Hello! My name is Revelyn Reid, but most people call me by my nickname, âRevy.â I was born in the Philippines and proudly identify as Asian. Growing up in a small, close-knit community was a truly special experience. Most of our neighbours were family (cousins, aunties, and grandparents) which created a sense of belonging and connection that shaped who I am today.
I am the fourth of five siblings, with two sisters and two brothers. Life with my siblings was filled with laughter, adventure, and countless cherished moments. Together, we created memories that still bring me joy whenever I think back to them.
While these memories sometimes make me feel a pang of homesickness, they are a source of comfort and gratitude. They remind me of the deep bonds we share and the knowledge that I am always welcome to return to visit whenever I wish. My roots ground me, and my familyâs warmth continues to inspire and humble me, no matter where life takes me.
My parents are farmers, and even today, they continue to farm with unwavering dedication. I am beyond proud of them, not just for their hard work but for the remarkable feat of sending all five of us to university full-time without ever taking a loan. Every tuition fee was paid from the earnings of the farm, a testament to their perseverance and determination.
Neither of my parents completed a formal degree. Both only attended elementary school before setting out to work at a young age. My dad chose farming, while my mom worked as a nanny in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. They were married through an arranged marriage, a tradition where their parents agreed they should wed without them ever meeting beforehand. Though unconventional by todayâs standards, their lucky stars aligned, and now, decades later, they are still happily married with seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Farming was, and remains, grueling manual labor. Back then, machinery was scarce, and my dad often relied on water buffalo for ploughing and harvesting. Growing up, I spent countless days helping with the harvest – corn, tobacco, watermelon, peanuts, tomatoes, and more. Some of my best childhood memories are tied to those harvests. I vividly recall my siblings and me climbing atop a pile of watermelons and sliding down to the bottom. It wasnât smooth, and often it hurt, but it was pure joy.
Harvesting tobacco, however, was my least favorite. The sticky black tar on our fingers and the pungent smell made it unbearable. Perhaps thatâs why none of my siblings or I ever picked up smoking!
I also cherish the close-knit community where I grew up. It was small but filled with warmth and support. I will never forget my university graduation day when most of the community came to watch me walk across the stage. Their cheers filled my heart to the brim. Many brought gifts, big and small, but what overwhelmed me most was their genuine pride and happiness for my success. Even now, I feel immense gratitude for being part of a community that celebrated milestones together.
Thanks to my parentsâ sacrifices, all five of us siblings graduated from the universities of our choice. My mom and dad respected our individual decisions regarding our courses and institutions, a freedom I deeply appreciate. I earned my Bachelor of Education, majoring in Mathematics, from the University of Saint Louis in 2004. In the Philippines, becoming a teacher requires passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) before applying for any teaching position. I became a licensed teacher before moving to Canada, carrying with me a strong foundation and the values instilled by my family and upbringing.
In May 2007, my plane touched down in Vancouver, BC, marking the beginning of my new life in Canada. The journey was long, my first-ever plane ride and my first time leaving the Philippines. From Vancouver, I transferred to a smaller plane bound for Edmonton, then hopped on a five-hour bus ride to a place called Grande Prairie. I had come to Canada as a contract worker, but my job wasn’t in teaching; instead, I worked as a gas jockey and a store clerk. Yes, I had left my teaching career in the Philippines behind to seek a better future in Canada.
My sister had moved to Canada a few years before me as a nanny, and she worked for an employer who owned a convenience store with a gas bar. They were struggling to keep employees, so they decided to bring in overseas workers like me. I signed a two-year contract to work with them.
Upon my arrival, the temperature shock was immediate. I had left the Philippines at 40°C, and landed in Vancouver, where it was only 15°C. My first task was to go through my sisterâs closet to find some warmer clothing. Despite her reassurance that it was “spring” in Canada and the weather was warm, I quickly disagreed. I ended up wearing a toque, wool socks, and a lined sweater all through the summer. My sisterâs friends even thought I might have a skin condition because I was so bundled up, but the truth was, I was just an Asian woman trying to adjust to the Canadian climate.
My job at the convenience store didnât start until after the Victoria Day long weekend. My sisterâs employer, who was now my employer too, owned a ranch, and they took me there for the day. It was beautiful, and I was amazed by the vast, open scenery that I had only ever seen in movies. We hiked, rode a wagon, and built a fire, truly a fun and memorable first Victoria Day in Canada.
