Month: March 2021
Throughout the past two years, I have taken many classes that are relevant to teaching and classroom management. These classes allowed me to learn general knowledge in each of the subjects, as well as learn more about the mind of a student and classroom management.
English Requirements (ENGL)
- English 135
- Academic Reading and Writing
- English 146
- Contemporary Literature
History (HSTR)
- History 101A
- Ten Days That Shook the World
- History 230A
- Canada to Confederation
- History 230B
- Canada: Confederation to Present
Science
- Astronomy (ASTR) 101
- Exploring the Night Sky
- Earth and Ocean Sciences (EOS) 120
- The Dynamic Earth
Mathematics (MATH)
- Math 161
- Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I
- Math 162
- Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II
Psychology (PSYC)
- Psychology 100A
- Introductory Psychology: I
Curriculum and Instruction (EDCI)
- Curriculum and Instruction 250
- Elementary Field Experience Seminar
- Curriculum and Instruction 300
- Mathematical Processes
- Curriculum and Instruction 302
- Literacy and Language in the Elementary or Middle Classroom
- Curriculum and Instruction 303
- Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Canadian Education
- Curriculum and Instruction 305A
- Drama Education as a Medium for Learning I
- Curriculum and Instruction 306A
- Music in the Elementary or Middle Classroom I
- Curriculum and Instruction 307A
- Art in the Elementary or Middle Classroom I
- Curriculum and Instruction 336
- Technology and Innovation in Education
Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education
- Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education 310
- Physical Education for General Classroom Teachers I
- Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education 311
- Physical Education for General Classroom Teachers II
Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies (ED-D)
- Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies 301
- Learners and Learning Environments
Throughout the past year, I have been a dedicated and passionate peer mentor for first-year art students. I have done this by becoming an Engage Leader at the Office of Student Life at the University of Victoria. I am responsible for ensuring students have a great first year and have a sense of connection and community at the university. Each month, I put on an event for students to join and make several posts to encourage engagement within our small community. At the moment, I have 33 students in my pod; most of which is music and there are a few theatre students. In the upcoming year, I am also trying to take on more mentoring opportunities. I am doing this by applying to become a Recruitment Ambassador for the university. I am also a substitute coach in rhythmic gymnastics and an after-school day camp leader.
One of my biggest passions growing up and to this day is rhythmic gymnastics. When I was five years old, I started going to gymnastics class each week to learn how to use the trampoline, the beams, or the bars. However, when I was eight and looked at the other gymnasts using apparatus, I was immediately sold. Rhythmic gymnastics has always been my favourite sport since there are so many different types of apparatus and skills to learn. When I was learning, my favourite was the ribbon since it would flow nicely in the air; especially the wide ones. Each year, I would be eager to go into my gymnastics class and learn all the different skills and learn the new routines for the seasonal show. Not only do I love the sport, but the community of people you are surrounded with each week is astounding, It is special since you all share a mutual bond of loving the sport.
Here is my letter of introduction for my practicum this year!
Photo by Jason Dent on Unsplash
This week, we had Jesse Miller come to our class and talk to us about internet safety, especially in an employer or an employee’s eyes. When I was younger, I saw the repercussions of joining the digital space too early, when many of my friends had Facebook or Instagram in elementary school. Of course, I too eventually downloaded the apps and joined the social space, but I wish I had waited for a bit before joining. When you are that young (I joined Instagram in grade eight), you do not realize the repercussions of what you are posting. Although I never posted anything too scandalous, I followed many people from my school that have now ended up deleting their posts from when they were younger. I’m sure schools are more protective of students now and ensure to teach them the proper precautions before posting on the internet; most students are too young to understand why posting something might not be the best choice.
Although there is the opposite, the use of technology and the internet in the classroom can allow the classroom to flourish. When I was in school, students would often forget to do homework since they would not write it down in their planner. However, now students can connect with their class through websites such as Google Classrooms and Edmodo. Teachers are also able to keep parents in the loop since they can connect to the websites and check their child’s progress.
While the internet is a great new resource, it is also important for teachers to know the upheld privacy restrictions in their schools. For example, when I was in my Wednesday Visits last semester, a student whose parents decided not to have their student online. This became a problem when the annual Winter concert came around, and the music teacher was going to film the students for the parents to watch. In the end, the best solution for this problem was to have her sit out of the concert and help the teacher decorate the classroom with their art. This was really significant to me during my Wednesday visit since it outlined how important privacy is with technology. I will make sure to look out for these challenges when I become a teacher!
In the end, I am glad Jesse Miller came into our class to talk. I appreciated the reminder on internet safety, not only for me as a future teacher but now as well.