Welcome

Over my years of teaching, one of my favourite things to do has been traveling. I’ve had the opportunity to teach in Hong Kong, Ghana, and Malaysia. Back home in Winnipeg, I’ve taught in both public and private schools. I believe that having a diverse range of experiences—and seeing the world as more than just a tourist—has broadened my perspective and shaped my approach to teaching.

Travel has helped me connect with students around the world, whether it’s through learning different languages or exploring local foods. These experiences have also exposed me to a variety of teaching styles, pedagogies, and professional development opportunities. Most importantly, traveling has helped me better understand different cultures and lived experiences, deepening my awareness of privilege, racism, and diversity. Living and working in different parts of the world has given me a more informed and personal understanding of what it means to be anti-racist, and it continues to shape how I teach and support my students today.

In my article “Breaking the Ice,” I share my experience growing up as a newcomer to Canada and how hockey helped me feel a sense of belonging. I didn’t start skating until I was 10, and while I never played competitively, the sport became a big part of my life. I’ve seen how hard it can be for newcomer families to access hockey, so I started a “learn to skate” program to introduce students to the sport in a fun, welcoming way. For me, hockey isn’t just a game—it’s a way to build community and show that everyone belongs.

In this article, I share a 3D-printed Boggle-style game I created to help students practice naming binary compounds. Instead of letters, the dice have ions and element names, and students race against the clock to form correct chemical formulas or names. It’s competitive, hands-on, and way more engaging than worksheets. The game encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and even lets students design their own dice, combining chemistry with creativity and 3D design.

I organized hands-on learning experiences to help my students connect science to the real world. At Arctic Science Day at FortWhyte Alive, my Grade 11 students collected lake water samples, measured oxygen levels, and studied algae with Arctic researchers. I also took my senior biology class to the Youth BIOlab Jeunesse, where they isolated a heart valve, examined DNA, and explored cardiovascular systems in a professional lab setting. These opportunities help students see how science is applied beyond the classroom and inspire them to explore careers in research and healthcare.