My passion is teaching grade 7, and this is exactly what I have been doing for the last four years at an inner-city community school in Cloverdale (George Greenaway Elementary) with the Surrey School District. Before that I thought in Whalley (K.B. Woodward Elementary), for two years, teaching grades 6 & 7. I am the head of the physical education committee for our school and part of the Surrey Elementary Athletic Society. My favourite part of my job is coaching: this is where I connect with the students and attempt to instil within them a sense of love of sport, which will hopefully be a seed for an active lifestyle into their adult lives. I am a huge advocator for active living and participation in sports, and hope that through the next two years I can find new ways to engage students into becoming physically active and help them find ways to maintain their level of activeness outside of school; as well as, increasing students' knowledge through education on healthy lifestyle practices, with regards to not only active living but also nutrition and emotional health.
I attempt to lead a healthy lifestyle myself, eating local and organic rich nutrient foods and maintaining an active lifestyle. My favourite activities are water based, mainly kayaking, sailing, and swimming. During the summer, I am usually found at Crescent Beach for an early morning paddle where I clear my mind and get ready for the day. For the last few summers, my husband and I have also been taking lengthy sailing trips. We started by sailing around the Vancouver Islands and recently did a tour of the isles in Greece. This last summer I also began horseback riding recreationally.
As fun as these activities are, they are not ones that I can participate in daily throughout the year. So, to keep active during the rest of the year, I do weight and cardio training at the gym a few days a week, and attend a Hatha Yoga class once a week. As well, I play in a co-ed volleyball league and attend a drop-in volleyball session weekly.
I am hoping that throughout the next two years, with the added stress and responsibility of school, I am able to maintain my active lifestyle and health regime: balancing work, school, and my social life while staying healthy and active.
