Passion- I went into teaching because learning and education has always been a passion to me. Ever since I was a small child I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My driveway was my chalk bored, my cousins and brother were my students and books were part of our lessons. I wasn’t a very good teacher as a child because I made my “students” do math worksheets for the duration of the lesson. However, I felt happy to know that my students were older than me and still did their homework. I guess they were engaged!
The passion for teaching continued as I started working at Sunset Community Center where I was able to work with larger groups of children and youth. My first job as a teacher was two days after graduating with a Psychology degree and Counselling minor. I was teaching “Fun with Math” for Grades 1-2 and 2-3, “Art Start” for toddlers and parents, two sessions of “Play and Learn” for English as a second language learners (Kindergarten- Grade two) and Play Gym instructor. Here is where I knew teaching was defiantly where I wanted to be, even though coming up with lessons for six classes was a challenge in a span of two days. Nevertheless, after the first couple sessions it was easy to change up my units and start teaching by going with the flow of the students and their abilities.
Immersion- As I think of the word Immersion I think of my short practicum 401-402. I was entering a brand new school in a brand new area with brand new students and teachers to surround me. The only way to immerse myself was to get involved, start to swim with the students and not be a lifeguard. I dared greatly by tossing the fear out the door and teaching my first lesson on the second day on Math.
Not only was I swimming in my practicum, I began to take the plunge and actively involve myself in creating a PLN (Personal Learning Network). I started to participate in twitter chats with passionate educators. I was constantly learning and it felt like an online professional development day everyday.
To dive a little deeper I constantly have a book in my bag because I have a passion for reading and learning. Books that I was going back to over and over were “Teach like a Pirate” by Dave Burgees “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brene Brown and “Drive” by Daniel Pink.
In October, I was asked to speak at Kwantlen Polytechnic University on how passion got me into the teaching program. In November, I began to start blogging and sharing my learning with a bigger audience.
Events I went to as a student teacher were the Friends Workshop, Education Camp Delta, Anti Bullying Educators Dialogue Conference Vancouver, Deaf and Blind workshop and Ignite Your Passion in Couquitlam. I recently signed up for Education Camp Langley.
Rapport- My main concern when working with my new class was “how will they let a stranger who is me into their lives?” My School Associate had done a very good job of setting up his classroom where the rapport between the students and him was strong. I knew for 405 I would be taking over the classroom and rapport must be earned and built. I started with simple high fives every morning at the door. To spending quality time with students at recess and even taking a break to play basketball in the gym with students. I feel students feel a sense of trust and respect and get the same in return from me. I even started a leadership club at the school for students to celebrate being a part of the community of the school and actively involve themselves through events. Together we are currently working on a school wide carnival to take place after Spring Break.
As a student teacher rapport not only must be built with students but with your FA (Faculty Associate) and SA (School Associate). The triad must be strong and communication is key! I have the honour and privilege to have Nancy Pylypiuk and Ron Dorland as my mentors during this learning journey.
Ask and Analyze- The best part of Simon Fraser University’s Professional Development Program is the ability to ask questions without the fear of being judged or criticized. Our module is a village of its own where community is key! I appreciate students in our module being able to ask and analyze in a safe environment.
In terms of analyzing there is one word I must mention and that is REFLECTING, which is key! I went into this program fully equipped and prepared to reflect. I would like to thank Dr. Faith Auton Cuff from Kwantlen Polytechnic University who shared her love of reflecting with her students in the Counselling Minor. You really taught us “how to reflect” “ways to reflect” and reflecting was never a chore or frowned upon as another assignment. Instead, reflection was seen as a process to absorb and learn from.
Transformation The love for learning never disappeared as I was transformed by this experience. A program of my dreams that I wanted to be a part of since I started my university career and March 4th 2014 (the day I was accepted) I knew this program would make my dreams become a reality. The person I was prior to entering the PDP program has changed because of what I have been immersed with. Transformation has occurred due to having many amazing mentors, asking questions and analyzing my teaching and pedagogy, reshaping my personal credo and constant reflection. I love the learning transformation on my journey in becoming a teacher.
Enthusiasm – My wish is the enthusiasm of teaching and learning I have now never disappears. I am enthusiastic about the career I have chosen and the journey and future that is ahead of me!
The most enthusiastic part of this journey so far is being surrounded by passionate educators such as all the students in the C3 Module (#SFUC3) , Nancy Pylypiuk and Jonathan Vervaet the C3 Faculty Associates, Ron Dorland my School Associate, Sheila Rawnsley who helped me in understanding inquiry based learning through a HACE unit plan, Dave Burgees the author of Teach Like a Pirate, Shelly Burgees author P is for Pirate, Brene Brown, who has no idea how much she has impacted me, the staff and administrators at Clayton who have showed me what a village looks and feels like, my past teachers who have helped in moulding me into the person I am today, Chris Wejr who helped me in making my decision to set up twitter via skype with C3 and first to comment on my first blog “Practice Kindness, Hugh McDonald who I will get to collaborate my class with via Skype for our Literature Circles, Erica Huang who I met via twitter and blogging thank you for keeping me updated with anti-bullying events, Carol Todd who I had an amazing conversation with at the educators dialogue, Darren Mitzel a principal I met at the anti-bullying educators dialogue workshop who presented me with the winning IPad and met again at our table at Ignite, Jodie Sussex for reminding us to be daring educators and remembering me at Ed-camp-Delta, my amazing PLN who I am constantly learning from on a daily basis, and family and friends who constantly support me and the journey I have taken into becoming a teacher. I thank you ALL!