This week we sat down with Ms. Carpenter of Grade 3B to chat about her 15 years at SJS, what she loves about teaching and why she is basically Indiana Jones.
Thanks for joining us Ms. Carpenter. Tell us about your early memories of education.
I grew up in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. My mom was a teacher, and so my interest in teaching started very young as I used to help her grade her spelling tests! I also learned that teachers keep candy and stickers in their desks, so as an eight year old this was a great incentive to make teaching a career.
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?
My mom was a big inspiration for me becoming a teacher; that and I have always loved children. I also wanted to be a vet when I was little because I love animals, but teaching seemed like a more accessible dream so I started down that route first.
What was your journey to becoming a teacher like?
I took a zig-zagged path to becoming a teacher. I started at the University of Victoria where I took my initial courses in primary education, but ended up switching to Classical studies instead because I fell in love with Greek and Roman history. I studied abroad in Greece for a few months before coming back to BC and attained my certificate to teach English as a second language.
Working with adults in Vancouver helped me find my love for teaching again. I wanted to do more, so I went to UBC and completed a teaching degree for elementary school education. I liken myself to Indiana Jones, both a classicist and a teacher, but adventures with eight-year-olds, while still exciting and sometimes unpredictable, are thankfully a little less dangerous!
You’ve been with SJS for 15 years, tell us about your time here so far.
I’ve had a variety of experiences over my 15 years at SJS, most of which were in the Junior School. I started in Grade 3 covering Ms. Ko’s maternity leave, and now we’ve come full circle; we’re teaching partners. After my first year at SJS, I was then moved up to Grade 4 for a couple of years and worked with a variety of teaching partners, including Mr. Mullen, when he first started.
After about seven years I took a one year sabbatical and travelled the world, volunteering at different schools and farms across the globe. When I returned to SJS I came back as the Experiential Learning Coordinator, which is now part of Ms. Minnema’s role. In that position I was fortunate to work with so many different students, which was wonderful, but I found I missed being a homeroom teacher and forming that close connection with one cohort of children and their families. So after four years in that experiential education role, I came back to the Junior School to teach Grade 3.
What is the best thing about working at SJS?
Community. We get to work with families who really want the school to thrive and our staff is incredibly supportive. We have shared in each other’s wins, losses and big life changes. It’s a unique work environment to have a deep connection with so many different people. Many of our teachers have been at SJS for a long time, which I think speak very highly of the school. Everyone here loves children and has devoted much of their lives to ensuring that our students and their families feel supported. Every year we’re turning out new curriculum, new ideas, new experiences and it’s inspiring to work with such passionate colleagues.
What is your favourite SJS tradition or event?
I love the winter concert. It’s a magical send off for the holidays. No matter how wonky the rehearsals may feel, the kids always pull it together and they perform beautifully. The Junior School children especially are so proud of themselves. I think our school does a beautiful job and it’s absolutely one of my favourites traditions.
Grade 3 camp is my other highlight event. The students get to be so unabashedly themselves. We take our students on their first overnight camp at the end of the year, which sometimes makes them feel a bit nervous. However, by this time they’re so comfortable with their peers and our teachers, they really get to be their authentic, wonderful selves. The outdoor education program is so important for our school. Spending time in nature and the opportunity to get to know the students on a different level is such an important community building experience for them.
What is special about teaching Grade 3?
It’s the best year! Although I say that about whichever grade I’m teaching. What’s special about Grade 3s is that they’re a mix of independent and curious. They’re fairly self-sufficient, building up their resilience, and their endless curiosity is contagious. Their brains are starting to grasp content at a deeper, more mature level and they communicate their ideas with increased confidence. I feel like at this age there’s a big step up in their learning, and yet they are still kids who love to play, laugh and be silly.
They are also very earnest and wear their hearts on their sleeves and it’s a beautiful way to live with that kind of raw experience of life. Overall, I love their energy and their attitude toward learning. I’m a very curious person myself and they inspire that curiosity and give me different perspectives to learn and think from.
What do you love to do when you’re not working?
Travel. I always have to have a flight booked. Over the November break, my family and I went to Guadalajara and this summer there are plans to visit family in the UK and explore some “new to me” countries in Europe. When I’m at home, I’m happy with a good book or long walks in the forest or by the beach. I’m happiest when I’m near the water. I also love horseback riding, which has been an indulgence of mine since I was young. Most of all though, I love to spend time with my friends and family.
