Qualifications
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
Chinese International School, Hong Kong - Bachelor of Science, Majoring in Physical Geography
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada - Bachelor of Education, Elementary International Baccalaureate Cohort
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada - International Baccalaureate Certificate of Teaching and Learning, Primary Years Program
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
My Journey
Growing up in Hong Kong with an English father and a Filipino mother automatically made me an international citizen. I was fortunate to have been able to travel with my family to China, the Philippines, England, Wales, France, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan, learning about different cultures and trying to figure out the mix that was my own. I attended the Chinese International School where my father worked as a secondary teacher from pre-kindergarten to grade twelve and we lived in the apartment block made for teachers that was attached to the school. My school was my back yard, and it was the experiences that I had at my school that inspired me to become an educator.
Our school provided me with an abundant amount of opportunities, leading me to be on the dance team, swim team, netball team, soccer team, inter-school athletics team, choir, learn Mandarin, be house captain, president of the student council, Parent Teacher Association student liaison, summer school helper, summer school administrator and overseas group camp leader. It was always a welcoming place, where everyone knew each other and the staff had all witnessed our growing up. It was this feeling of belonging that I forever wanted to be a part of. My goal as an educator is to contribute to creating this feeling of belonging and opportunity of self discovery for future generations.
On top of my school leadership positions, I volunteered for camp counsellor positions, worked as a babysitter and tutor, worked as a student helper during the summer school program and upon graduating became the summer school administrator for two years where I was also given the opportunity to be a group leader for an overseas camp from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom. I greatly enjoyed these opportunities to work with and organize events for children, fueling my desire to become a teacher. 
After I graduated high school, I received the International Leader Of Tomorrow Award from the University of British Columbia, providing me a full scholarship for a undergraduate degree in Vancouver, Canada. At the end of my undergraduate degree I realized that I did not want to close the door on the opportunity to stay in this beautiful country. This began my road to residency, requiring me to utilize my administrative background in order to get enough hours in management so that I would be eligible for Canadian residency. I received my Canadian residency in 2012 and restarted on the path towards my dream career.
I began volunteering at Emily Carr Elementary, where I helped in a grade two and a grade three class. I provided learning support, supervision and lead some class activities. Through this experience I was introduced to tools such as the SmART Board, and got my first tastes of the Canadian curriculum. I also began working at Douglas Park Community Center as an after school care and summer camp supervisor for five to seven year olds. In this position I supervised students, was in charge of first aid, planned and lead activities and prepared snack for the children. In this program we focused our efforts on building a strong community and helped foster social emotional learning by helping them to self-regulate and guide them through social difficulties.
Next year I will be teaching grade three at Southridge School in South Surrey and I look forward to all of the things that I will learn on this new path!