My path to becoming an educator happened - somewhat - serendipitously. My passion as an adolescent was basketball. I ate, slept, and breathed the sport. In the summer going into Grade 12, I played on a basketball team that travelled to tournaments held throughout the United States. These basketball tournaments were attended by hundreds of scouts representing American universities. Moreover, my opportunity to solidify an athletic scholarship. However, ‘Fate’ had a different idea, in the first game of the tournament I sustained an injury, breaking my left hand. Unable to compete at the tournaments and devastated with these unforeseen turn of events, I returned to my childhood roots - basketball camp - becoming a camp counselor. Although I had little experience working with children prior to this job, I quickly developed an affinity towards working with children and teaching. Reflecting on that summer, I feel fortunate for the injury, as I realized a new passion for teaching. And more importantly, that summer became the first chapter of my journey to becoming an educator!
My time in the concurrent program at Ryerson (BA in ECS) and York University (BEd primary/junior) has been invaluable in developing my theoretical and practical knowledge as an educator. Through the program, I quickly learned that the most important aspect of teaching is building a classroom culture of inclusivity and community. I believe that teaching can only begin when we develop meaningful relationships with our students. In order for ALL students to succeed within my classroom environment, they must feel safe to be their authentic selves. Once these connections are formed, educators can more effectively implement the Ontario curriculum.
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
― William Butler Yeats
