When I went to University, I learned so much about First Nation’s history here in Canada. I was jaw-dropped and taken back when I learned about the residential school system and how First Nation’s people were treated there. In my life, I have become very close friends with a few First Nations and have learned about their ways of living and listened carefully to the effects that history has had on them as a population. I also currently work at Klinic crisis center as a volunteer crisis counsellor. During my initial training there, a First Nation’s speaker came in and talked about the damage the system has done.  I truly have a strong passion and dedication to ensure that my students are aware of the importance of having respect for First Nations and not judging them. I take steps to ensure that the past will not be repeated and that any person of Aboriginal descent in my classroom feels that they belong and are cared for.

In my lessons, I try to incorporate a worldly-based knowledge that will help students understand the different cultural practices around the world. One of my favorite lessons was teaching about Christmas around the world and how different cultures practice Christmas.

I think it is fundamentally and incredibly important that we have students open their minds and perceptions to the multitude of how different cultures come together and that we must respect one another for our differences, and embrace each other despite these differences. Especially in living within a vast multi-cultural country, it is important to educate students about the importance of respecting one another and understanding that at our cores we all have feelings, desire to be loved, and to be respected.