I am going into teaching because my parents are both teachers, so I know that if I need help, I can count on them. Two: I did co-op placements in high school, helping an elementary teacher conduct one-on-one groups with students, and I enjoyed it immensely.

I was born and raised in Aurora, Ontario but my family and I make a big move to Sudbury almost two years ago.

Some of my hobbies include reading and painting. I love being creative and having time to myself.

Growing up I also knew I wanted to pursue a career in Education. Once I obtain my OED I plan on completing AQ's to expand my knowledge. My dream has also been to teach primary to junior grades.

I love the idea of being able to make a difference in the lives and generations of the future. I am excited to take this course, and eager to learn more about my future.

A little bit about me:

• I am an aspiring Science Teacher hoping to engage students in STEM education and eco-friendly living. With a background in Biology and Chemistry, I hope to advocate for sustainability within the classroom and an appreciation for the outdoors.

• I personally enjoy running, hiking and golfing. Having participated in Sudbury Rocks 5K run, multiple Mud Runs in Ottawa, and leisure 5-10 km along the 1000 Island Parkway Bike Path. I love exploring both local and new trails for hikes and joining my boyfriend on various hunts (duck, goose, deer, turkey, and partridge).

After high school, I initially went a different path, but quickly rediscovered my love of teaching and switched into ConEd at LU.

• My teachers in the past were all passionate about their field which instilled a love of learning from an early age. I continue to actively seek learning opportunities for myself and hope to utilize available resources to widen my perspective and get out of my comfort zone. For instance, listening to podcasts such as Andrew Huberman, and challenging myself by learning golf.

Additionally, having worked primarily in customer service, I understand the importance of building relationships and have cultivated problem-solving skills transferable to teaching. I hope to establish rapport with students and staff through my outgoing and personable nature!

My name is Erika Godkin. I am a mature transfer student who has returned to school after 17 years. I decided to pursue a career in education after working as an educational assistant in an alternative elementary program at Jean Hanson Public School for many years. I love working in the school environment and being a positive, caring, and trusting presence in the lives of my students. Education is truly my passion, and I eagerly anticipate the transition to the teaching profession. 

I am originally from Elliot Lake, but have lived in the Sudbury area since 2004. Despite having three boys, ages 16, 15, and 12, who keep me very busy, I enjoy many outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, paddleboarding, and camping that luckily they happily join me in.

I was born in Fergus Ontario, and my family and I have lived there our entire lives. Fergus is small town near Guelph and Waterloo.

My hobbies include most sports and in the summer reading. I enjoy a variety of different sports but my two favourites are hockey which I've played since I was three and gold which I started when I was twelve.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher from a pretty young age. I had a teacher who had a very big impact on me and from there I wanted to have the same impact on someone else. My parents are both also teachers so I was exposed to it a lot and learned the ins and outs of it.

My goal is to teach English, History at the high school level. I was born and raised in Sudbury, and one of my greatest passions is travelling—there's something so exciting about discovering new places and cultures. When I'm not travelling, I love to read; it’s a hobby that’s been with me for as long as I can remember.

My desire to become a teacher began at a very young age, and much of that inspiration comes from my Nonna. She was a teacher for her entire adult life and, even after retiring, returned to supply teach because of her deep love for the profession. Watching her find such fulfillment in teaching made me realize early on that it was a path I wanted to follow.

Following a fairly serious concussion in 2017, a friend of mine suggested doing unqualified supply work in some schools here in Sudbury. After three years of doing that, I decided that I really enjoyed it and wanted to officially pursue a career in education. So, in September of 2023 at the tender age of 43, I started at Laurentian University - my third post-secondary education adventure! (Yes, I take lifelong learning seriously😜). 

On that note, I’ll leave you with some fun facts that you may or may not already know:

• Lemons float in water, whereas limes sink.

• Venus is the only planet that spins clockwise.

• A group of owls is called a parliament.

See you in class!

I spent most of my time reading books and watching some good TV shows (The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Friends, etc.). I like reading all kinds of books, but my favourites are older literature and ones that are considered as “classics.” While most of my time is spend indoors, I love to go on hikes and spend as much time as possible outside when summer comes. My dog and I love to relax by the pool and soak up the sun.

The reason I chose to become a teacher is because I have always had a passion for learning that this something most people don’t always have. I am hoping to be able to inspire kids into wanting to explore new topics and learn new things even when it is difficult. I look forward to being a good role model for my future students and inspire them to follow their dreams and pursue knowledge. It is nice to meet everyone, and I look forward to the rest of the semester.  

I originally started in the BSc Nursing program and ultimately I changed into the program I am in now, BPhEd Kinesiology and Concurrent Education. I don't have many hobbies or interests because school takes most of my time, but I enjoy hiking or playing sports with friends during my downtime.

