Nate Fromson Core Competency Reflection CLC 12
Personal Awareness & Responsibility
Strengths:
1. I can set goals, regulate my emotions, and persevere in difficult situations
Starting to learn the guitar was incomprehensible. Not once have I done anything similar to playing
the guitar, using my fingers in such a way was probably the most challenging feat that I’ve
accomplished. I continue to challenge myself with guitar by learning new technique, a solo, or a new
song. My goal setting skills never let me quit learning the guitar, piano, or the bass. Despite immense
frustration it was a tough journey that stands as a rite of passage for any aspiring musician.
2. I can express my needs and seek help when needed
I recently underwent a promotion in my workplace and am in the process of learning a ton of new
things! It’s very complicated and a lot to take in initially but when I ask questions and always double
check, things can’t go wrong. During the process of my promotion, I expressed what I needed as an
employee and as a student in high school. I had a very well received phone call with the regional
manager and expressed my concerns with the situation of hours, pay, and other related things at my
workplace.
Weakness:
I am learning to take care of myself
In a relationship I tend to look out for my significant other more than I do myself. A lot of my issues
can be clouded by my friends’ problems that I feel the need to fix more than mine. Confronting my
issues has always been hard for me and I’ve never really done it. To me, caring about others is worth
more than caring for yourself but in certain situations I have to realize when I need to look out for me.
Social Responsibility
Strengths:
1. I have positive peer and intergenerational relationships
I am a very friendly person and I fill my social circle with other friendly people. I tend to seek out
people who won’t cause issues for me or other members of my circle. This has resulted in me being
surrounded with a likeminded group of people who I can really trust and confide in. When I was
young, my mother worked full time despite me being in school and completely reliant on her. The
struggles of growing up with a single mom resulted in me being passed around to daycares etc. all the
time. Being surrounded by adults while growing up in my developmental years really made me feel
comfortable with adults and I continue to have relationships with people far out of my age range.
Nate Fromson Core Competency Reflection CLC 12
2. I value diversity, defend human rights, advocate for others, and act ethically in all my
interactions, including online
One time I was working, and an anti-masker came to shop, when I asked to put on his mask, he
grabbed one from his pocket and strapped it around his head because he is such a comedian. A
customer who witnessed his buffoonery was outspoken about her disapproval. The anti-masker
continued to have a little meltdown in Bulk Barn in front of multiple families. The things he said was
disgusting and before this moment I haven’t even heard these words spoken in public. He attacked her
race, weight, beliefs, etc. Despite the store being in shock and not saying much, I was in my till
repetitively asking him to leave. The only thing that was restricting me from saying what I was really
thinking was the bulk barn logo on my t-shirt.
Weakness:
I am aware of my community and caring for the environment
In my life I’ve always been taught to reduce reuse and recycle, I made sure to follow these rules for the
good of the world. My mindset has always been with recycling but working at Bulk Barn is a different
story. The amount of plastic we waste is disgusting. One use plastic is how Bulk Barn operates. I
battled an internal conflict with the issue regarding plastic at Bulk Barn, I thought how could I do
better? The answer was that I couldn’t. There are over 200 stores in Canada and the store I work at is
one of the smallest ones operating. Some stores are near the size of a grocery store and if I changed
anything I did at bulk barn, I would lose my job. Only quitting will take this moral weight off my
shoulders.
Critical Thinking
Strengths:
1. I can analyze and make defensible judgments, draw conclusions, and consider a variety of
perspectives
Before I conclude on a thought of mine, I am sure to consider other perspectives including how what I
conclude will affect others, if I don’t act I’ll consider how that affects them as well. I pride myself in my
ability to have good judgement and for a lot of my decisions I will get input from my trusted people.
2. I can explore and create new ways to represent my learning around a variety of problems
events issues and needs
Last semester I chose to stay home for a large portion of the 2nd half of the semester. This resulted in
me having to find new ways to complete projects. All the things I did from home were either video
based or graphically designed using technology. The work I produced is what I’m most proud of this
school year, I even went to the mall to interview people about COVID!
