February 1, 2016 Dear Michele Bilan and class I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Megan Janzen.
I am currently hard at work in my second professional semester in the education program, and I’m in my fourth year at the University of Lethbridge. I am in the faculty of science, with my major focusing in mathematics. My educational goal is to complete my Bachelor of Education degree with a focus in teaching math, science and kinesiology, at the middle school grade 7 to 9 level, and eventually get my masters.
Upon my graduation from Rundle Academy in Calgary Alberta, in 2012, I received both the Alexander Rutherford scholarship, and the Buckley scholarship. Rundle Academy is a school for students with learning disabilities. The support that I received from my teachers and the positive influences they had on me is a primary reason why I want to pursue a career in the teaching profession.
In the Fall 2013 semester, I completed a practicum as part of a kinesiology-coaching course. During this time I was responsible for coaching the Emmanuel Christian Grade 7 girls and boys volleyball teams. My responsibilities included: teaching the students the rules and game of volleyball, planning practices in order to help develop their skills, mentoring them through demonstration, and I acted as their leader and coach. In May and June 2014, I did my Education 2500 course and practicum. During this practicum I was a student teacher at Fish Creek Elementary School, with one of their grade 6 classes. During my time in this practicum I got to work one-on-one and with larger groups on projects and assignments. This practicum really allowed me to work with a diverse group of students learning their different learning styles and particular individual needs. In the Fall 215 semester I competed my PS 1 professional semester at Acadia Elementary teaching grade 2. During this practicum I got the opportunity to teach all of Gym, the Magnets unit in science, a health lesson along with art. I was able to work with a diverse group of students and also got to experience team teaching. We got to teach together a class of 26 students. This was a amazing experience for me to learn and practice for myself. As a new teacher and individual I believe strongly in the idea that all students can learn and be successful. I am excited to get to learn different ways to teach, different ways around the classroom and different ways to accommodate different learning styles.
During the summer, away from school, I am an assistant coach working to become a head coach for lacrosse teams. I am a lifeguard where teaching children about pool safety, even teaching them how to properly perform their swim strokes happens daily.
My interests and hobbies include: playing lacrosse (I am a goaltender for a junior lacrosse team), coaching, basketball, swimming, and being outside. I appreciate this opportunity to work with you and your class, and I look forward to meeting and getting to know you and your class.