ABOUT ME

TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE : THE CAREER PATH FOR ME

There are many reasons why I chose to become an English as a second language teacher. The first one comes from my love of the English language. I have always been very fond of English literature, and I love speaking. I also love writing, in academic contexts and just for fun. The second reason stems from my love of helping others and seeing them succeed. It is cliché, but I love to see the amazement in a student’s eyes when they finally understand what we have been studying. Even if it is only a small piece of information they will use once in their life, it is definitely worth it! The third reason I chose this discipline is the many opportunities this career path might take me on. I could travel the world with this degree, as well as teach right here in Montreal, my hometown. These paths both interest me. The fourth and last reason I chose teaching English as a second language is local. I noticed in my years of high school that the curriculum for English classes allows teachers to explore almost any subject they would like, while evaluating the ministerial competencies. This freedom in teaching is very appealing to me. I love having open discussions with my students, and teaching language that way. Young people have an interesting insight on the world, and as teacher we must be models that listen to what they have to say.

PERSONAL LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE

In my last year of high school, I was chosen by the University of Ottawa for an exclusive opportunity to go do a bachelor’s degree in Theatre, right after graduating. I was very passionate about the subject at the time and was eager to move onto a higher education. At the age of 16, I was going to start my university education. After careful consideration, I decided it was better to move onto Cegep before doing anything else. I am very glad I did, because I chose a great program, Film and New Media at Champlain College. Even though I realized during the course of my studies that the film industry was not the career path for me, I was able to develop my communications skills, and eventually discover my interest in teaching English. This particular interest was developed when I was chosen to be an English tutor for the school’s writing centre. My task was to guide students with their college-level work in English and literature classes, as well as develop their writing and oral skills. I loved helping those students, and enjoyed the intellectual challenge it brought on. Becoming an English as a second language teacher will surely challenge me every day.

My time at McGill University is something I will cherish my whole life. In addition to getting a quality undergraduate degree, I have been able to develop myself as an adult, feel fulfilled and satisfied in my accomplishments, and make some great friends along the way. Furthermore, I have discovered a passion for student government within the Education Undergraduate Society of McGill, the student society that represents all students of the Faculty of Education. Through this association, I have held the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs for the 2020-2021 school year. As VP Academic, I held responsibility for all educational concerns brought up to the EdUS, represented the EdUS in faculty run committees, organized workshops and teaching resources for undergraduate students, and ran the Mentorship Program. I loved this position so much that in the 2021-2022 EdUS elections, I ran for the position of President and won! My presidential term spanned from May 1st, 2021 to April 30th, 2022. In my position as President, I learned an immeasurable amount of skills, from leadership to communications. It was an eye opening experience, as I discovered a passion for student initiatives and advocacy. 

PROFESSIONAL LIFE

I was lucky enough to have worked in diverse environments in the last six years. I have worked as a barista at a large coffee chain, as a floor manager in a clothing store, as an assistant photographer in a professional photography studio, and as a sales representative for travel packages. Through this wide variety of employment, I have discovered myself, and what I love doing. I have also learned how to work in a team, and individually, to be responsible of my own team of employees, and have my own responsibilities. More closely related to my current field of work, I have worked as a private at-home tutor for students of all ages, in almost every subject from first grade of elementary school to the last grade of high school. I have learned a great deal about myself as a an educator through these experiences.

In 2020, I had an amazing opportunity to work as a part-time high school teacher at St-Edmond International, the local public high school in my area. While I was there, I taught grade seven Arts and grade eight ESL. I also helped out around the school when colleagues were absent; I even taught mathematics for a whole month! I loved my work at this school. This work experience taught me how to be versatile, as teaching arts is not my domain of expertise. 

In 2021, I had another great teaching opportunity: resource teaching. After making connections while substitute teaching at Greenfield Park International Elementary School, I was approached to become a part-time resource teacher. As the pandemic had greatly affected the students' academic outcomes in the past year, the administration was looking to fill this position with a motivated individual with a passion for learning. That was the perfect position for me! Through this position, I offered pedagogical support to students, from grades one through six, in French and Mathematics. In addition, I provided relief to my teaching colleagues during harder times in the classroom. This work experience allowed to develop special connections with the students I helped, as well as develop strong relationships with my colleagues, who have become friends.