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These are my grand-father's worry beads. They are a traditional Greek item, most often used by older gentlemen. Unfortunately, my grandfather has since passed and these remind me of him every time I see them. He used to have them in his hands all the time.

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I bought this bracelet in a craft show during our Safari to Tanzania, from an indigenous person in the area called the Maasai people. That group used jewelry and beads to show strength, tradition, and beauty. It was a pleasure to meet them and see how they lives and traditions and culture connect to to mine. Although I am not a native of Africa, 3 generations of  family , as well as myself, were born there, and we have a strong connection to the place, its culture and heritage. This bracelet connects me to my parents, grandparents and the indigenous people of the area of my hometown area (Kenya)

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This is my name bar from my old hockey stall. This to me represented me and my identity for years. I played hockey most of my life and when I moved six hours away from home for University this team became my family. This sport and team taught me so much about myself and really shaped me into the person I am today and I am forever grateful. I met so many amazing people, got to learn leadership, responsibility and team work. My coach and working hockey camps were the reason I chose to go into teaching. Now once again starting a new chapter in my life I am excited but this time I don't have that team and sport as my comfort to fall back on.

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This is my guitar. My Mom bought it for my Dad for their anniversary when they were still young before they divorced. I remember my Dad playing it when I was a kid and singing me songs. It was given to me as a gift for my High School Graduation. It is the first guitar that I played in front of a big group of people. My sister and I performed for the first time together using this guitar. It also has a small dent in the back from when my dog was a puppy (She was a very energetic puppy and knocked it over during a destructive episode). It has a lot of memories. It's important to me because it reminds me to be confident, brave, loving, and patient.

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I bought this portrait a couple of years ago from a Christmas market at the National Arts Centre. I felt a lot of joy as soon I saw it. It's something that I could see myself in and has my skin tone. Multiple people have seen it at my house and thought it was an actual portrait of myself, but it isn't. :)

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I was given this paddle as a gift from my dad before my first canoe trip in Temagami. It came along on a lot of meaningful trips where I started to develop my love for outdoor adventure. I've outgrown it now, but I still keep it as a little reminder of what I love to do!

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I went to Thunderbay last month to go camping and I crossed something off of my bucket list that I have always wanted to do. I brought home Amethyst that I picked myself from an amethyst mine in Dorian, which is about an hour from Thunderbay. The mine I went to was called the Panorama Amethyst Mine. I had a blast at this mine and did not want to leave, even when I cut myself pretty badly trying to dig out some amethyst from a big pile of rocks (if you go, wear gloves). It was such a fun experience and I learned a lot at this mine about how amethyst is formed and mined. The purple colour is caused by iron, and if the iron is not present it would just be clear crystal quartz. I love rocks and crystals so I was really excited to share with all of you!

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This ring belongs to my mum - it was a gift she had received from her aunt. I then stole it from my mum, as I do with most of her things. This ring truly symbolizes family and community for me. My mum has a large family in Lebanon. Although our family spent summers in Lebanon, we have never actually lived there. I often think about how different I and my life would be today had I grown up in Lebanon amongst my extended family. As I grow older, the importance of family and community only become more and more apparent to me. This also ties into why I wanted to become a teacher - to be a part of a community in a classroom and a school is a very beautiful image. I always wear this ring as a reminder that a person is never alone!

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This is an encaustic art piece I created in Grade 12. Encaustic painting involves using pigment with hot liquid wax. I love experimenting and exploring different materials in art. This art piece reflects my creativity and innovative nature.

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I love to write. Any kind really! Essays, personal anecdotes from my life, attempts at novels, diary entries. I have probably 20 diaries and journals from the course of my life. Nowadays I write everything in a really specific book. It is the blank page (unlined) black paper book from Moleskin and they come in a three-pack. I use them for school, for creative writing, pretty much everything. It gets confusing sometimes, I have 7 going right now that I'm using between my classes and personal projects. Writing helps me focus and narrow down my thoughts. I've always been described as a fast thinker, so writing really helps me organize what I want to say. I'm attempting to write a novel now, but usually, I only get a few chapters through before I give up. I really hope to stick with one someday because one of my teachers told me I had a gift in writing and I have always wanted to follow it in some way to dedicate it to her as it meant a lot to me.

