I have been lucky enough so far in my life to have been able to experience many different types of jobs and gather plenty of work experience. There are a lot of skills that are shared between all professions and I believe every job I've ever had has been preparing me to become a teacher.

I have multiple years as a summer camp counselor with the BC SPCA in Vancouver. I feel that leading summer camps is amazing career experience for me. While working for any summer camp would be valuable for a teacher I feel the SPCA camps are especially relevant. Not only have I been able to practice important techniques such as controlling attention, dealing with deviants, and checking for understanding, but I also have a SPCA curriculum to teach the campers. We teach a lot of ecology at the camps and learn about the different types of animals, ecosystems, pollution, and how humans interact with the environment. We even teach bioaccumulation, a topic on the BC grade 10 PLOs. The children also get to learn about the SPCA and how to advocate for animals and any issue they find important. I am very proud of my job at the SPCA because of the work we are doing. Many children do not get to have pets and this socialization with animals is a unique opportunity for them to find out lessons they would otherwise be missing.

I have experience in coaching and volunteering with children. As a coach I have built teams based on positive feedback and hard work. Enjoying the game is more important than winning. Coaching is something I am very passionate about because it gives me a chance to repay my debt to so many great coaches who volunteered their time when I was a student. Coaching has taught me many lessons on the administration side of the job. Organizing a team and the games is a lot of work. We really can't take for granted the coaches that put in their free time to create opportunities for children to be active.

My volunteer experience at Pearkes Recreation Centre allowed me to hang out with and supervise children in a more casual role than coaching. My experience there has taught me many valuable lessons. It is great to see the same faces come in every week and to get to know each child. I quickly became an important source of information for these children and a valued confidant.

I have worked at quite a few restaurants. These jobs have provided me with plenty of valuable and transferable skills to my career's context. Working in a kitchen I have learned the importance of teamwork and communication, as well as, patience and hard work. Other transferable skills include a Food Safe and keeping a clean, safe working space in general.