Reflections on the past year!

School's out for the summer! 


Summer is always a bittersweet time of year. It's really exciting to be staring down vacation time but it means the end of a year's worth of "blood, sweat and tears" and knowing that I won't ever teach that exact same class/group of students again. Over the course of a semester, each class develops its own unique style and dynamic; it's one of the things I love about teaching. No two classes are ever the same! It also means I will never have that exact class again. Bittersweet. 


When I look back on this year, I think it was a really great one! 


Some of the highlights/accomplishments: 


- Another great DI team project and continued use of DI to promote student learning. 
- Great school trip to Washington, DC 
- Having author Eric Walters visit our school and talk to our English classes. 
- Continuing the use of Edmodo to promote #edtech for students. 
- My first time teaching CHC2D - and their subsequent Holocaust Museum Exhibit project
- Participating in the Youth Philantrophy Initiative and having students from my class win the grant for their charity
- First time as an Associate Teacher and winning the Associate Teacher Award from Queens University
- Completing my Special Education Specialist
- Participating in the wonderful ATC dance program
- My friend and former colleague, Michelle Leni, being named one of 16 OCSB finalists for the Capital Educator's Award
- Fourth and final yearbook (full colour!) - a product our team is very proud of! 
- Expanding my professional learning network online, namely through Twitter 
- Joining the Canadian Ed Chat moderating team (#cdnedchat) 
- Joining LinkedIn to connect with other great educators 
- Commencement ceremony and seeing great kids graduate from high school! 



The wheels are already churning... thinking about my plans for next year and how I can make it even better! More use of Google products for education coming! Stay tuned!


Enjoy the rest of your summer! 


- MV