My reasons for becoming a teacher are fully attributed to the phenomenal social emotional learning (SEL) development I received inside and outside the classroom by my teachers in high school.  I hope to mimic the nurturing learning environments my educators created.

Another major proponent in my inquiry this year was the role of parents in implementing SRL strategies. In my educational journey, I was fortunate in receiving unconditional support from my parents that allowed independence and restraint. During my practicum and work with athletic teams, I encountered varying levels of parental involvement.  Witnessing the lengths that parents are willing to take was not only humbling, but they exemplified the opportunities for successful and positive routines to be modelled at home.I hope to continue my inquiry into the role of parental support in student success and implementing SRL strategies. I can hope to strengthen parental involvement in my classroom through early and frequent communication through various mediums (blogs, emailing, newsletters, conversation in-person). I know that consistent communication and transparency over classroom operations is vital to a pro-active learning environment at home.

I believe my strength before entering this program, and a major tool in my success, is my natural charisma and personable nature.  I believe in a classroom that is built on respect, integrity, and trust.  I hope to embody those ideals, by consistently treating my students with respect and acting with integrity. I can also strengthen my ability to communicate by teaching various age levels. Although I have been trained for Middle School grades, I will be entering the teaching practice as a Grade 4 teacher. Grade 4 is a year full of growth and new found independence, preparing for their intermediate grades, but also, it involves new responsibilities and the need for accountability.