Educational Influences
Reflecting on my educational influences this year has helped me understand the impact my past experiences have had on my goals as a future teacher. From my supportive family and inspiring coaches to the challenges I faced with bullying, each moment shaped my desire to create a caring and inclusive classroom. Coaching gymnastics and learning from my outdoor education teacher showed me the importance of hands-on, encouraging environments. Reflecting allowed me to connect the dots, appreciate how far I’ve come, and reaffirm my passion for teaching. It reminded me why I want to be the kind of teacher who makes a difference.
Influential Course Work
These three assignments that I have completed over the last few months have been a powerful and impactful part of my learning journey.
Critical Response to Schooling
The Critical Response to Schooling Assignment was meaningful to me as it allowed me to reflect honestly on how privilege has shaped my educational journey. It opened my eyes to the many unseen advantages I have had and reminded me that my success is not simply from my own doing, but a result of support systems and societal structures that have benefited my journey overall. I’ve learned that being a reflective educator means continuously recognizing and learning from my own experiences to better understand and support the diverse needs of all my future students. It reminded me of the importance of acknowledging others’ lived experiences and creating space for every student to thrive.
Inclusion Statement
Writing my inclusion statement was an impactful experience as it allowed me to truly reflect on what inclusion means to me and the type of classroom environment I want to create. I realized that inclusion is about making every student feel seen, heard, and valued. This assignment helped me think about how I can support diverse learners and celebrate their differences as strengths. It also reminded me of the importance of continually learning from my students. Overall, it encouraged me to commit to building a compassionate, equitable, and supportive space for every student to succeed.
Place Based Learning Assignment
The place-based assignment required both an adventure to explore the location and research to understand and teach the significance of that place. Place-based learning is important as it connects students to the local environment, culture, and history, making learning more meaningful and grounded in real-world experiences. Place-based learning allows students to connect with their community, creating a stronger sense of identity, belonging, and responsibility. It showed me the value of stepping outside the traditional classroom and using the world around us as a teacher. This assignment encouraged me to be a thoughtful, inclusive, and reflective educator who values connection, context, and community in learning.
Awards and Scholarships
Athletic Awards
In grade 12, I was awarded Female MVP awards for both volleyball and basketball, along with the Overall Female Athlete of the Year. This award meant more to me than just recognition of athletic ability. These awards reflected my dedication, hard work, and passion for being a supportive teammate and leader. As team captain, I learned how to guide others, offer encouragement during stressful moments, and lead with positivity. Sports taught me that success is built on teamwork, communication, and mindset. These experiences have helped shape the kind of compassionate, motivated educator I hope to become.
Dean’s List
Being placed on the Dean’s List in Fall 2024 was a moment of real pride for me, not just academically but personally. Throughout high school and my first two years of university, I struggled with low confidence and motivation, often believing that barely passing was the best I could do. Entering the Education program changed everything, I connected with the content, found purpose in my studies, and started believing in myself. For the first time, I felt confident and motivated to strive for more. This recognition reminded me how far I’ve come and showed me the power of finding passion and believing in yourself.
Wolfpack Cheer Scholarship
Being offered a TRU WolfPack cheer scholarship for the 2024/25 season was an incredible honor and reminder that hard work doesn’t always go unnoticed. As a base, I’m used to being unrecognized as the spotlight typically shines toward the flyers. This experience has taught me the importance of recognizing everyone’s role in a team, not just those who stand out the most. In teaching, I want to bring this mindset into the classroom, seeing every student for who they are and positively commenting on the unique things they bring to the class. Everyone has strengths, and it’s our job as educators to notice them.
Employment and Travel
Tutoring
Tutoring students with diverse abilities has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey so far. I genuinely look forward to each session, and I find myself constantly thinking about how I can make our time together more fun, engaging, and impactful. Even outside of work, I willingly spend time preparing and brainstorming ways to support their individual goals because their progress matters to me. Each student brings something different, and I’m grateful for that. It challenges me to grow as an educator and helps me better understand how to support a wide range of learning needs with empathy and creativity.
Coaching Gymnastics
Coaching gymnastics has been one of the most influential experiences in my journey toward becoming an educator. Working with athletes aged 4 to 15, I’ve learned firsthand how important it is to create inclusive, supportive environments that recognize individual differences. Whether during short lessons or full-day camps filled with gymnastics, crafts, and outdoor fun, I’ve seen how every child brings unique strengths and goals. Watching my athletes work hard, grow, and light up with pride when they reach their goals is incredibly rewarding. These moments inspired my passion for teaching and taught me the power of patience, encouragement, and equity.
Celestún, Mexico
My trip to Celestún was an incredible experience that positively impacted my learning and teaching journey. Exploring the local culture and visiting the Mayan ruins deepened my appreciation for Indigenous history, knowledge, and ways of life. It reminded me how valuable experiential learning is, especially because it brought everything to life in a way no textbook could. As a future educator, this experience solidified the importance of teaching from a place of respect, curiosity, and cultural awareness. I want to bring that same sense of connection and wonder into my classroom and create meaningful learning experiences.
Personal Blog
Learning Through Play
One of the most powerful things I’ve learned from working with children is the value of play. Whether I’m coaching gymnastics, tutoring, or observing classrooms, I see how students excel when learning feels like fun. Play supports creativity, exploration, and natural curiosity. It omits the fear of failure and creates space for connection and laughter. As a future educator, I want to create learning experiences that feel joyful and exciting. I’ve realized that learning doesn’t always happen through worksheets or lectures, it often happens when kids are free to explore, imagine, and engage in ways that feel meaningful to them.
Importance of Encouragement
In both coaching and tutoring, I’ve seen how powerful encouragement can be. A simple “I believe in you” or “You’ve got this” can completely change a student’s mindset. I’ve worked with learners who doubted themselves, just like I once did, and it reminds me how important it is to be someone who lifts others up. Encouragement isn’t just about praising success, it’s about recognizing effort, resilience, and growth. It’s about helping students feel safe to try, fail, and try again. The more I teach, the more I realize that confidence and learning go hand in hand.
Learning Through Experience
Coaching gymnastics showed me that every child learns differently, at their own pace, and in their own way. What worked for one athlete didn’t always work for another, and that challenged me to adapt, be creative, and stay patient. As I am learning to become a teacher, I carry those lessons with me. I’ve learned that flexibility, empathy, and encouragement matter just as much as content. Coaching helped me realize that teaching is about connection not just content. That mindset is something I’ll always bring into my classroom.