My experience working with children over the past 10 years has led me into the career path I pursue today. Within these experiences, there have been three key events which have solidified my interest in education, and specifically an education in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP).
Event 1: Outdoor School Counselling
When I was fifteen years old I had my very first experience taking care of and educating students at the North Vancouver Outdoor School. It was here that I realized I loved working with children, and I began my journey towards a career in education.
Event 2: Summer Camp and Child Care Work
I spent seven years working summer camps in both leader and supervisor roles. It was during this time that I was exposed to various age groups, behaviours, activities, and responsibilities. This experience of running camps allowed me to develop management strategies, communication skills, and organizational skills, all of which I see as essential to the teaching profession. In addition to working in summer camps, I worked in a child care centre for four years working with children aged 0-12. It was during the course of my time working in child care that I knew that I wanted to work with children for a career. My favourite experience was supervising a small centre for three years where I worked with the same 20 children before and after school each day of the week. These lovely children were in kindergarten to grade 7 and my time with them over the three years was extremely fun, rewarding, and challenging. Together we built a “family” as the children liked to say, and I can honestly say I never had a day that I did not enjoy. It was here that I learned that I wanted a career where I would get to know the children I work with and aid in their development.
Event 3: IB Classroom Volunteer
Over the course of my time working in a child care facility, I realized that I truly enjoyed working with children. However, a career as a child care worker really focused on the social and emotional pieces of a child’s development, and I really wanted to help mentor and care for the whole child. Thus, I decided to gain experience working in an elementary school setting. Through one of the parents at the child care centre, I was connected with a teacher who offered to take me on as a volunteer. This school happened to be an IB school. Upon walking into the school, I was intrigued by all of the clocks showing local time around the world. Then, when I walked into the classroom, I was surprised to see a wall of sticky notes showing student questions. One of the first questions I asked was with regards to these sticky notes, and I was informed how these are questions our class is investigating, and these wonderings show the students thinking. During the course of my time in this classroom, I was able to learn more about the IB program and about teaching through inquiry. It was during this experience that I decided to go ahead and apply to the Education Program at UBC, with the hopes of specializing in IB.
Reflecting on where I was before I began the program, and where I am today, I am very happy that I had these great experiences that led me along the path to a career where I have the opportunity to get to know the children I work with and mentor the development of the whole child.