Category: Education

  • I Wrote A Book: Gracie

    I Wrote A Book: Gracie

    Five months ago I was asked, “Have you ever considered writing a children’s book?”  The answer came quick, a resounding Yes with a But, I never knew how to start.  The response?  “You just start!”  So? I started. And just like that, Gracie was born.  I started writing almost immediately.…

  • Coding in Kindergarten

    Coding in Kindergarten

    I started integrating coding and robotics into my program about four years ago after meeting a teacher at a conference who had been coding with her kindergarten students.  I thought, If kinders can do this, surely I could figure it out.  I had dabbled with coding in highschool and university and…

  • Kindergarten: Meet Them Where They Are and Watch Where They Will Go

    Kindergarten: Meet Them Where They Are and Watch Where They Will Go

    This post was originally written for BrianAspinall.com and can be found here Kindergarten…28 little bodies in one room.  28 little minds all coming at you from different places, with different experiences, different abilities and different stories.  Some of those 28 are still just three years old.  Some are turning six.  Some…

  • Picking Up The Pieces

    Picking Up The Pieces

    The start of the school year had me opening my classroom door in a brand new building, with brand new students, brand new colleagues, and a host of brand new experiences just waiting for me.  Learning to build and navigate professional relationships all over again was challenging.  Relearning how to make…

  • Empower Them

    Empower Them

    I recently read a statistic about Canadians in STEM careers, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math careers which are generally dominated by men. Only 22% of Canadians in STEM careers are women. It got me thinking about gender roles and stereotypes and the struggles that come with those. Growing up in…

  • My Daughter, The Teacher

    My Daughter, The Teacher

    Seven years ago my father passed away. I received a phone call in the middle of my day that forever changed my life – in every way. As I sat in the funeral home and greeted family, friends and strangers, I tried to make sense of what was happening around…

  • A Thank You Letter to My Parents

    A Thank You Letter to My Parents

    We are coming to the end of our very hectic first term in Grade 1 and I thought it the perfect opportunity to say thank you to all of the parents and families that support me on this incredible journey I am on.  Here goes: Dear Parents, As we come…

  • Who’s On First?

    Who’s On First?

    Last week I had the absolute privilege of attending the Bring I.T. Together conference in Niagara Falls with my very good friend Pat.  It was one of the most incredible and inspiring experiences I have been able to be a part of in my professional career and I was so…

  • About 2 Years Ago…

    About 2 Years Ago…

    About 2 years ago my principal asked me if I’d be interested in attending a workshop called “Innovative Pedagogy”.  Little did I know how it was going to forever change me.  I listened to a principal from Alberta, George Couros, speak about how important it was to be innovative in our…