My Teaching Bio
With my parents at U of A Convocation
I am a home town girl, born and raised right here in Bonnyville, Alberta. I attended Duclos School as an elementary student myself, and have had the privilege of working with some amazing educators who I have looked up to over the years as both a student and now as a teacher!
After graduating from Bonnyville Centralized High School in 2001, I attended the University of Alberta. I completed my student teaching at St. Angela and St. Charles Elementary Schools in Edmonton before graduating with my Bachelor of Education in 2005. I fully expected to work as a substitute teacher for at least a year or two following graduation, but as luck would have it, I came across a job posting for a part-time position at Duclos School in the summer of 2005, and the rest, as they say is history! Over the past 9 years, I have had the opportunity to teach at all of the grade levels in our school, both as a substitute and as a home room teacher, and I am happy to have the opportunity to be back teaching in kindergarten, with my amazing Kindergarten Team!
After graduating from Bonnyville Centralized High School in 2001, I attended the University of Alberta. I completed my student teaching at St. Angela and St. Charles Elementary Schools in Edmonton before graduating with my Bachelor of Education in 2005. I fully expected to work as a substitute teacher for at least a year or two following graduation, but as luck would have it, I came across a job posting for a part-time position at Duclos School in the summer of 2005, and the rest, as they say is history! Over the past 9 years, I have had the opportunity to teach at all of the grade levels in our school, both as a substitute and as a home room teacher, and I am happy to have the opportunity to be back teaching in kindergarten, with my amazing Kindergarten Team!
My Teaching Philosophy
Education is not the filling of a pail but rather the lighting of a fire. - William Butler Yeates
All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have equal opportunity to develop our talents. - John F. Kennedy
Teaching is truly my life's passion. I love working with children and helping them to foster a love of learning. I find it both challenging and gratifying to help children to discover and develop their talents and abilities. I believe that children learn best when they are given the opportunity to explore and to make meaningful connections between what is being taught, to their own lives. When these connections are made, fuel is added to the fire as children discover the relevance and excitement of becoming life long learners. Teachable moments are seized at every opportunity.
I believe that my job is much more than teaching the required curriculum. It is my responsibility to ensure that all children feel safe, cared for, and see themselves as valuable members of the classroom and school community. Treating people with fairness does not mean that all people should be treated the same. Every child has their own unique personality, interests and talents and each child should have the opportunity to experience success and to be a leader in their own unique way. Within every child, there are true leadership qualities that can be found and nurtured. Leadership is not a position, but rather a way of living and leading one's own life; it is doing what is right when no one is watching.
Fun Facts About Me!
Diving in Jasper, Alberta with my dad
- Airports aside, I like to travel, and often find myself heading west to Vancouver Island to visit with family and friends. In the next few years, I hope to travel back to Cuba and Vegas, visit the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Maritimes, Ireland and hopefully go to Australia for the first time to meet up with some old friends!
- I have my PADI Open Water SCUBA certification
- I love to go downhill and cross country skiing, and am excited to try more snowshoeing over the winter months! I'm not a big fan of winter, but when you live in northern Alberta, I guess you better make the most of what Mother Nature gives you!
- If I wasn't teaching, I would love to be an interior designer/architect
- Our principal, Mr. Cameron, was my homeroom teacher in Grades 5 and 6 right here at Duclos School!
- I have my PADI Open Water SCUBA certification
- I love to go downhill and cross country skiing, and am excited to try more snowshoeing over the winter months! I'm not a big fan of winter, but when you live in northern Alberta, I guess you better make the most of what Mother Nature gives you!
- If I wasn't teaching, I would love to be an interior designer/architect
- Our principal, Mr. Cameron, was my homeroom teacher in Grades 5 and 6 right here at Duclos School!