Category Archives: A. Introductions

Hey!

My name is Natalie and I am a Makerspace Educator in Langley, B.C. I teach at a Grade 6-8 Middle School and have had almost 1000 students come through our Makerspace this year! I have been teaching since 2002 (usually Math/Science) but was offered this exciting opportunity this year. I am thankful I said “yes”. To see students so engaged in their learning has been so encouraging.

This is my third MET course (having completed ETEC 500 and 510 previously). I am also taking 565A and 512 in addition to this course – so I’m going to be busy! I hope to continue finding engaging ways to get students interested in math/science and keep them curious!

Natalie

Hello Everyone!

My name is Cristina and this is my 5th course in the MET program. I am currently teaching Grade 5 in an independent school in Delta, BC where I have been teaching for the past 9 years. This fall I will be moving to Grade 1, as I have never taught in the primary years, and have decided to take on this new opportunity! My goal for this course is to learn more about implementing technology into science and math classes in a hands on and user friendly way, both to enhance the learning experiences of my students, and spark passion in their knowledge of these two disciplines. In my spare time I love to travel, and will be spending some time in Italy this summer. I’m looking forward to learning alongside everyone during this course.

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tyler and I’m currently a grade 4 teacher in the Vancouver School Board.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel… this is my last term in the MET program. I think one of the most interesting courses I’ve taken in this program was the Text Technologies course last term. I’m hoping from this course to learn new and engaging ways to combine math and science into my classroom. One of the things I’ve noticed about the MET program, is that many of the courses have focused primarily on theory.  It would be wonderful to discover some more practical takeaway programs and apps to incorporate into my teaching.

Hi everyone,

My name is Bryn and I live on the North Shore of Vancouver.  I teach a grade 6/7 class for the West Vancouver School District at an awesome school on Bowen Island in the middle of Howe Sound.  I have moved into teaching elementary just over a year ago and was previously teaching senior math and physics at various high schools around the world.  I began teaching in China for 3 years and then taught on a tall ship with a program called Class Afloat.  I have really enjoyed my recent shift to the elementary level but look forward to returning to high school math and physics one day.

I feel fortunate to be working in a school district and community that fully embraces technology in the classroom.  Students bring their own devices to school and I incorporate technology in almost every unit of instruction.  Google Apps for Education, Khan Academy, and the inquiry-based model are all cornerstones in my classroom and I love trying out all sorts of innovative programs in my classroom.

I look forward to expanding my understanding of technology in the math and science classroom and explore current best practice with devices in the classroom.   I look forward to gleaning new ideas from my new set of colleagues and sharing my experiences with you all as well.

Beyond teaching, I love adventuring outside.  My free time is often torn between kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, trail running, sailing, and cycling.

I look forward to working with and learning from you all this semester!

Hi everyone,

I live in Vancouver, B.C. but work as a secondary school teacher in Richmond.  I currently teach a variety of sciences including Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences but not, unfortunately, Biology for which I am technically trained in.

This is my eighth MET course having previously completed 512, 500, 510, 511, 522, 530, and 540.  I feel I use technology comfortably in my courses but lack the time to fully incorporate or develop newer aspects that are available.

Outside of school and the MET program, I have two young children (a five year-old and 3 month old) that occupy most of my time but on the occasional  downtime I enjoy the odd console game and or catching up on reading.

Looking forward to learning with you all!

Hi all!

My name is Mary Sikkes. I live in Smithers, B.C., a relatively small town in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. I was born and raised in Smithers and moved back fourteen years ago when I began teaching. Two of my three siblings have moved back to Smithers as well, and both my parents and in-laws live within twenty minutes of my house, so lots of family around! After TTOCing for a couple of years, I taught at the secondary school I attended as a teenager for the first eight years of my full-time teaching career (learner support and English), before moving to elementary where I now teach in a grade 4/5 classroom in the same elementary school I attended as a child.

I have two stepsons (ages 18 and 20) and a niece (2 years) and nephew (14 months) who I suppose would be my “past-times” at this point. My sons have both just headed back out after being home with us for the holidays. My younger son plays hockey in Golden, B.C. (he’ll be moving back home in February when the season finishes) and my older son is studying Environmental Management at UNBC in Prince George (about four hours away from Smithers). My sister and her family (which includes my niece and nephew mentioned above) live just fifteen minutes away, so I see them whenever I have a spare moment.

