Here, you will find a list of my previous volunteer experience. The list is continuously growing, along with my passion for the classroom.
Practicum Experience
Westsyde Elementary School
- 3 weeks (September 2022)
- 10 weeks (January-March 2023)
Arthur Stevenson Elementary School
- GRADE 3- Every Wednesday for 8 weeks
My practicum experience through TRU so far has completely exceeded my expectations. I have been the most grateful to finally work hands on in a classroom and begin understanding the difficulties, and rewards of the profession. My practicum experience has helped me develop my eagerness to create engaging, differentiated, and fulfilling lesson that excite students.
Volunteer Experience
Building Blocks Preschool
20 Children ages 3-5 (November 2020- January 2021)
- Aided and reviewed lesson plans
- Observed classes via zoom
- Weekly phone calls with the classroom teacher
- Total Hours: 30
Kamloops Sports (Midget Division)
- Observed practices
- Observed how to make practice plans
W.E. Kinvig Elementary School
- – Attended online meetings with the teacher to discuss each week of class
- – Looked over assignment grading and grading rubric
- – Learned how you take a lesson plan and turn it into an actual lesson.
- Total Hours: 32
Personal Tutoring
- Two children age 9 and 12 (April 2020-June 2020)
- Provided paid online tutoring for 2 children- 1 hour each child, once a week.
- Aided children in navigating online learning and basic tutoring
- Total Hours: 26
Through my volunteer experience at Building Blocks and W.E Kinvig I have learned to engage and respond to many different young learners. These experiences have all shaped the way I interact with children and have prepared me to always be open minded and empathetic. Volunteering has allowed me to develop roles of mentoring, and trusting relationships with children of all ages, learning styles, and unique capabilities. Volunteering is the best way to grow, make mistakes, learn, and appreciate all in the same setting.
Tutoring was something I only occasionally did before COVID-19. But, at the beginning of the pandemic, many students had to transfer to online learning, with only their immediate family to help them navigate. So I began tutoring multiple children on the ins and outs of online learning. This would be anywhere from navigating a zoom lecture, to how to submit their work online. This is now a very beneficial tool to me as online education, and online educational resources are becoming more and more popular.
My volunteer work through Kamloops Sports for Kids was cut short due to covid, but I still got to learn how to be a great leader to all types of children. Volunteering somewhere I was not fully confident in forced me to adapt my prior teaching knowledge, and translate them to a suit children who have a commitment to sports. Eventually, I became aware of the role of “the coach” and the role of “the player” are not the same as “teacher” and “student”. Although they both involve trust, I found a surprising level of trust must be had between the coach, the player, and the team to be successful.
Professional Development and Accomplishments
DancePlay Workshop- Roxanne Letterlough
Through TRU, I had the pleasure of partaking in some of Roxanne Letterlough’s Aboriginal Dancepl3y. Roxanne explained DancePl3y as a way to collaborate story and dance through the collaboration of local elders, community members, and students. Participating in this was so much fun, and allowed for Teacher Candidates to let loose, as well as recognizing the possibilities within incorporating dance into your classroom.
DELF- Bilingual Certification
I attended French Immersion from Kindergarten until Grade 8. I can fluently read, write, and speak the language, although I have chosen not to pursue it in my teaching. French Immersion has always been a large part of my life and I will always hold it close to me.
Bachelor of Arts – English
I started my Bachelors Degree in September 2017 with absolutely no idea where I was heading. I bounced around interest and passions and ultimately decided helping people was in my nature. With that in mind, I came to the conclusion that nursing would be a great fit for me – even though I have never considered myself a lover of science… or the hospital. I quickly realized this was not the job for me, and revisited my options and had quite the epiphany that all signs in my life have pointed to teaching. From then on, I have had my mind set on the goal of becoming an Elementary School teacher, graduating with my BA in August 2021, and starting my Bachelor of Education in September 2021. I have not looked back since.