Growing up my parents always wanted me to be a doctor but getting a glimpse into the healthcare industry while in the Nursing program, I realized that it was not what I wanted to do. Changing programs I immediately thought that I wanted to be a teacher because I enjoy learning and feel that as a teacher you are choosing a career as a life long learner. Also, in high school, I did a placement as a teacher's assistant and I enjoyed it and this cemented my program change.

As you can probably tell by what I chose to study, I absolutely love to read. Recently I have been making an effort to read more in French, but with my courses I am typically reading more often, in English. Another hobby of mine is to crochet. I am currently working on a few different projects at once; notably two blankets and a scarf. 

A fun fact about me is that I have always wanted to be a teacher. Actually, as a child, I would force my sisters to play “school” with me. This meant that they would complete activity sheets and I would then grade them; it’s a little harsh, I know… But anyway, since I have had multiple teachers that I looked up to and who were role models to me, I had decided early on that teaching was something that I also wanted to do.

I'm looking forward to taking this course with you all!

I really enjoy anything that requires creativity or hardwork. Recently I've picked up knitting, and let me tell you making a huge blanket is not an easy thing to do, it requires lots of patience. I also love drawing, painting, reading, and I write a lot of poetry. All of these little hobbies of mine help me stay engaged with my creative side, something that is usually lacking whilst I'm in school. Funnily enough, I really do enjoy school as well. I'm a sucker for a good class, where the teacher is passionate about the subject they teach. I hope that when I become a teacher I can do the same.

I hadn't always wanted to be a teacher, when I was younger I was looking to be a mechanical engineer, or a lawyer or even a psychiatrist. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to do, I just knew I wanted an important job where I could help others. When highschool came around, I realized just how much work and effort the teachers put into their classes, how students relied on them to learn or even to confide in. In 12th grade I decided to go into teaching, heavily influenced by these three amazing professors I had. I'm so excited to be that teacher for future generations. I want students to know that I'm passionate about what I teach. I want to help them grow and learn.

Anyways, I look forward to having this class with you all!! Let's have a great semester :)

My name is Matthew Ellis, a second year student here at Laurentian, from Kinburn, Ontario (a small town on the west edge of Ottawa). Throughout highschool i was lucky to play lots of sports, continuing to play junior hockey in grade 12 and then play for the Laurentian Voyageurs Lacrosse Team the past two years. Other interests are being able to get outside to ski, camp, go hiking, hunting, and fishing or working on cars, trucks, and small engines. Growing up my dad was a teacher in our town and I was able to see how many kids he had a big impact on when every time we would go anywhere it would seem a different old student of his would praise him about the years he taught them. I also felt like I had developed a skill at teaching from being a coach for different sports and naturally feeling confident in my abilities to develop their skill/performance leading me to want to follow it as a profession.

When I’m not busy with school or work, I love spending time with friends and my dogs. In the winter, you’ll often find me skiing, while summers are all about relaxing at the cottage.

After working as a Physiotherapist Assistant in healthcare for two years, I discovered my passion for teaching. My time as a Teacher Assistant showed me how much I enjoy working with children, helping them learn new things, and seeing the world through their eyes. Becoming a teacher will also allow me to fulfill my goal of traveling and learning about new cultures worldwide.  

I grew up as a competitive swimmer with a local swim team. It was a significant part of my childhood, teaching me discipline and teamwork. Balancing training with school was challenging, but it also helped me develop a strong work ethic. The thrill of competing and the friendships created with my teammates made those years unforgettable.

After graduating high school, I took a year off and worked full-time. Now, I am in my third year working towards a degree in sociology and Con Ed. I decided to go into teaching because I love working with kids. As a teenager, I was proudly known as the ‘Skead All-Star Babysitter,’ which inspired me to earn my lifeguard training. I now have the privilege of teaching children of all ages to swim.

Some of my hobbies include recreational fitness, learning/reading about history/philosophy, and spending quality time with the people in my life. I’m constantly trying to learn more and feel my best.

One of the biggest reasons I got into teaching is because of the enjoyment I get from learning, and my goal to be able to give that same enjoyment to students. I hope to become a history teacher because I believe it’s interesting to learn the story of the world and learn from past mistakes. I thoroughly enjoy teaching others new information and skills, I learned this from my time as a swim instructor/lifeguarding instructor. 

I am very passionate about the arts; I love to read, write, paint, draw---I love creating things! I am currently working on a Greek-sculpture-inspired painting, as I'm also interested in history (and its art, evidently). I also spend a whole lot of my time listening to music, and I really love collecting vinyl. I love the simplicity of listening to albums on my record player while I do everyday things.

Originally, I had no idea what I wanted to be growing up; I just knew it had to involve English---hence why I've decided to teach it; I want to keep learning and practicing. I've always loved literature and generally all things in that subject. I want to inspire others, be a positive figure in peoples lives, and make a difference in the world. My eventual goal is to be a professor!