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This is my copy of Fellowship of the Ring. It was my dads from when he was a teenager. I started reading this book in late elementary (I think) and it was always my favourite in the series. In fact, I'm getting a tattoo of Bilbo's house tomorrow!

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Taylor Barkley - Family memory and photo 

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Taylor Barkley - Family memory and photo 

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My sister got this custom-designed for me for my birthday. It was a professional photo of us that we got done on vacation in Panama (before covid-19). I always love receiving presents that are very thoughtful and meaningful. This one I can keep and remember the fun times we had there. It also might be the last family vacation where all four of us go, as we get older. I always take a lot of photos especially of family and friends because you never know when that's all you will have left. I think it's just as important as living in the moment so you can reflect back on it and remember the happy times. I also love traveling, my family and I used to all go together somewhere tropical every other year. Hoping to again at least one more time once things settle more.

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I earned my 1st degree black belt or  the rank of shodan in 2011. I study karate and have since reached the rank of 3rd degree or sandan. My career as a martial artist helped me recongize my passion for teaching. I have been teaching karate for over a decade now as teaching is part of karate, the ability to share the knowledge learned is a part of karate that is critical to it's existance. Teaching karate is not reliant on literature but is based in communication techniques (verbal, visual, etc.) and physical literacy (i.e. how to move properly and the purpose behind the different movements).

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When I was a Residence Don at UW, I received this award. Working in Residence was the best experience of my undergrad. I worked so hard that year to support my first year students who struggled with significant mental health issues and to ensure they had an amazing and fun, first year experience. I'm glad I was able to make a difference in their lives and I was able to assist them. I still keep in touch with my students and receive life updates from them. I feel like I'm watching my children grow LOL :')

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One of the memorable experiences I had while volunteering in a classroom was the butterfly activity. This experience also influenced my decision to become a teacher. This activity really taught me a lot about the kids, I saw how patient they were and how they made sure they were playing safe around the chrysalis cage so they don't destroy/disturb the chrysalis. Finally, the butterflies were ready to be released. The students had so much joy on their face. The activity inspired what I think about learning. Learning is like the life cycle of a butterfly. We start off not knowing much, we have to work hard to gain knowledge, until, we start to bloom and become an expert in what we do. Teachers don't become experts in their field in one day, it is through learning and growing; this is a process.

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I decided to post a picture of my teaching experience in China. In 2018, I made what was the best decision of my life which was to teach English in China. Before my trip I was so incredibly nervous and scared to embark upon such a journey, but it was this very experience that allowed me to grow as a person and discover my love for teaching.

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Last school year I had the opportunity of teaching French language to (k4- Grade 7 )in an Québec. Asides the many experiences and people I met over there, my students went the extra mile to school me about the game of chess. So many lunch break hours went into this bonding activity I developed with my older students. For them it was a way to showcase their passion and excel greatly at something. For them it was also a way to wear the cap of being a Teacher. For me it was a way to instal motivation in my students and also wear the student hat. Thinking closely about it now I believe this was a form of support learning that was collaborative and generated different kinds of ideas. (in terms of coming up with chess moves)

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The item I chose is the Jordan 1s. As a kid, I always wanted to own a pair of Jordans because all the cool kids used to wear them at school. But my family growing up could never afford them and had to get cheap shoes for me from Wal Mart. Now that I am older I could finally get them on my own. These Jordans serve as a reminder of where I came from and where I am today. It reminds me that if you put some effort in life you can get that pair of Jordans you've always wanted and to be patient, your time will come some day. Always trust the process.

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An image similar to the rock I have at home. Last year was my last year working as an EA. I received this rock from the principal at my school at the end of the year. The last few years of being an EA were strange and very challenging. I learned how resilient my students and coworkers were. All our different strengths shined through. I touch this rock every time I am overwhelmed to remind me of the strength that is within me and the supports I have around. This reminds of my WHY :)

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The object I chose is a pencil. I chose this because I love writing but never seem to make the time to do it, which I should. I love the simplicity of a pencil because it is really all I need to do one of my favourite things in the world. Writing gets me in touch with my creative side, helps me vent my emotions and just serves overall as a wonderful outlet and hobby for me. It just starts with a writing utensil, as simple as a pencil.

