Professional Development
As an aspiring educator, I truly value professional development and the opportunities for growth that it provides. While I am aware that professional development is extremely important for me at this point in my pre-service career as I grow my repertoire of knowledge and strategies, I also believe that participation in professional development is crucial throughout an educational career. Not only do I want to instil a desire for life- long learning in my students, I want to ensure that I am constantly learning as well. Life long learning will help me to become the best teacher that I can be; constantly learning about new research and strategies to best help the students in my classroom. As a pre-service teacher I have tried to seize as many opportunities as possible to participate in professional development. They can be seen in the list below:
Teacher's Convention - February 2013
Palliser School District- Calgary, AB
Through this convention I was given the opportunity to attend a number of different informative sessions including "Igniting the Third Factor", "Student Engagement in the English Classroom", "Play on Words- Literacy Games", "Music Supports Literacy", "Engaging the Brain", Create a Writer", and "Five Key Strategies for Assessment". Through these sessions I was able to continue to add tools, tips, and strategies to my "toolbox". It was also a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with professionals from other schools and school districts.
Palliser School District- Calgary, AB
Through this convention I was given the opportunity to attend a number of different informative sessions including "Igniting the Third Factor", "Student Engagement in the English Classroom", "Play on Words- Literacy Games", "Music Supports Literacy", "Engaging the Brain", Create a Writer", and "Five Key Strategies for Assessment". Through these sessions I was able to continue to add tools, tips, and strategies to my "toolbox". It was also a great opportunity to meet and collaborate with professionals from other schools and school districts.
Social Director - September 2012 - Dec 2012
University of Lethbridge Education Undergraduate Society
Through this volunteer position I had the opportunity to meet and interact with a large number of my fellow peers and colleagues, as well as many faculty members from the University. It was my responsibility to organize events to bring together the student body to meet and collaborate and to include the faculty as well. This required me to ensure that all events fit within the sanctions of the club. Additionally, I used input from other society members, the student body, and faculty to plan events that pleased all involved.
University of Lethbridge Education Undergraduate Society
Through this volunteer position I had the opportunity to meet and interact with a large number of my fellow peers and colleagues, as well as many faculty members from the University. It was my responsibility to organize events to bring together the student body to meet and collaborate and to include the faculty as well. This required me to ensure that all events fit within the sanctions of the club. Additionally, I used input from other society members, the student body, and faculty to plan events that pleased all involved.
ATA Science Specialist Council Conference - Nov 15 - 17, 2012
Alberta Teachers Association - Banff, AB
Through this conference I was inspired by the key note speakers, George Kourounis, and Bill Nye (yes, the Science Guy!). I attended various sessions regarding Science Literacy, Hands on Discovery Approach to Science, Using Critical Thinking In The Science Classroom and Using Ipads in the Science Classroom. This conference provided me with many practical strategies and teaching resources that I could implement immediately.
Alberta Teachers Association - Banff, AB
Through this conference I was inspired by the key note speakers, George Kourounis, and Bill Nye (yes, the Science Guy!). I attended various sessions regarding Science Literacy, Hands on Discovery Approach to Science, Using Critical Thinking In The Science Classroom and Using Ipads in the Science Classroom. This conference provided me with many practical strategies and teaching resources that I could implement immediately.
Student Representative - January 2012 - April 2012
University of Lethbridge Education Undergraduate Society
As a student representative for the Education Undergraduate Society I was the voice of my class of approximately 35 students, I brought forward to the society and questions or issues that my class had. Additionally, I delivered any information about upcoming events and opportunities put fourth by the society back to my class. This position emphasized the importance of collaboration and communication between peers and colleagues; something that I think is easily carried over to my professional career.
University of Lethbridge Education Undergraduate Society
As a student representative for the Education Undergraduate Society I was the voice of my class of approximately 35 students, I brought forward to the society and questions or issues that my class had. Additionally, I delivered any information about upcoming events and opportunities put fourth by the society back to my class. This position emphasized the importance of collaboration and communication between peers and colleagues; something that I think is easily carried over to my professional career.
Political Engagement Conference - March 16 & 17, 2012
Alberta Teachers Association - Edmonton, AB
Through this conference I had the opportunity to enrich my personal understanding of the educational climate in Alberta beyond the classroom, including issues affecting teachers in their daily lives. As well, I interacted with and participated in discussions with fellow teachers and members of Alberta Government, including Education Minister at the time, Thomas Lukazuk.
Alberta Teachers Association - Edmonton, AB
Through this conference I had the opportunity to enrich my personal understanding of the educational climate in Alberta beyond the classroom, including issues affecting teachers in their daily lives. As well, I interacted with and participated in discussions with fellow teachers and members of Alberta Government, including Education Minister at the time, Thomas Lukazuk.