On Wednesday, January
4th, 2017 at exactly 2:34p.m. my dreams of becoming An Elementary
School Teacher had finally come true!
I have
wanted to become an Elementary School Teacher ever since I was 8 years old. I
would always play “school” with my sister and my younger cousins... and of
course... I was the teacher! I was always interested in reading books, writing
stories, and creating pieces of art. My parents and family always fostered my
interests and supported my decisions so that I can continue doing the things
that I love most. One amazing thing I never forgot as a child was that they
gave me a Crayola crayon suitcase…I still have this suitcase today (see picture
below). Many great art pieces in my childhood were created with this and many
of our “school” days where I was “teaching” we used these crayons.
I even organized the colours by shade. Excellent organization skills since 8 years old!
At the end
of grade 3, our teacher wanted us to draw a picture of what we wanted to be
when we grew up so that she could put it in the yearbook for our class’s
section. Of course, this was a no brainer for me…I drew a picture of myself as
a teacher and what looks to be I am teaching mathematics at the time (see
picture below).
As soon as I
became a teenager I went to take a babysitting course so that I could begin a
career working with children. As a young adult, I attended college and obtained
my Early Childhood Education Diploma (With Honours). I knew teaching was my
passion and continued my education in obtaining my Bachelor of Child
Development Degree (With Honours) and my Bachelor of Education Degree (With Highest
Distinction). That day was one of the greatest days of my life. The moment I
walked across that stage marked the day I became an Ontario Certified Teacher
(see picture below).
I would not
have been able to accomplish all of that schooling plus the Additional
Qualification Courses and Certificates that followed, without the love and
support and guidance from my amazing family, amazing fiancé and amazing friends!
I am very thankful for each role you all have played in supporting my dreams of
becoming a Teacher!
After
graduation I became a Designated Early Childhood Educator for York Region
District School Board in a Kindergarten classroom so that I could gain valuable
experience until I was hired as a Teacher. I met many amazing educators who
guided me along the way. One of which, was my teaching partner Trista Dutt. She
did not just view me as an assistant, rather as an equal partner with valuable
skills and ideas. We worked together side by side to create a wonderful
learning environment for not only our students, but for all educators who were
part of our classroom and school community! Together we became one of York
Region District School Board’s Learning @ Schools Kindergarten Demonstration
Classrooms! This was only one of MANY amazing opportunities that I am so
grateful to have had the opportunity of being part of.
Now, I look
forward to what is in store for me within this Teaching role…and I absolutely
cannot wait!
“It takes a big heart
to teach little minds”
This quote
resonates with me because I feel that I have a big heart when it comes to
educating young minds and I care about the child as a whole. I always try to
ensure that my students feel welcomed, included, safe, and respected. I provide
learning opportunities that foster individual strengths, needs, interests, and
abilities. I believe in student centred education and that learning is
co-created between students and teachers. I believe in lifelong learning as we never
truly stop learning because we go through new experiences through our entire
lifespan.