Some information about me:

Since I grew up in northern Ontario, I am outdoorsy. I would get back from kindergarten and my dad and I would immediately go fishing hunting or hiking.

This of course made me love everything outdoors-related.

My favorite hobbies are hiking, fishing, hunting, playing sports, going to the gym, and drawing.

I grew up playing many sports such as Hockey, Volleyball, Softball, Basketball, Figure Skating, Track and Field, and Dance.

I am the ultimate animal lover, I currently have 3 dogs, and my step brother has a bearded dragon which I find pretty cool.

Now for school, I grew up only speaking French till I was about 6 years old and I graduated from a French elementary and French High School.

I also went to the University of Guelph for my first year to become a veterinarian, which I quickly found wasn't for me (8 years of school is way too long).

I have always loved all the sciences, I feel this comes from the way my teachers taught me.

One teacher in particular is my inspiration to become a science teacher.

She helped me through a lot in my High school years and was honestly fantastic.

She wasn't my only inspiration to become a teacher, I have always loved helping others. I feel like teachers impact every student's life and I want to be able to do that since I feel like it's important and meaningful.

I am currently thinking of also teaching abroad maybe England or maybe even Africa. This would be a very exciting adventure and I would be able to help teach many different students in different living situations.

I am very excited to be in this course and to have a great semester with all of you :).

Thank you!

https://a.co/d/868PNyB

My name is Raija (pronounced “rye-uh,” in Finnish J’s make a Y sound), and I am a second year student in the Concurrent Education program at Laurentian. I major in Psychology, and minor in English as part of my BA. I was born and raised here in Sudbury, along with my two younger siblings, and we are all first generation Canadians. My family previously lived in Finland!

As for my hobbies outside of my studies, I’m working on learning how to play the piano in my free time. I’m also a lover of all cozy hobbies. I like to colour, and listen to music (a LOT of Taylor Swift), and spend time with my loved ones.

I am passionate about teaching because I've always found joy in helping others learn and grow, and I’m inspired by the opportunity to make a positive impact on my future students’ lives. I believe that every student learns differently, and I want to use this knowledge to give every one of my students the best possible run at success.

On a more personal note, I was specifically inspired by one teacher I had in high school. This teacher stood out to me because they weren’t just amazing at teaching, but they were also very empathetic, creating a classroom environment where every student felt seen and valued. Their impact on my life showed me how transformative a great teacher can be, and I hope to bring that same positivity and understanding to my own students one day.

I look forward to getting to know all of you in the coming weeks!

Raija

In my free time I like to play guitar, listen to music, and drive my car. I also enjoy watching, playing, and refereeing hockey!

The reason I want to be a teacher is because of all the positive and negative experiences I've had with school growing up. I'd like to be that "it" teacher, the one who's always on the ball, great with kids, everyone loves him sort of deal (I mean obviously, who doesn't want that?!). The great teachers I've had in the past have inspired me to become just like them, and really have a great impact on students. Other teachers, let's just say the "negative" impact ones, have motivated me to become that positive impact teacher. I am not in this to teach a subject, I'm in this to teach the next generation and shape the minds of the future. Kids spend so much of their time growing up in school and I want to be that person that instills hope, dreams, and happiness to drive those kids to be the greatest they can be.

Thanks for reading! :)

- Thomas

Some of my hobbies outside of basketball include wake surfing (with my dog), swimming, snowmobiling, playing all types of sports, and working out.

I have a huge extended family and majority of them live in Sudbury, I love spending time with all of them. Growing up we spent most of our summers at our cottage in a small town called Thunder Beach.

I had many amazing teachers throughout my schooling that have inspired me to become a teacher, I cannot wait to have a positive effect on little minds. Teaching gives an amazing opportunity to allow me to become a coach, I only really realized that in grade 12 when I was playing basketball at the PREP level. I wanted to coach, but I wanted to get paid to coach, this is when I realized that teaching opens up that door of coaching. I cannot wait to become a PhysEd teacher and inspire kids to have healthy habits!

I was always interested in teaching because of my mom. She taught at the elementary level for 20 years before becoming a principal and is now a superintendent. Her career has demonstrated how versatile the teaching profession is, and I aspire to have the level of commitment to professional learning that she has.

Outside of school and soccer, I love spending time outdoors, going for runs, swimming in the lake, and taking my dog for walks! I am excited to bring my enthusiasm for exercise and well-being to my classrooms, no matter where I teach.

I chose to become a teacher because I have a passion for teaching and coaching, sports have always been a big part of my life and I love giving back to sports that has given me so much in life. I love being able to teach kids and promote fitness and healthy lifestyles. Physical Education is dynamic and fun with more hands-on learning which I enjoy. I think teaching is more about playing games, it gives me the opportunity to teach kids valuable life lessons and skills.

