June 30th, 2021 So begins the summer of 2021 for many. If you’re anything like me, you are absolutely ready for a screen break. Typically during the summer months, I would enjoy binging my favourite television shows – but not this summer. This summer is dedicated to closing my laptop, signing off and getting outside. […]
Occasional Teaching
Attendance Question
NOTE: ETFO’s position on in-person learning remains unchanged. The union firmly believes that the daily, in-person model of instruction and support best meets the educational, developmental and social needs of students, provides the best experience for support, and is the most equitable learning model for all students. ETFO’s expectation is that elementary virtual learning in […]
Advice from a 3rd Year OT
I’d like to start off by saying I am no expert but instead a teacher with a passion for connection in the classroom. As this school year comes to a close, I reflect on the experiences I’ve had that continue to shape my practice. This year has been extremely challenging for all. As an […]
Dear Students,
As an Occasional Teacher, I meet a lot of awesome students. This school year, I have had the opportunity to teach in MANY schools (both virtually and in person) across two different school boards. I don’t get to wish each of those awesome students a farewell as this school year nears its last day. Some […]
“Healthy” Eating 101
The Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum requires students in Grades 1-8 to learn about healthy and active living. The curriculum document stresses the importance of healthy eating and the relationship between healthy food choices and strength of the body and the brain’s preparedness to grow and learn. Sounds ideal right? Talking about the positive […]
Exit Tickets
I often try to put myself in my students shoes and think about how I would have felt as a young student learning online during a pandemic. Personally, I learned remotely as an adult when completing my Master of Professional Education degree. But I cannot confidently compare my experience with the experience of these young […]
I am happy you are here
As I was supply teaching one day in a full remote learning classroom, my wifi decided to take a short vacation. Now if you’re anything like me, technical difficulties feel like they come up at the worst possible times. Now that is a dramatic statement of course, but it really does feel like a “WHY […]
“Be vulnerable”
A message we are hearing as educators during a pandemic. What does this mean to you and your practice? To me, vulnerability seems scary, it seems raw – but, both human and necessary. Living through this pandemic has provided us with commonality of experiences. Although we are all experiencing different heartache during this time […]
“I’m Sorry”
“I’m Sorry” A combination of words we are all familiar with. We’ve said them, we’ve received them, we’ve wished for them, we’ve accepted them and we’ve rejected them. Humans make mistakes. Mistakes are the way we grow and learn. Consequently, this learning process involves others whom our mistakes can directly impact in negative ways. […]