The next day, my sister and my employer trained me at the store. Reality set in when I was tasked with pumping fuel for my first customer and cleaning his windows and lights. No more classrooms, no more blackboards. I was now officially a gas jockey.
At first, my impression of Canadians was positive. My employers were kind and offered me accommodations. Most of the customers were friendly as well, but not all. One day, during my training, I rushed out to greet a customer at the gas pump, just as I had been instructed. I asked how much fuel she needed, and to my surprise, she responded harshly: âDonât touch my car, because I bet you canât afford it.â That was my first encounter with such a cold tone.
Another day, a customer pulled in and asked for $50 worth of fuel. To confirm, I asked, â5-0, not 1-5?â because the two numbers sound so similar. Instead of simply confirming, he snapped back, â50, donât you f*cking understand English?â I wanted to cry right then and there, but I held back the tears. I realized that working in retail meant dealing with difficult customers, and I had to accept that as part of the job.
After finishing my initial contract, I decided to sign on for another yearâwhy not? By then, I had earned the position of night supervisor. It was around this time that I met Cody, my now-husband. We began dating, and soon after, we rented a mobile home close to my work, since I didnât yet have a driverâs license. Fast forward a bit: we bought a house, got married, adopted a dog, and I took on new roles as the general manager and bookkeeper at the store.
To further my skills, my employer sent me to Grande Prairie College for some courses to help with my job. Meanwhile, my husband worked in the oil industry, on a rotating schedule of fifteen days on and six days off. The routine was going well for a while, but as time passed, I began to miss the classroom.
Although I liked my job, it wasnât where my heart was. I am not a “cubicle person.” I didn’t enjoy being in front of a computer all day, especially without the interaction of others. As a bookkeeper and general manager, I was making good money, but I wasnât happy. The work was demanding, and I was always “on-call.” I couldnât even take a weekend off without having to worry about calls coming in. If I was away, I had to ensure there was a good cell reception wherever I went. I was tethered to my phone 24/7, answering calls as soon as they came in.
Eventually, I realized that I needed a change. I decided to apply for a position as an Educational Assistant at the local community school. This turned out to be my true calling. Even though the pay was lower than what I had been making, the joy I found in my work was immeasurable. The new job brought me the flexibility I needed to spend more time with Cody and our dog, and it was a bonus that my niece and nephew were both students at the same school.
In this new chapter, Iâve had the chance to forge strong connections with my colleagues, and I absolutely love working with the primary students. Seeing the studentsâ progress each day reignited my passion for education. I now feel that Iâm making a real impact in their lives.
Life at home has improved too. I now have the weekends free to spend time with my niece and nephew, whether it’s watching movies, playing at the park, or taking our dog on walks and road trips. Cody and I also make sure to plan things when heâs off work. Winter weekends are spent sledding, tobogganing, and cross-country skiing with the kids, while summer brings camping trips, paddle boarding, hiking, and more outdoor adventures.
Looking back, I can say with certainty that Iâve found my balance. Iâve found fulfillment in my career and happiness in my personal life. The change has been worth it, and I am truly grateful for the path that led me here.
When I was living in Alberta, I had always wanted to go back to school to become a teacher, but the university was too far from where I lived. It wasnât until last year, when I accepted an Educational Assistant position at College Heights Secondary School, that I decided to move to BC. I was both nervous and excited. With just two weeks to pack up and relocate, I was about to start a new job and a new chapter of my life.
My experience at College Heights was incredibly rewarding. My colleagues were welcoming and easy to talk to, and the students were respectful and diligent. One of the teachers I worked closely with shared how grateful he was for the positive impact I had on his students. He mentioned that he had noticed significant improvements in the students’ performance throughout the semester, and hearing that was incredibly fulfilling. It felt like a flashback to the days in my home community in the Philippines, where I had seen similar changes in the lives of those I worked with. That moment filled me with joy and happiness.
Today, I am a teacher candidate at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), pursuing a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with a major in mathematics. This is it for meâIâm committed to becoming an educator, and I will do whatever it takes to make that dream a reality. Teaching is not just a profession for me; itâs my passion, my calling, and itâs who I am.