Welcome to my Web Portfolio! My name is Katie Dow and I am a graduate of the Bachelor of Education programme at St. Thomas University. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2011, from St. Thomas University with concentrations in English and Psychology.
I have always had a passion for teaching and working with children. Throughout my years of Middle and High School I had many opportunities to volunteer and work with a number of students in my community. I coached and refereed soccer throughout my youth and teenage years, as well as volunteered at my local elementary school. My upbringing was embedded with involvement, whether it was in sports, volunteerism, clubs, organizations or any other extracurricular activities. My childhood embedded a sense of community and leadership in me which has served me well throughout my teaching experience.
My time at St. Thomas University has enriched my educational knowledge and opened my mind to ways of thinking, that have developed me into the educator that I can proudly call myself today. The eleven months spent in the Bachelor of Education Programme have provided me with stress, success, and a sense of accomplishment more than I have ever experienced. It has allowed me two exceptional internship experiences in Fredericton, N.B.
I have always had a passion for teaching and working with children. Throughout my years of Middle and High School I had many opportunities to volunteer and work with a number of students in my community. I coached and refereed soccer throughout my youth and teenage years, as well as volunteered at my local elementary school. My upbringing was embedded with involvement, whether it was in sports, volunteerism, clubs, organizations or any other extracurricular activities. My childhood embedded a sense of community and leadership in me which has served me well throughout my teaching experience.
My time at St. Thomas University has enriched my educational knowledge and opened my mind to ways of thinking, that have developed me into the educator that I can proudly call myself today. The eleven months spent in the Bachelor of Education Programme have provided me with stress, success, and a sense of accomplishment more than I have ever experienced. It has allowed me two exceptional internship experiences in Fredericton, N.B.
At New Maryland Elementary School I taught 40 grade two students in a team-teaching environment. During this internship I was responsible for the planning and delivery of lessons in Literacy, Math, Art, Social Studies & Health ('You and Your World'), French, and Science. This unique experience guided me into full time teaching independence. I was glad to have not one, but two experienced professional teachers to help me transition from student teacher to self-reliant educator. It was at New Maryland that I was first exposed to Professional Learning Communities (PLC's). I had the chance to watch and become involved in the planning and professional dialogue that took place in these meetings.
It was at New Maryland Elementary School that I was also first exposed to guided reading. At the beginning of my internship I was provided with a group of A level (non-reader) students. This was a difficult but rewarding experience and taught me immensely about students with challenges in learning through traditional methods. I had to think of new and unconventional ways of helping these students realize their potential and become interested in words and reading. In my team-teaching classroom I was also exposed to many behavioral issues, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and restrictions, and cases of students at extreme risk. This internship experience exposed me to the real-world issues that teachers deal with on a day-to-day basis. I learned more than just how to teach; I learned why I need to teach. I became a passionate and responsible professional who realized what being a fantastic teacher looks like and requires.
Park Street School provided me with another exceptional and unique learning and teaching experience. I had the opportunity to teach 41 grade three and four students in a newly formed team-teaching environment. When I began my teaching experience in this classroom I was solely responsible for the 23 students on my class list. However, with my knowledge and assistance my cooperating teacher and myself amalgamated our classroom and students with our neighbouring teacher. In this leadership role I independently coordinated and delivered lessons. I taught Literacy, Science, Social Studies, Professional Development and Career Planning (P.D.C.P), Health, Art, and Math.
At Park Street, a common and successful instructional practice is the implementation and use of flexible groupings. In the PLC's that I was involved in, I was able to organize and group students in ways that best suited their learning needs. We used these flexible groups to teach Math to students in grades three to five. I was responsible for my own grade three math group as well as a guided reading group at the P level. Aside from my normal teaching responsibilities I also participated and led student groups in the school. I helped coordinate and organize the school talent show and I also was the sole supervisor for a grade K to two student led group, "the animal club." Park Street School provided me with daily opportunities to grow professionally and personally. I felt truly at home and forged many life-long professional relationships. Teaching at Park Street showed me another side of myself, and another side of the education system. I am grateful for the students, fellow teachers, and administrators that made my time at Park Street truly unforgettable.
Since my internships I have had the opportunity to grow as an educator. I have had 3 years of classroom experience from supply teaching to the full time responsibilities of a Grade 5 class. As I begin this school year I am looking forward to learning even more with my new group of students at VMES!
Since my internships I have had the opportunity to grow as an educator. I have had 3 years of classroom experience from supply teaching to the full time responsibilities of a Grade 5 class. As I begin this school year I am looking forward to learning even more with my new group of students at VMES!