Who am I?
My name is Rita Abou Gharib and I was born and raised in Calgary. My parents both came from Lebanon 21 years ago as refugees but since then I have had a few chances to go to Lebanon and I have learned to speak the language fluently.
I graduated December 2014 from my programs with great distinction and as part of my University requirements, I have acquired teaching experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels in both rural and urban school districts. I became interested in drama in high school; I had an amazing teacher who really inspired me. There are many reasons I decided to become a teacher and one of them includes that very teacher. I saw and felt exactly how much a teacher can influence a student’s life in a positive way and I decided that I wanted to be a part of that process.
My interests include reading, cooking/baking, photography, walking/biking and drama. I love to be around people; especially children. During my second semester I took Theatre for Young Audiences I and II and I have never loved acting for an audience as much as I did for young ones.
I believe that the best lessons learned, are the ones taught to us by experience; I try to incorporate this into my lessons everyday with my classroom. Children can be motived to learn complex things very simply. An example of this is a lesson I created with cookies. I wanted my children to understand fractions and its importance to us in everyday situations, which is why I asked them to use fractions to measure the various ingredients required to make one of their favourite foods, cookies! After baking the cookies, the grade 2s identified the different affects temperature had on the cookie dough and used division to share the cookies equal among themselves.
I am continuously looking for new ways to integrate both technology and literature in the classroom. During my time at D.A. Ferguson, I introduced students to monologues using the book, The Day The Crayons Quit. Then, I had the students self reflect. In order to do that, I filmed the performances, posted the videos as unlisted to YouTube and created a QR code that would take them to their video. My goal is to keep students engaged, while giving them the skills they need to become motivated, successful, life long learners.
I graduated December 2014 from my programs with great distinction and as part of my University requirements, I have acquired teaching experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels in both rural and urban school districts. I became interested in drama in high school; I had an amazing teacher who really inspired me. There are many reasons I decided to become a teacher and one of them includes that very teacher. I saw and felt exactly how much a teacher can influence a student’s life in a positive way and I decided that I wanted to be a part of that process.
My interests include reading, cooking/baking, photography, walking/biking and drama. I love to be around people; especially children. During my second semester I took Theatre for Young Audiences I and II and I have never loved acting for an audience as much as I did for young ones.
I believe that the best lessons learned, are the ones taught to us by experience; I try to incorporate this into my lessons everyday with my classroom. Children can be motived to learn complex things very simply. An example of this is a lesson I created with cookies. I wanted my children to understand fractions and its importance to us in everyday situations, which is why I asked them to use fractions to measure the various ingredients required to make one of their favourite foods, cookies! After baking the cookies, the grade 2s identified the different affects temperature had on the cookie dough and used division to share the cookies equal among themselves.
I am continuously looking for new ways to integrate both technology and literature in the classroom. During my time at D.A. Ferguson, I introduced students to monologues using the book, The Day The Crayons Quit. Then, I had the students self reflect. In order to do that, I filmed the performances, posted the videos as unlisted to YouTube and created a QR code that would take them to their video. My goal is to keep students engaged, while giving them the skills they need to become motivated, successful, life long learners.
Statement of Personal Teaching Beliefs and Values
Beliefs towards teaching and myself…
Beliefs toward Guardians/Community…
Beliefs toward Students…
- I do all that I can to inspire students to be confident enough to “take chances, make mistakes and get messy.” (Magic School Bus, Ms. Frizzle)
- Teaching is a lot of things; it is learning, leading by example and coaching. It is sharing your passion with others and inspiring them to be their best. I am present for the students and I do everything I can to help them succeed. I try my best to make an impression because I know it can take only one teacher to really care to make a difference in a student’s life. I am comfortable and confident around students, very organized and I am always thinking on my feet. Although teaching is challenging, it is also very rewarding. Having the opportunity to work with young people, I find myself coming home with a smile, because every day I learn something new or I help someone accomplish something they didn’t think they could accomplish. I found I am able to understand students, connect with them and help them with their learning. I always want to be able to create a positive learning environment where students can learn, grow and express themselves. I understand that every student has different needs to which I will work to accommodate, but at the same time I must treat all my students fairly.
Beliefs toward Guardians/Community…
- I always try to build connections and communicate effectively with parents/guardians so that we may support student learning together. I do this by building relationships that extend beyond the classroom through invitations to share information, goal setting conferences and check in’s. I am open to criticism and growth with the generations of students as a teacher. I consider myself a full time teacher and I always try to be the best that I can be so that I may lead by example.
Beliefs toward Students…
- Sometimes life can make it easy to see the glass half empty but I believe, each student a glass to which I have been given the opportunity to fill. Teachers should be capable of seeing a student’s true potential so that they might push them to be their best, even if the student doesn’t yet realize it. Teachers make truly noticeable differences in a student’s life and inspire a student to try their best so they can discover their talents.
Teacher Pledge for Digital Citizenship
- Through teamwork, collaboration and communication I will build a Professional Learning Network where I can connect reflect and further my professional development.
- I will not just be an observer I will use my PLN to contribute fully to the online community.
- I will build online relationships with other educators based on humility, fairness and open-mindedness and demonstrate respect, empathy and compassion.
- I will use technology to learn, innovate, communicate and discover.
- I will lead by example and follow the “three E’s” of learning in the 21st Century. I will be an Engaged thinker and an Ethical Citizen and have an Entrepreneurial Spirit.
- I will build a positive digital footprint by constantly being aware of my online presence and making sure that reflects positively on me as a professional.
- I will get to know the services and web sites that can be integrated into the classroom to further students learning. If I don’t know how to use them, I will take the time to learn how.
- I will understand that not everyone has the same access to or utilizes technology in the same way. I will demonstrate understanding and adapt lessons to meet student needs.
- I will not limit or manage student’s use of technology. Instead I will teach students how to use technology safely and appropriately.
- I will adapt to changes in technology regarding education with an attitude of optimism and hope for the future.
Knowledge, Skills and Attributes:
#2 - Teachers understand the legislated, moral and ethical framework within which they work.
#7 - Teachers create and maintain environments that are conductive to students learning, and understand students needs for physical, social, cultural and psychological security
#8 -Teachers establish relationships with students that respect human dignity
#16 - Teachers are able to communicate a personal vision of their own teaching
#2 - Teachers understand the legislated, moral and ethical framework within which they work.
#7 - Teachers create and maintain environments that are conductive to students learning, and understand students needs for physical, social, cultural and psychological security
#8 -Teachers establish relationships with students that respect human dignity
#16 - Teachers are able to communicate a personal vision of their own teaching