My name is Hannah, and I am currently a student at the University of Northern British Columbia in the Elementary Teacher Education program. As I begin this chapter, I am looking forward to discovering my own teaching style and developing the knowledge and skills needed to support my future students. I am particularly interested in incorporating land-based and experiential learning into my teaching practices and exploring how learning can extend beyond the traditional classroom.
I grew up in Quesnel, which is situated on the unceded territory of the Lhtako Dene First Nation. Growing up, I spent a lot of time outdoors hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, camping, and snowshoeing. These experiences have shaped my appreciation for the land and continue to influence my interest in land-based learning as a future educator.
This photo was taken after snowshoeing near the ski hill that is close to Quesnel and represents the connection I have developed with the outdoors throughout my life.
My connection to the outdoors has also encouraged me to think more deeply about the relationship between land, learning, and community. I recognize the importance of Indigenous perspectives that emphasize relationships with the land, community, and place. As I continue my journey as an educator, I hope to deepen my understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and ways of knowing, particularly those of the communities where I live and teach, and respectfully carry this learning into my future classroom. I hope to create opportunities for my students to learn through exploration and develop meaningful connections with their surroundings.
Outside of education, I enjoy baking, knitting, travelling, and reading, along with other activities that allow me to be creative, curious, and willing to try new things.
Before entering the Teacher Education program, I completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to work within a school system, but it was through my studies in psychology that I began to better understand why. I learned about the ways childhood experiences can shape emotional development, motivation, learning patterns, and long-term well-being. My education has helped me recognize that teachers do much more than teach curriculum; they can also play an important role in a child’s sense of safety, confidence, belonging, and identity. The opportunity to have a positive influence during such an important stage of a child’s life is a major part of what draws me to teaching.
As I develop as an educator, I hope to create a classroom where students feel safe, respected, curious, and comfortable being themselves. I also recognize that becoming a teacher means committing to being a lifelong learner. Throughout the Teacher Education program, I hope to challenge myself, learn from students and experienced educators, remain open to feedback, and continually reflect on my own practices. I know that my understanding of teaching will continue to evolve, and I look forward to discovering the kind of educator I will become.