By: Laura Steiner
Two Halton District School Board teachers are among a group of 53 Canadian teachers being recognized as Impact Influencers.
Alexandra Reynolds is a math teacher teaching math to all grade levels. “The most rewarding thing about teaching is when a student discovers how to figure something out on their own through an inquiry-based activity, when they didn’t initially realize they could learn it.” Reynolds said She is currently teaching grade 10 academics, and grade 12 calculus.
Shelby Firlit teaches at the Halton Virtual Elementary School North. For her the most rewarding part of being a teacher is “seeing students who have been written off by a lot of people, or who don’t enjoy coming to school have a change of heart,” Firlit said. Halton Virtual Elementary School North looks after students in Halton Hills and Milton.
A research panel, chosen by Knowledge Hook will evaluate the list of influencers based on a series of six criteria:
- Checking student understanding
- Using student needs as a guide for learning
- Adjusting instruction based on student needs
- Collecting evidence of student improvement
- Activating students as owners of their learning
- Embedding social emotional learning into everyday practice
The winners will be featured as part of the first annual Impact Awards on June 1, 2021. Knowledge Hook is a company offering web-based tools to help teachers adapt to online learning.