Nate Fromson Core Competency Reflection CLC 12
Weakness:
I understand the purpose of my work and consider my audience
Figuring out the “why” in assignments has always been a struggle for me. When I create, it’s to usually
amuse me but I’m not so sure if other audiences feel the same way with everything I make. For
example, in English 12 in semester 1 I made a hamlet video of the entire play dumbed down into the
form of a vlog. I thought it was hilarious, the content was full of jokes that only I pretty much
understand.
Creative Thinking
Strengths:
1. I can use the environment around me, including others, and my unconscious mind to generate
new ideas
Like previously stated, my Hamlet vlog project was made up on the spot with whatever I could find to
use around me. I borrowed a multitude of props from the drama studio and cracked out a whole script
of the entire play of hamlet squashed into around 4 minutes of easily digestible chaos.
2. I can persevere and understand that failure can be productive
Drama class is not friendly to anyone, the assignments are hardcore and if you don’t have the lines
memorized by performance date you will not get an extension. Instead, you will go on stage and recite
what you know. Sometimes what you know may be nothing, you’ll leave the stage feeling the most
embarrassed you have in your entire life. This strict rule Sidhu uses keeps the actors/students in check
with real world deadlines. If you miss deadlines in the real world like in a career or even if you pursue
acting, then late is unacceptable and you must face the consequences.
Weakness:
I can take my ideas, evaluate them, develop, and refine them and make something productive
out of them
This one is a little tricky and that’s because I do in fact do this, it’s just my method upon going at how
to do it. Again, bringing up the hamlet vlog. The scenes I filmed and the dialogue was a lot of just
whatever worked at the time. Since I was in such a time crunch, I didn’t have time to go over my ideas
thoroughly and it resulted in me using things that came off the top of my head. Not to say it didn’t
work out though.
Nate Fromson Core Competency Reflection CLC 12
Communication
Strengths:
1. I can listen, learn to contribute meaningfully to discussion and debate, consider different
perspectives, and build consensus
In law and social justice, we debate with our classmates as a common way to practice communication.
Our final assignment in law was to perform a proper court session. Only speak when allowed to,
follow court rules, of course this is much more extreme, but it gave students insight on the basic
fundamentals of respectful debate and how to come to consensus with the “other party”.
2. I can work with other students to plan, inquire and solve problems
In the R.E. Mountain improv team we have to collaborate all the time. Improv is about collaboration
and one thing can mess everyone up no matter how little or how many people you have on stage.
That’s why troubleshooting our scenes after we practice them is super beneficial to improving and it
gives students the skill of troubleshooting things which is very valuable once you’re on your own.
Weakness:
I can reflect on the processes of learning and share what I have learned
I mean that’s what this assignment is, is it not? As I thought this, I realized… this is probably the only
time I’ve ever thought of these old assignments and viewed them as what I’ve gained from the
teachings. Sure, when I’m directed to connect sentences to schoolwork I will, it’s a matter of if I’ve
done that freely before.
Personal & Cultural Identity
Strengths:
1. I understand that culture is a broad concept that includes things like my geographic region,
nationality, sex/gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, language and religion.
This is what R.E. Mountain should pride itself over. The student awareness we have at Mountain is
almost celebratory. The inclusivity of all cultures has not only allowed for more accepting people but
also it teaches people about other cultures. The enormous displays in the gallery are just an example
on how well Mountain educates their students and informs them about all culture
2. I understand what I value has and will shape my choices
Before my grade 12 year started I went through a falling out with my friends. I valued another group
of people that accepted me more and I was in the process of leaving a friend group that I had grown
out of. Of course, it got ugly. Besides the point, when I was faced with the question of seeing all my ex-
friends in drama and theatre company and having every possible awkward opportunity I didn’t fold on
my plans to do those things. Even though it would be incredibly awkward (it is) I knew that what I
would find in those classes is more valuable then saving a few awkward conversations.
Nate Fromson Core Competency Reflection CLC 12
Weakness:
I can define myself in terms of my relationship to others and the world
From a young age I have always let me define who I am. I didn’t let judgement get to me even though I
was different from everyone else and I’m pretty sure it was because of how well defined I made myself
be. I knew (know) who I was and what I wanted to do as soon as my mind was able to comprehend
that stuff. Certain cases of bullying have been roadblocks but I never let anyone deter me and who I
am.
