Less than two weeks until I return to university to become a teacher and I'm so excited!
I'm not exactly new to teaching. I've been teaching colleagues and university students for longer than I care to remember, but THIS is something I've always wanted to do. I love introducing people to new ways to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in their own lives and careers, but when you introduce young people to STEM, it's like being a wizard! Getting kids exploring and actually MAKING tech is nothing short of magical.
My wizard was my Grade six science and math teacher, Mr. Keith Mackie (who also happened to be the principal of our school). He really opened up the world of math for our class with challenging, differentiated instruction -- truly no child left behind. It was a magical year that lasted forever in our minds. We were then lucky enough to move into Mr. Bradley's grade 7/8 class and experience science in a way few students ever get to outside of high school or university. Boy, were we blessed at H.M. Robbins Public School!
As I helped adults learn that they could tackle math and science, I discovered that far too many adults never had that experience, that magical year with a Mr. Mackie or Mr. Bradley of their own. Without that early passionate exposure, people are left feeling like STEM fields are an exclusive club that they can never belong to, and trying to work through this fear with a teenager or an adult is so much more challenging than it needs to be. If only there were more Mr. Mackies and Mr. Bradleys!
So I vowed to become one - and in less than two weeks, I begin. Did I tell you yet that I'm excited? I am, so very excited. ;)
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