I am currently enrolled in my 7th and 8th MET courses (ETEC 533 and 510) and have taken core courses: ETEC 500, 511, 512, and electives: 521 (Indigeneity, Technology and Education), 532 (Technology in the Arts and Humanities Classroom), and 540 (Text Technologies – The Changing Spaces of Reading and Writing).

From this course, I am hoping to learn how to integrate digital technology more effectively into my math and science lessons. My students love engaging with technology, but I am hesitant to use too much digital technology at this point because I do not want to use technology simply because the students love it; I want to use it because I have a clear understanding of how it is benefitting learning. At this point, I have difficulty, especially in relation to math, with how to incorporate technology beyond fluency-building games such as Reflex Math. My hope is to have a better understanding of the philosophies behind the integration of technology in math and science, as well as some tools to use within my classroom.

I look forward to working with you all!

Mary

Hi everyone!

I am excited to be starting course eight of the MET program along with all of you! I have completed the four core courses along with ETEC 521: Indigeneity, Technology and Education, ETEC 532: Technology in the Arts and Humanities Classroom, and ETEC 540: Text Technologies: The Changing Spaces of Reading and Writing.

As mentioned in my title, I am presently living in Edmonton, Alberta and am working as a distance learning elementary teacher through an independent BC school. Although working with a younger student demographic, I am hoping that this course will provide insight into meaningful ways of intersecting technology with science and mathematical learning. I am approaching this course with a very open mind and hope to glean theoretical ideologies and practical affordances that can be transferred and adapted to my personal educational goals.

One newer trend in education is the implementation of STEM activities in a student’s learning plan. Educators, parents and students seem excited to engage in this inquiry based learning approach, however from my own experience with STEM resources, I haven’t seen a lot of resources that intersect all four areas of learning and skills: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

On a personal level, I am married to a drummer and scientist who programs video games in the fringe hours of his day. We are growing up four daughters ages seven to thirteen, and are always keeping our hearts and ears open for a grand adventure!

Looking forward to spending these next winter months with you, hunkering down –  a perfect time of year to do some learning and growing.

~ Jessica

Hi everyone!

My name is Vibhu and I’m from Winnipeg.  This is my 4th term with MET where I’m taking my 7th and 8th course.  I’m taking ETEC 530 along with this one and I am excited to be nearing the end of my MET journey!

I teach high school science courses for Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate, a program part of the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC).  Naturally, with a science major I have been eager to learn how educational technology and science learning exist in the web 2.0 space.

Looking forward to working with everyone!

Vibhu

Hello everyone! My name is Gloria and I am a grade 7 elementary teacher here in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I am taking this course simultaneously with ETEC 590. Yes this is my final term with MET!

This was one of the courses I have wanted to take since the beginning because I am interested in the ways technology can be integrated in the math and science disciplines.

I am looking forward to connecting with all of you!

Hi everyone! I was so excited to see familiar names on the introductory blog. I am Catherine Sverko. This is my tenth and final MET course, although I wish we could take every elective, as I have learned so much in each course.

I am currently in my twenty sixth year of teaching. I have specialized in grades five through eight, as well as, special education. I am con currently working on my advanced behaviour analysis certificate which deals specifically with children and adults on the autism spectrum.

I am the mother of two fantastic girls, Katlynn who will graduate from Ryerson University in the spring with a degree in Creative Industries and New Media. LeeAnn is in her third year at Queen’s University in Psychology and Health Studies with an interest in marketing.  My husband Ed left yesterday for a four month stint teaching and researching at the Harbin Institute of Technology in Northern China. That leaves me home with our two labradoodles.

I have an honours degree in Kinesiology as well as my Bachelor of Education Degree. I apologize for no pictures but at the moment I am forced to use my phone/iPad to post this as our internet at home is fritzing out constantly.

I look forward to working with all of you and I am crossing my fingers that my Internet is fixed soon or I may end up living at a starbucks this term.

Catherine