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I chose to bring in a cookbook. Anytime I was having a hard day, my Mom would always bake something for me. We both have a huge sweet tooth, so the more chocolate the better. I especially loved my Mom's chocholate chip cookies. We also shared some great memories baking out of this cookbook together, and she gifted it to me when I moved out.

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The item I brought for show and tell is a photo of me and a participant interacting in a group I volunteer with, Christie Lake Kids. This organization provides free recreational programs to children in the Ottawa area. In this activity, we were focusing on identity as we were writing down our name on a piece of paper and including elements that make us who were are (e.g., pictures, words, etc.). When this photo was taken (2018), I did not know I would later be applying to Teacher's College, and looking at this photo now I have a different perspective of it. I hope to be this type of teacher - one who engages with her students, has fun with them while learning, and provides additional help where needed.

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When I graduated with by BA last year, my uncle Dennis handcrafted this wooden box as a congratulatory gift. On the bottom of the box, there is an instruction to write down my dreams and keep them in the box. I have decided that I want to keep this box in my future classroom and invite my students to write down their wishes to put in the box.  The full message on the bottom says "Setting goals is the first step to turn the impossible to the possible. Place your goals in the box. Visit them frequently. Remember everything is hard before it's easy. The best way to predict your future is to create it... Go get 'em!!!!!!". This is definitely one of the most special gifts I have ever received and I love the idea of setting intentions and making affirmations to help you follow your dreams!

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A bracelet that says "patience" in arabic.

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This bracelet has reminded me countless times to be patient with anything that I go through. Sometimes it could just be a bad day that it helps me get through. Sometimes I forget about it and as I am doing something I would feel it dangling on my wrist and read the word "patience" and remember to stay patient.

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This is my dog Abby!
She's half pug, half beagle and a little over 13 years old.
She has been such a good support for my whole family over the last 13 years and she continues to be an integral member of our family today :)

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When I started my first job as an ECE, I was excited and met two beautiful women who inspired me to learn from everyday experience. Also, it was my first year being a university student. In addition, the second semester of my studies became hard on me, such as the load of school work and not being able to manage my time. Therefore, I had to let go of my dream job. On my last day, my co-worker gave me a picture frame with a graduate student on it and a quote saying, “teacher you are the beacon of light that has inspired us to reach for the stars.” That itself had me teared up. You know when you have that feeling, but others would discourage you and let you down. I never believed that I would become who I am today. From a refugee to a teacher candidate. As they say, believe in yourself.

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This is my current sketch book. Since I was a kid I love to draw and doodle. In school this would often make my teachers feel very frustrated because they felt that I was not listening, but it actually helped me to focus on what the teacher was saying and not get distracted by my friends or daydream. Over the years art has helped me process my emotion especially through big life events and tough times. (I still doodle in class, I can't be stopped)

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This is a dolphin figurine, I bought 2 matching figurines for my best friend and I when I went to Florida when I was 8. For me it represents friendship, growth and resilience. I have been very blessed and I have had my best friend for 20 years. We both still have the figurines to this day. Every time I feel lonely or homesick, I look at the figurine and think of my best friend, and no longer feel alone. It reminds me of all of the things we have gone through, and helps inspire me to keep pushing, and that no matter what there is someone in my corner, and I am in hers.

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My object is a porcelain jar that my little sister made for me! As you can see, its shaped like a heart and painted to resemble a watermelon (my favourite fruit :)) This is meaningful to me because my sister is my absolute best friend and seeing it each day  makes me think of her while we're living so far apart. She made this for me when she was 6, and she just turned 13 last week!

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My object is my camera. I loved reading as a young kid and as I continued to read, I also developed the urge to write and make my own stories. I used to have little disposable cameras from Walmart and I would use them to take pictures that would fit with the stories I would write. As I got older, I began to take photographs of my life and my friends and I moved from story writing into scrapbooking. I find it's a great way to document my travels/experiences in a tangible form!

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This is a huge stuffed animal that my Dad gave me a few years ago. I use to sleep with it every night when I was away at university. It is now my baby's favorite stuffed animal and he loves cuddling with it so its beginning to have some kind of generational/sentimental value :)

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I brought this plant because it is symbolic of a huge transition point in my life. A little girl gave it to me just before I left my job and started this program. It also represents huge changes in my personal life. It is something I can bring from my past the to future.

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This is a pen I bought on vacation. It reminds me of....