Unlike many people in Education, I have not always wanted to be a teacher. In fact, my first degree was a Bachelor of Arts in Classics. Now you may be thinking, as many others have, that the move to Elementary Education from Classics was an odd jump. However, just as it was interest in different cultures that first led me into Classics and Anthropology, similarly it was an interest in children and multicultural education that led me into Education. Therefore, going into Elementary Education was in fact a culmination of my life experiences.

My journey into the field of Education began at home. I grew up watching my mother work late into the evening as a junior high school English and social studies teacher. So, I have always known that being a teacher is a lot of work and responsibility. However, I have also seen the rewards of that hard work, for example the intrinsic satisfaction of seeing students succeed.

My many extra curricular experiences have also been steps along my journey into education. Two highlights have been my involvement in karate and archaeology. I taught karate classes and I have myself received a black belt. I have worked on three archaeological digs, for two summers in Tunisia, and one summer in Italy. I also have had many volunteer experiences. One significant involvement was working for the Bissell Centre, an inner city organization, helping with a weekly sports night for children, and as a camp counselor.

During my degree I assisted in a grade one classroom, in a grade five classroom, and in a grade six classroom. My first practicum was in a grade six class, and my second practicum was in a grade five-six combined class.

In 1999-2000 I worked as an intern in with Edmonton Public Schools. During that year I worked with grade ones, twos, threes and fours. This rounded out my teaching experiences because now I have experience in all elementary grades except Kindergarten.

As an intern I also was involved in various other school activities. I co-coached the Track Club. I helped with the Art Club. I ran cooperative games for grade one and two students once a week. I also taught origami during lunch for a month. On a school-wide level, the other intern and I planned and co-ordinated the annual Sports Day.

The 2000-2001 school year takes me to London, England.

Many of my work experiences have also helped me to develop skills that I believe will help me as a teacher. As a Classics student, a file clerk and an administrative assistant, I have developed and cultivated my writing and editing skills. I believe that confidence with and understanding of computers, the Internet and HTML programming is invaluable in today's technological society.

The most important thing that I have learned from my various life experiences is that I am good with and like working with children. I also have learned how important it is to see life through the eyes of a child. Not only does this attitude help me work with children more effectively but it also allows me to keep a little bit of the magic of childhood in my adult life.