Philosophy of Education
One of my favourite literary heroines, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Shirley, expresses sentiments reminiscent of what I often feel regarding the impact, influence, and role of a teacher: “There is some good in every person if you can find it. It is a teacher's duty to find and develop it.” To me, this aptly articulates what teaching constitutes, for I see the classroom as an enriching space full of possibilities: one where each student possesses the “good” - or rather, potential - to learn as long as their respective needs are met. By giving differentiated instruction, allowing student voices to be heard, and instigating opportunities for innovation, I aim to create outlets for expression and curiosity alongside the appropriate integration of technological tools to further enhance the student learning experience. My classroom practices foster an open and inclusive environment in which I encourage students to be continuously inspired and motivated to take responsibility for their own learning.
Numerous experiences have shaped me into the teacher that I am today: one who is poised to ensure that passion, equity, respect, critical reflection, and leadership (among other things) are featured in my classroom. Prior to becoming an educator, I worked in various settings that required extensive communication, collaboration, and social emotional strategies. This ranged from presenting information to visitors about 1800s British North America while in period costume, participating in campus-wide efforts towards community outreach, conversing with Canadian newcomers as part of their language instruction for immigration, mentoring incoming university students, and bringing a local author's poetry collection to publication. All of this has honed my ability to adapt to different environments and the difficulties that may arise within them. Early cross-cultural experiences in Quebec, Spain, Nicaragua, France, and Hong Kong during my school years have nurtured my love for travel and language learning which continues to this day. Moreover, by harbouring interests in areas outside of my degrees, I have been fortunate to meet a diverse cast of people with whom I share curiosities that contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle.
I am a teacher who believes that above all else, lesson content should be learner-focused and delivered alongside positive support and constructive feedback that will aid in student progress. In order to avoid inequality and discrepancy, I always aim to facilitate a classroom community that benefits all learners. The assertion of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles exemplifies this notion whereby I can shape my teaching to provide curriculum navigation in various forms. Appropriate accommodations and modifications are to be made accordingly for exceptional learners alongside the integration of technological tools and applications to further enhance the student learning experience. In addition, a teacher must be passionate, kind, empathetic, organized, flexible, and mindful. As a prominent community figure, I also recognize that as a teacher, I must always convey professional standards of care, trust, respect, and integrity and assess all situations with a lens of equity.
Since the completion of my teaching certification, I have had the privilege of working as an international educator in China for the past two years. My time at Boren Sino-Canadian School in Guangdong has only further stoked my desire to teach overseas. My profound interest in intercultural competency persists, invigorating me to construct relevant and meaningful lessons around language and literature that explore the world's variables at play in hopes to encourage students to become proactive global citizens in today's ever-changing world. The challenges I have encountered in the international classroom thus far has given me unique opportunities to seek improvement, develop my growth mindset, and strive to diversify my teaching in a manner that embraces and supports students of all backgrounds. My experiences on the whole have been enriching for me as not only a teacher, but also as a lifelong learner wholeheartedly dedicated to educating and learning abroad. I thus present myself as a candidate who endeavours to ensure that my students can thrive and demonstrate their own capacities to succeed.