Introduction

Hi! My name is Lyndsay James. I am a Grade 5 teacher with a passion and love for learning and teaching. In 2014 I completed a Bachelor of Education Degree with a focus on Social Emotional Learning from the University of British Columbia. I spent a few years teaching grade 4/5 and dabbling in some educational course work in Children's Literature at UBC. It felt very fitting when looking into a masters program to continue my educational journey at UBC. But I was looking for that just right Master's Program, one that aligned with my teaching style, beliefs, values, and would help further my career. Then one day I attended an info session and made the commitment to apply to the Master’s Degree program in Human Development, Learning and Culture with a concentration in Self-Regulated Learning. Now here I am just about finished my program and reflecting on my journey and planning for the future. My completion date is December 2019.

My experience, education and skills have grown over time, but what has continued to stay steadfast is my belief in educating not only the mind but the heart as well. My positive classroom environment proudly fosters Social Emotional Learning, Self-Regulation, and the core competencies. I incorporate and implement teaching through the five areas of Social Emotional Learning such as Self-Management, Self Awareness, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skills and Social Awareness. 

When I reflect back to the beginning and think about what was my driving force in applying for the program, I can credit my love of learning, curiosity, and the nagging feeling of that my teaching degree just wasn't enough. There was a need and a want to learn more to provide my students with the best education and to help meet their diversity of needs.  Classrooms and schools are increasingly complex places, and gaining more skills and knowledge I found would be a benefit. Also, I am a collaborator, and I like to learn with and from others. Therefore, a program that met in person each week and gave me a chance to be in a community of learners with a similar mindset was a big motivator. Also during my practicum and first few years of teaching I was trying learn more about self-regulation, motivation, and how best to the diversity of student needs and learning styles. This master’s program seemed very fitting as it was advertised as a skill to help 21st century learners adapt to school, learning, and environment. 

Currently I am a grade 5 teacher who is passionate about Core Competencies, communicating student learning, and has an unwavering love and growing collection of picture books. Some of the various projects I have been fortunate to be a part of during my teaching career are, I was selected to be on the BCTF Core Competencies Revision and Finalization Project Committee, at the end of the 2019 school year. During this project I worked to develop illustrations of core competencies that were published on the BC Ministry of Education new curriculum website. I have presented at various Communicating Student Learning workshops in the Surrey School District. I helped participate in the resource review panel for intermediate literature and reading resources in the district. This was a wonderful way to learn and critically think about different teaching materials available and expand my intermediate level literature knowledge. I was a presenter at a cross Pollination District Event on the topic of Project Based Learning and Communicating Student Learning where I shared my playful elapsed time project and ideas for communicating student learning. On the topic of Core Competencies and Communicating student learning, I participated in an interview with the District Principal of Communicating student learning, and he documented a core competency project being completed in my classroom around the book What Matters. This led to a video being created and resulting materials that can be used in classrooms around the district. As a learner and collaborator I have been fortunate to be part of district inquiry’s on Core Competencies and Student Reflection, Freshgrade, Communicating Student Learning, Intermediate Playful Mathematics. In addition to district work and collaboration with colleagues, I have hosted 3 different #BCEDchats on Twitter which has given me great opportunities to lead discussions with personal learning networks. 

If I pause and think into the future, after a fulfilling career as a classroom teacher, my love of working and learning with others would lend itself fitting to pursue a goal of becoming a district helping teacher. In my district this teaching role provides leadership, mentorship and help in the development and implementation of curriculum to support teachers and learners. I would like to set this as a career aspiration because I believe deeply in learning with and from eachother, as well as lifelong learning. This special role allows you to continue learning, discovering your passion and sharing it with others, but also travelling around the district co teaching, and providing mentorship opportunities.