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Melanie Niederegger

Throughout my experiences as a teacher candidate at UBC, I have had the distinct pleasure to work collaboratively with many talented, diverse, and skilled educators who have had a tremendous impact on my growth as I have developed my teaching identity. My School Advisor in particular, was an extremely supportive, encouraging, dynamic and knowledgeable teacher-mentor who taught me to embrace mistakes and to regard them as opportunities for growth. She taught me to continuously reflect on my teaching approach and to embrace changes throughout my teaching journey.  I have come to appreciate the complexities of learning and have begun to move forward in my approach to teaching, by creating learning environments that provide students with meaningful and cohesive contexts. As a beginning teacher, I have gained insights and balance in my teaching through continuous reflection, professional development, developing collaborative relationships and through teachable moments.

My practicum provided me with valuable insights into the craft of teaching and allowed me to experience the true joy of learning. The successes of my practicum were due in part to creating relatable curriculum that was pertinent and fun for my students. The most valuable tool I developed during my practicum was creating a cooperative learning environment, in which all members of the classroom community were encouraged to listen attentively, provide their peers with appreciation, mutual respect and the right to pass. The establishment of trust, understanding and respect were vital elements to creating a safe space for learning and contributed to my success as a teacher candidate.

I will continue to work on my craft and hope to impact others with my love for learning and teaching. Learning is a process that involves a continuous journey that has no boundaries.  I believe that curiosity and team work are vital to my teaching practice and stimulate my desire to reinvent my practices through active learning, reflection, creativity and my confidence to accept and present new ideas. My journey as a teacher has only just begun. My practicum and UBC teacher education experiences have left me feeling empowered for the next stages of my career as a TOC for school district #57 (Prince George), and I feel prepared to face any future challenges.