Hello, my name is Jessica and I am 23 years old. I have always loved working with children and just finished my first year of teachers college at Brock University. I love playing sports and grew up playing hockey and lacrosse. During my time at Brock I was fortunate to play a few intramural sports and loved to hike the nearby trails. I finished my undergrad in child and youth studies, in which I learned about creating positive environments and how to help children reach their full potential. Kind, nurturing, patient and enthusiastic are characteristics that are often used when describing me. I have worked the past 4 summers at Better Beginnings Nursery School. There I created and taught lessons for the nursery school aged students and created engaging activities for the after school primary aged students. I prioritized safety and the engagement of the children. My love of reading and creating art was an asset during my experience here. In addition I was fortunate to have placements and then be hired by the Niagara School Board to run a tutoring program for the past 4 years. I loved tutoring as I was able to work in small groups and make connections with the students. During my experience at the YMCA as a one on one camp counsellor I worked with individuals with exceptionalities such as autism, fragile x, and down syndrome. I love creating inclusive environments and am patient with all abilities. I have been a babysitter for multiple families in my neighbourhood and cannot believe that some of the children I babysat are now graduating high school. I look forward to bringing my energy and excitement to working for you.

Being a teacher-in-training I am fortunate to have a lot of experience working with children. I have volunteered in classrooms ranging from Kindergarten to grade 8. I have also previously worked as a one-on-one counsellor at the Toronto Island YMCA. I worked with individuals with multiple exceptionalities including fragile X, downs syndrome, autism and a blind individual. In addition, I have worked at a Nursrey/Pre School as a Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher. There I worked with children aged 2-5 on their beginning reading and math skills. I was also hired by the Niagara District School Board to be a tutor in the classroom, where I ran a program called LLI (leveled literacy intervention) to improve students from grade 1-4’s reading abilities. Lastly the Niagara School Board also hired me as a lunch room/recess monitor. In this job, I ensured safe environments for children from Kindergarten to grade 8 to play. I have had great success in my experiences working with children because I value positivity and safety. I ensure every child feels cared for and valued which has proven to go along way. I want to continue working with children to increase my knowledge and understanding of how different children think and succeed. From experience, I understand how different all children are and believe practical experience is so meaningful in guiding my understanding of child development.

I am a positive, organized and energetic teacher in training at Brock University. My undergrad is in child and youth studies which I finished in 2019. I have finished my first year of the two year teachers college program. When I graduate I will be able to teach from kindergarten to grade six. I do not have a favourite age to teach, as with every age comes unique rewards and experience.