Hello, & welcome to my blog!
Let me introduce myself first by telling you my name. My name is Meredith Ann Poole! What first drove me to become an educator was - like many students before me, the countless teachers that have changed my life in positive ways. Throughout my life I have learned to cherish education because of how it continues to challenge me to grow as an individual.
As a young/ now mature student I have been privileged to engage in a Catholic community of students at
Let me introduce myself first by telling you my name. My name is Meredith Ann Poole! What first drove me to become an educator was - like many students before me, the countless teachers that have changed my life in positive ways. Throughout my life I have learned to cherish education because of how it continues to challenge me to grow as an individual.
As a young/ now mature student I have been privileged to engage in a Catholic community of students at
- St. Matthews Catholic Elementary School
- Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School - Centre for Self Directed Learning
- The University of British Columbia
- & York University's Bachelor's of Education program
All of which, have supported my learning concurrent with my faith/Catholic values, and forced me to understand the importance of developing reciprocal relationships with all.
As a graduate of Mary Ward's Catholic - Self Directed Learning program, I was introduced to the importance of interdisciplinary studies, and student driven learning at a young age. In Mary Wards Self Directed system I was able to take charge of my own learning which was empowering. As a Teacher Candidate, I constantly refer back to my years at Mary Ward in order to brainstorm how I can involve (in order to motivate) my students to take charge of their learning. In high school I quickly learned that I most clearly understood concepts when I was able to make in depth connections not only between lessons in each subject, but across multiple subject areas.At The University this very notion lead me to both Major in History, and Minor in Visual Art/Theory. I discovered History by first taking Art Theory courses, although I was fascinated with the Study of Fine Art I felt that my knowledge was shallow without a more in depth analysis of what was taking place in history throughout the times when new movements, monuments, and architecture were budding.
My experience as a student has taught me the importance of not only involving students in their learning, but allowing them to take charge of their learning. I strive to not simply to create "fun" in the classroom, but rather to challenge students to experience through discovery - the value of learning, and the importance of education. My goal as a teacher is to create mature learners who understand the value of education, and remain inspired to use it as a tool to achieve greatness in the world. It is then that I believe students will view school not simply as a "mandatory daily task" but as a privilege, that shapes them into even more incredible human beings.
As a graduate of Mary Ward's Catholic - Self Directed Learning program, I was introduced to the importance of interdisciplinary studies, and student driven learning at a young age. In Mary Wards Self Directed system I was able to take charge of my own learning which was empowering. As a Teacher Candidate, I constantly refer back to my years at Mary Ward in order to brainstorm how I can involve (in order to motivate) my students to take charge of their learning. In high school I quickly learned that I most clearly understood concepts when I was able to make in depth connections not only between lessons in each subject, but across multiple subject areas.At The University this very notion lead me to both Major in History, and Minor in Visual Art/Theory. I discovered History by first taking Art Theory courses, although I was fascinated with the Study of Fine Art I felt that my knowledge was shallow without a more in depth analysis of what was taking place in history throughout the times when new movements, monuments, and architecture were budding.
My experience as a student has taught me the importance of not only involving students in their learning, but allowing them to take charge of their learning. I strive to not simply to create "fun" in the classroom, but rather to challenge students to experience through discovery - the value of learning, and the importance of education. My goal as a teacher is to create mature learners who understand the value of education, and remain inspired to use it as a tool to achieve greatness in the world. It is then that I believe students will view school not simply as a "mandatory daily task" but as a privilege, that shapes them into even more incredible human beings.