Razzaque, Samra Sheikh, and Rebecca Chen. Thank you for checking in, providing encouragement, and sharing your experiences. I couldn’t have reached this point without you.
OISE Librarian, Jeneya Webb for your support in learning about systematic reviews which was a springboard for this research.
My research participants for sharing your expertise.
My many students around the world from Canada, Hong Kong, Thailand, Brazil, China, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, USA, Iran, India, Japan, Vietnam, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. I am not a teacher without you. I am proud of each of you! Thank you for what you taught me about the world and your wonderful cultures. A special shoutout to my Roots Groups, Tribe classes, Advisory classes, and basketball teams.
The incredible international school leaders that I visited during my Adventure Year: Dr. Jeremy Majeski, Colm Flanagan, Nick Alchin, Dr. Paul Fochtman, Michael Moimoi, Dr. David Lovelin, Dr. Paul Magnuson, Gillian Donnelly, Gabriel Di Mauro, Nick Seward, Gayle Renken, Seppie Myburgh, Michaela Seeger, Lauren Mehrbach, Dr. Allan Morrison, Cory Dickson, Karla Cienfuegos, Jason & Joanne Son, Tim Michalek, Dr. Sheldon Nord, and James Stenning.
Dr. Lyle Hamm and Dr. David Wagner from the University of New Brunswick. Thank you for your support during my time at UNB, I deeply appreciate the references you provided to bolster my application to the University of Toronto.
FCA family: Dana & Lindsey Budovitch, Joel Griffin, Dave & Chrissy Vance, Ashton Clarke, John Hunt, Gord Wilson, Keshia Matthews, Sarah Jane Bishop, Lucas Candy, Jody Ward, Sandra Amos, Kristen Hoogland, Meta Babin, Sue Lambropoulos, Michelle Livingstone, Bethany MacDonald, Melinda Keays, Ben LeBrun, Scott Robertson, Joanna Moore, Sarah Duguid, Randy & Beth Fox, Angela Dillon-MacGregor, Carol Jean Longworth, Darci Salerno, and Molly Smith.
ICS Hong Kong family: Will Schroeder, Rachel Epperson, Trevor Jones, Rebecca Vuong, Sanet Lombard, Micah & Erika Mauer, Scottie & Christine Poole, Justin & Robin Schortgen, Mark & Leah Schussler, Ryan & Katherine Vogel, Tim Cresswell, Brian & Tara Modarelli, Brian & Tina Hazlett, Shannon & Carol White, Wade & Kate Simons, Denny Yau, John & Shelly Polk, Greg & Tammy Cole, Mike & Vicky VanderKoi, Jen & Gordon Yip, Ken Hardy, Lester & Karen Whenuaroa, Keith Welch, Liz Hutchinson.
ICS Bangkok family: Taylor & Katelyn Shockey, Will & Shaina Gill, Peter & Beth Burgett, Dan & Natalie Pinsent, Karen & Stephen Ladas, Stephen & Kamee Ladas, Luc & Jen Lemley, Scott Hayden, Manny Low, Chris & Roe McLatcher, Jeff & Nicole Cipriano, Amber & Nate Quick, Mike Aust, Michael Holden, Mark & Allyssa Cooprider, James & Nok Julo, John Fang, Dustin & Jasmine Fromm, Jason Glass.
UNB education friends, Shea Nordheim, Brittany LeBlanc, Erika Strimbold, Deidra Dunn, Chad Denny, and Hannah Williston.
BEd practicum teachers, Tim Randall, Matt Buntain, Julie MacKay, and Aaron Cardon.
My Fredericton parents Kevin & Eleanor Curtis. Thank you for your sacrifice and ministry.
Mack House family at UNB, Jayne Veinotte, Dr. Jacob Hambrook, Noah Clark, Andrea Mayo, Alexa MacDonald, Jesse Benwell, Marc Boucher, Byron MacDonald, and Addie Perkins.
Montgomery Street Elementary School PE teacher, Curry Steeves, for establishing an open door policy with me to learn from you.
Great friends from so many stages Michael Vickruck, Logan Crossman, Andrew & Jacquelin Crossman, Jordan Irvine, William Delong, Mark Keezer, Lisa Sewell, Aaron & Megan Hopkins, Josh & Bryanne Mior, Daniel & Natalie Mansvelt, Christina & Peter Wheeler, Julia & Parker Davis, Mike Tower, Andrew Steeves, Alex Phinney, Pat Sloan, Emily Stubbert, Lindsy Niles, Tim Gascoigne, Adams & Kaitlyn Townsend, Corey & Jessica Stultz, Matt Robertson, Adam Benson, Justin Benson, Josh MacLoed, Aaron Smith, Alex Stocek, Joel Steeves, Dr. Matt Grant, Christiana Steeves, Marc MacDougall, Jaime Ward, Matthew Vickruck, Will McFee, Robert Linton, Dan Quirion, Lonzel Lowe, and Mike Suffield, Hayden Nurse, Tristan Kean, CJ Curtis, Nicholas Jarche, Dean Hicks, Alex Hicks, Max Jensen, Mike Trenholm, Tyler Phinney, and Christian Phinney.
My youth pastor, Robin Burley, for helping me to develop a personal faith in Jesus.
Camp Wildwood leadership Geoff Brace, and Terry & Rachel O’Brien for encouraging and supporting me as a wild teenager. Camp key to my leadership development.
Church family at Middle Sackville, Vernon & Sharon Vickruck, Dan & Lisa Steeves, Barb & Roland Crossman, Barb & Allen Phinney, Adam & Yoshiko Christie, Bob & Joan Caldwell, Mark Reece, Curtis & Carol Wood, Andrew & Mary Ellen Nurse, Perry Eldridge, Kenny Steeves, and Ross & Rhonda Trenholm.
Basketball coaches Brent Baker and Andrew Stanley.
My favorite teachers at Tantramar Regional High School, Marshview Middle School, and Salem Elementary School: Linda Smith-McCormack, Mark Eagles, Nathaniel Miller, Jon Estabrooks, Marc Eagles, Mme. Purdie-Weir, Mme. Plourde, and Christie Estabrooks. Thank you for your patience and care during my formative years.
School leaders who made an impact: Mr. Hopkins, Mrs. Murray-Barker, Don McCormack, and Dr. Ann Sherman.