I’m in my second year of the BPHE program, specializing in Kinesiology, and working toward my BEd in Junior-Intermediate education. My journey to becoming a teacher started in the summer of 2021 when I worked as a camp counselor at the YMCA. I loved teaching campers skills and valuable life lessons while helping them create memories that would last a lifetime. After that summer, I knew I wanted to be a teacher so I could keep inspiring youth and making a difference in their lives. I’m still at the Y today, working as a youth program instructor and a site director during the summer, making sure things run smoothly and memories are always being made. I also coach soccer for my old high school, and we actually won gold last season! Coaching has been an amazing experience, and I’m really looking forward to doing it again.

Why did I go into teaching?

When I was applying back in high school, I thought about some qualities of teachers. Learner, encourager, leader, supervisor, role model, coach. Some of these are some reasons why I wanted to be a teacher. Wanted to be that role model and coach to students. My goal is to teach high school so my plan is to take extra courses once I've graduated but still all having to use these different qualities for any age group. I feel like you can't go wrong with being a gym teacher too. You love sports, watching sports coaching sports, all in 1 while getting paid and summers off.

Look forward to the next few months! 

I enjoy music, watching movies, cooking, baking, and sewing. Becoming a teacher has always been one of my dreams. I’ve been inspired by many incredible teachers who guided me through different stages of my life and shaped my passion for this profession.

After earning my degrees in India, I took around four year break before restarting my studies here in Canada. It’s been a longer journey than expected, but I’m excited to be on this path and hope to achieve my dream soon!

Looking forward to connecting with all of you!

I chose to become a teacher because a lot of my family is also teachers, So I have a pretty good understanding of what is required and all the benefits of what being a teacher is like. I also love learning and I do coaching for fun and I love seeing others improve and grow into the best versions of themselves.

Let's have a good semester :)

I love reading and writing, watching anime, and playing some video games. My favourite time of day is at night, since it's a peaceful and quiet time to spend reading or writing, and it tends to be the time where my imagination is the most active. I'm a huge fan of the fantasy genre in pretty much anything I enjoy. I have a dream to write and possibly publish a novel some day. I also love singing.

For a long time, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I had many dreams, such as becoming a singer, as astronomer, a designer, etc..., but none of them were very realistic for me, and were merely considerations. It was my grade seven teacher who inspired me to become a teacher (though I'm not sure she knows). I had her for a teacher in grades one and eight as well. She was always extremely kind and understanding, while remaining an effective teacher. I found that I looked up to her, and she helped shape my idea that teachers are there to help students LEARN, and not just to keep us there for the day and give us a ton of work (she did give a fair amount of work, too). She would always help if any students didn't understand something, and she kept an open mind when there was a conflict among students in order to properly understand the story. On the other side, I also had a teacher in grade seven that I didn't like. She didn't provide help when I didn't understand something, leading to me getting a not great mark on a quiz. I was, naturally, upset at the lack of desire to make sure the students understood if we didn't the first time. I was a combination of viewing both of these teachers in the same year that made me realise that I want to be a teacher, and give students a chance to experience a welcoming and positive classroom like my seventh grade French teacher did for me. From then on, I began paying closer attention to the good and bad things about my teachers all throughout high school, where I met some of the best and worst teachers who helped to further motivate me to follow this career path.

I hope we'll all have a good semester!

I chose to become a teacher because my mother was a teacher, and seeing the positive impact she had on kids really inspired me. Additionally, I have a learning disability, and I want to help students who struggle in school by showing them that with the right support, they can overcome challenges and succeed.

I like to spend time with friends, have fun, and play sports like volleyball, tennis, and video games. For some reason, we're back to Fortnight again.

I've always been fascinated by how much is out there in the world, and one of my passions has been knowing as much about this world as possible. That began primarily focused on science and innovation but has now switched to history and stories of the past that brought us to where we are today.

I chose to become a teacher because I had a coach in high school who never taught me, but he struck a passion for teamwork and sports in me. This passion led me to want to assist others in finding things they are passionate about, and I feel that being an educator is one of the best ways to do that.

I look forward to working with all of you!

I am a third-year student here at Laurentian, majoring in BPHE Kinesiology/Con-Ed. I enjoy all forms of physical activity and sports and am always up to try a new game or sport that I have never played. Being a social person, I enjoy hanging out with friends and always having company. Social gatherings are always my favourite kind of unwinding fun.

In regards to my chosen career path, the reasoning as to why I want to become a teacher truthfully started off with me not entirely knowing as to what I wanted to do as a vocation. I began looking through different school programs that were related to sport and/or physical activity in some way, and eventually I found the BPHE program, and it caught my interest. I thought about the possibility of becoming a physical education teacher, and the idea stuck with me, so here I am now!

I hope this has helped you get to know me better, and I look forward to the rest of this class!