The Village of Gagetown (image: http://www.villageofgagetown.ca/)
Once upon a time...
I was raised in an environment that provided me with the opportunity to view the education system from a variety of standpoints. My grandmother was a professor at McGill University and my grandfather was a principal at his local high school. My father is a classroom teacher and a coach and I have been fortunate enough to be both taught and coached by him. He has been a central source of my inspiration to pursue this career. My mother works for the Department of Education and each day she puts forth devotion and energy of a magnitude that I have not witnessed in another person, she too has been a constant motivator.
Educational Endeavors
As a student learner, I have discovered both motivation and dedication and I have held onto these attributes throughout the course of my life. The first decision I ever made about my own education was to participate in the French Immersion program in sixth grade and to continue on with it throughout high school and into my university career.
Once in university, the decisions I was expected to make about my own education were numerous. I worked diligently over during the four years of my undergraduate degree and attained a high grade point average, I am especially proud that this placed me on the Dean’s list numerous times.
The final year of my undergrad, in 2012, I made the decision to partake in the honours program in Sociology. I completed an Honours thesis that explored youth participation in extracurricular activities, in particular sports, and the risky lifestyle choices that it often leads to. My objective was to provide coaches within the school system with a different perspective on athletic participation and a better understanding that preventative measures are sometimes necessary. My honours thesis is another aspect of my education that I am exceptionally proud of and I have attached a copy of it to this web-portfolio.
Additionally, at my graduation ceremony in May 2012, I was one of the two Sociology students at the University of New Brunswick that graduated with First Class Honours, this is another accomplishment that I am proud of.
In June 2013, I completed my Bachelor of Education at St. Thomas University, specialising in Elementary Education.
While at St. Thomas, I studied all of the available French Second Language methodology courses. I also took an English as a Second Language course that significantly broadened my understanding of language development. I cherish my Bachelor of Education and the opportunity that I had to learn and grow under the supervision of such wonderful teachers.
Once in university, the decisions I was expected to make about my own education were numerous. I worked diligently over during the four years of my undergraduate degree and attained a high grade point average, I am especially proud that this placed me on the Dean’s list numerous times.
The final year of my undergrad, in 2012, I made the decision to partake in the honours program in Sociology. I completed an Honours thesis that explored youth participation in extracurricular activities, in particular sports, and the risky lifestyle choices that it often leads to. My objective was to provide coaches within the school system with a different perspective on athletic participation and a better understanding that preventative measures are sometimes necessary. My honours thesis is another aspect of my education that I am exceptionally proud of and I have attached a copy of it to this web-portfolio.
Additionally, at my graduation ceremony in May 2012, I was one of the two Sociology students at the University of New Brunswick that graduated with First Class Honours, this is another accomplishment that I am proud of.
In June 2013, I completed my Bachelor of Education at St. Thomas University, specialising in Elementary Education.
While at St. Thomas, I studied all of the available French Second Language methodology courses. I also took an English as a Second Language course that significantly broadened my understanding of language development. I cherish my Bachelor of Education and the opportunity that I had to learn and grow under the supervision of such wonderful teachers.
What next?
From an early age I have known what I wanted to be when I grew up, a teacher. I have known that I wanted to excite others about learning as much as it has excited me. What I did not know, when I was younger, was the obstacles I would first have to overcome to find myself in front of a class instructing and working with others.
This school year I am teaching at the International School of Nanshan Shenzen. I work with a kindergarten and grade one split class and I am so fortunate for having had the opportunity to grow as an educator with them. The enthusiasm these children have towards learning has certainly made me a better teacher and has been a constant challenge to improve my techniques within the classroom.
Following my time at ISNS, I hope to return to Canada and seek employment at a Canadian school. Although this description has been brief, I hope to have provided you with a glimpse into my past and leave you with high hopes of the future that I so desire.
This school year I am teaching at the International School of Nanshan Shenzen. I work with a kindergarten and grade one split class and I am so fortunate for having had the opportunity to grow as an educator with them. The enthusiasm these children have towards learning has certainly made me a better teacher and has been a constant challenge to improve my techniques within the classroom.
Following my time at ISNS, I hope to return to Canada and seek employment at a Canadian school. Although this description has been brief, I hope to have provided you with a glimpse into my past and leave you with high hopes of the future that I so desire.