This year, we celebrate 10 years of the Full Day Kindergarten program in Ontario. While working on my undergraduate degree, I first learned of this program and I immediately fell in love with it. My trust and passion for this program have only grown stronger since. My knowledge and curiosity of play-based learning continue to […]
Occasional Teaching
“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. […]
Boys vs Girls
A friendly competition? No. No. No no no no no. Boys vs girls in sports? Boys vs girls in games? Boys vs girls in math? No again. Here’s why: Boys vs girls contests assume there are only two genders and reinforces this idea to children. This competition forces children to ‘choose’ which side […]
Occasional Teaching Online (part 2 of 3): My Challenges
I will never forget my first supply day for virtual learning. Even though I am early into my teaching career, I believe this experience has changed the way I will reflect on my teaching practice for years to come – dare I say forever? As I logged onto my first Google Meet with no idea […]
Occasional Teaching Online (part 1 of 3): My Realization
Full Remote Learning or FRL for short. A concept that I had never even imagined myself being a part of in the position of the teacher. Remote learning for post-secondary students was something I was familiar with. In fact, I was learning myself remotely as a Master of Professional Education student, but how would this […]
“Just” an Occasional Teacher
Hello everyone! I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining the Heart and Art blogging team this school year. I look forward to time spent being passionately curious with all of you. As educators, it feels we are under the spotlight this year to openly reflect in conversations with curious strangers on how […]
Illness, Shame and the Educator Martyr Complex
A recent Twitter post from Liz Ryan @humanworkplace read: Coronavirus is teaching us that: Healthcare is a right Paid sick time is a right Many, many people could do their work from home (clearly not teachers) We are more dependent on a healthy society than we want to acknowledge This tweet got me thinking about a […]
Occasional Teachers As Partners
In my classroom an Occasional Teacher is referred to as a Guest Teacher for many reasons. The most important being that the person who arrives that day is first and foremost a teacher. That individual is a qualified teacher who is there to help students continue on their daily academic journey. They are not there […]