I am a classroom teacher with the Vancouver School District. I am currently teaching a grade 6/7 split and have been at Southlands Elementary for the last 6 years. I was originally a primary teacher when I started my teaching career eight years ago, but have had my grade assignments gradually moved up over the years (not by choice, just sort of happened). Now I can’t even remember what it was like teaching primary.
My journey into teaching started accidentally. I had no idea what I wanted to do as a profession while I was at UBC. I just took random courses until I found a major I liked which was psychology. But I had no intention of working in that field. I just enjoyed learning about it. Meanwhile, I always worked part time at a before and after school care. Anyways, my boss told me I should just go into teaching and here I am today. I owe a lot of my personal development to that job and the people I worked with. I actually only fully quit that job a couple years ago.
In addition to teaching my class, I enjoy coaching extracurricular sports at my school. I find it is a good way to get to make connections with students who aren’t in my class. This year, I coached volleyball, basketball, and am currently coaching track and field. And as if teaching full time and taking this program wasn’t enough, I also have a second job teaching martial arts.
This is my third course in the program and I am looking forward to continuing my learning journey with all of you.