What school board are you affiliated with and what was your role there?
I am affiliated with the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). Prior to coming to 91亚色, I was on secondment to the Ontario Science Centre where I was a teacher/presenter.

Why did you want to become a seconded faculty member at the Faculty of Education at 91亚色?
I was interested in the opportunity to work with enthusiastic, up and coming teachers.  I wanted to be able to share my experiences with the teacher candidates as well as learn from them, what issues were important to them, what they were passionate about, and what they hoped to pass onto their future students.

Which courses are you presently teaching?
Content into Practice and Teaching Biology and Environmental Science in the Intermediate/Senior Classroom.

What excites you the most about teaching teacher candidates?
For me, it鈥檚 when students begin to make connections and gain insight into what has been explored and discussed in the classroom and what they are seeing in their school placement(s).  Excitement for me begins when students realize what a significant difference they can make.

What has been the most surprising thing for you working at the Faculty?
I often talk to my students about the importance of collaboration and sharing ideas with each other.  Everyone is eager to share what they have learned and are open to each other鈥檚 new ideas.

In 3 words, describe your experience working with 91亚色's Faculty of Education.
Elevating, inspiring, motivating

What advice would you give teacher candidates for their future teaching practice?
Take risks! Try new things, get out of your comfort zone and learn with your students.  You don鈥檛 need to be the expert.  You should be a co-learner along with your students.

What inspires you to teach?
Knowing that education has the ability to change a student鈥檚 life. I鈥檓 inspired to teach so every student has the opportunity to pursue their goals.

What would students be surprised to know about you?
I still get nervous when I'm in front of the classroom teaching.

What impact do you want your work to have on society?
If students are given the opportunity to be successful, they can be.  I want my students to have every opportunity and then to go out and create opportunities for others.

What do you see as the best thing about education today?
The mindset we have regarding teachers and students today.聽 The idea of teachers and students as co-learners and teachers encouraging their students to take risks, to think outside the box and to become critical thinkers.聽 As well as realizing the importance of diversity.聽 Students need to see themselves reflected in the curriculum.

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What school board are you affiliated with and what was your role at your board?
I'm affiliated with the Peel District School Board (PDSB) where I was a Science and Technological Education Instructional Coordinator.

Why did becoming a secondee with the Faculty of Education interest you?
I鈥檝e always wanted to work with new teachers, and have been mentoring them ever since I started my own teaching career. It鈥檚 great to be able to help shape new teachers before they even get into their own classrooms.

What courses are you presently teaching?
Content into Practice and Science teachables.

What鈥檚 the most exciting thing that happened in your classroom(s) this year?
We had an 鈥渋n the moment鈥� debate on if there should be an honour roll for elementary school graduates. It turned into a discussion on meritocracy and was amazing.

What has been the most surprising thing for you working with the Faculty?
There鈥檚 always a deep down feeling that I don鈥檛 belong here and there must have been some mistake when I got hired. I suppose it surprised me a bit to find out that I do fit in!

In 3 words, describe your experience at 91亚色 this year?
Much more confident.

What advice would you give to teacher candidates about their future teaching practice?
Get to know your individual students and help them grow. You teach children, not subjects.

What inspires you to teach?
I have two children of my own and want to make the World an even better place for them.

What would students be surprised to know about you?
I destroy orcs in my spare time to keep Middle Earth safe (Lord of the Rings reference).

What impact do you want your work to have on society?
It鈥檚 the multiplier effect. If I help new teachers make a difference with their students, then it鈥檚 an impact that I have by proxy. I want our students to grow up to be critical thinking citizens, and that starts with good educational experiences in school.

What do you perceive to be the best thing about education today?
The time that changes take used to frustrate me, but I can see a bigger picture now. Change does happen, perhaps slower than I want, but it does happen. Recognizing that gives me hope for the future.

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