Brett Lantz

Physical education should form social skills, physical literacy, and individual confidence that permeate throughout the student's lives. This is formed through multi-level adaptations in which everyone is able to participate and learn from others. Utilizing a "game" or "play" type teaching will involve teamwork that gives roles to students that lasts throughout the courses, this will allow for the individual to learn new skills, gain confidence, and understand all aspects of sport (i.e. managing, coaching, playing, reffing). 

My name is Brett Lantz and I am a student at University of Victoria pursuing the PDPP (Post Degree Professional Program) in hopes to become a high school physical education and social studies teacher. Having already completed a Bachelors of Fine Arts (Photography) Degree at Ryerson University I am also able to teach art, graphic design, and photography within a high school setting. 

Spending most of my time outdoors, or in the gym I have had a lot of experience teaching already within these settings. I was the head coach of Spectrum Jr. Boys Volleyball in 2018, and was the Assistant Coach for the Victoria High School Boys Basketball during the 2018/2019 season. I learned a lot about what it takes to be a coach during these volunteer positions, from conflict resolution to skill progression. Being passionate about the outdoors I was a Leadership Counselor (ages 16-18), Sunship Earth Counselor (science focused outdoor school for grade 6), and Kananaskin counselor (ages 12-14) at Camp Chief Hector YMCA. During these sessions I was able to teach my campers about social, personal, and community skills. This ranged from twelve day backpacking trips where I would help facilitate the groups tasks, to teaching interactive science courses. 

Within my University of Victoria career I have been able to go into a physical education classroom at Gordon Head Middle school and teach three classes. My partner and I focused on teaching pickelball through the Teaching Games for Understanding model (TGfU). Together we created a four class ruberic that we used to teach during our time at Gordon Head.

Overall, I'm transferring my skills from the outdoors, and the court into the classroom. The TGfU model is allowing me to use progression and fun games to teach students in a more interactive and social community domain. 

Being interviewed by both Kerry Robertson and Jessica Smith not only formalized the TGfU knowledge that I gained throughout the semester, but demonstrated the severity and importance of our work as educators. Being able to demonstrate what I learned through showing it on Folioz allowed me to not only sound good but look good. Having actual examples to support the TGfU theories that I acquired in class made me feel and look more professional. 

Using this forum as a means to look back on what I have learned throughout this course reveals any confusion or frustration I had at the time of trying to acquire the knowledge. Dr. Tim Hopper not only taught us a TGfU approach to learning but subliminally taught it to use within the TGfU method. This forced a new way of thinking, and understanding that quite honestly surfaced as frustration due to my struggle with grasping new teaching methods. However now being able to look back upon my artifacts and explain the theory and understanding that they demonstrate makes me proud of what I achieved within this course. 

Moving forward within my professional education career, TGfU practices will permeate throughout my lesson plans. Focusing on inclusion as well as sports education models to propel my courses forward by allowing most of the kids to be active most of the time. These ideas will allow a larger appreciation and life long engagement with physical activity for my students. 

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Doug Saul

dougsaul@gmail.com

6 1065 Evergreen Circle, Canmore, AB, T1W 2P8

To Whom it May Concern,

It gives me great pleasure to write in support of Brett Lantz’s application to work with you.

I had the opportunity to employ Brett for two years as a Camp Counsellor at Camp Chief Hector YMCA, where I was Summer Camp Director. Brett began teaching the Sunship Earth Program to school groups arriving weekly for our Outdoor School Program. Within this program Brett taught middle school children the fundamentals of science through interactive learning initiatives. By interacting with both students and teachers in a professional and encouraging manner, Brett demonstrated that he is an outstanding role model.

During the summer, Brett supervised and mentored the twelve-to-fourteen year old boys groups. Teaching basic outdoor skills, Brett showed patience and a keen sense of individual learning styles that in turn nurtured a strong camper community. Brett developed and showed his leadership strengths, such as managing safety, extending kindness towards others and creating a positive peer culture.

Brett’s professionalism made him a natural choice to be one of the staff members to go and greet new campers and their parents at the Calgary YMCA location. Brett put at ease the new campers and their families, creating trust and confidence in the camp’s clients.

When Camp Chief Hector YMCA was being evaluated by Parks Canada, I selected Brett’s group for a visit by the Parks Canada staff member. As the officer joined Brett’s group for a day of hiking, I trusted that Brett would be supporting the childcare and leadership vision as laid out by the YMCA. I knew, as well, that Brett would be teaching his campers outdoor skills and he would be playing interactive games. The safety officer was impressed with the quality of Brett’s leadership and noted that Brett had encouraged leadership and self-discovery among the campers.

During Brett’s second summer at Camp Chief Hector YMCA, he was an instructor for the camp’s 16Y co-educational Leadership groups. Over two month-long sessions, the program’s objectives were to teach the campers advanced outdoor skills, how to develop effective leadership, and how to use these skills to teach others. Brett excelled at instructing his campers. Brett adapted his teaching styles in order to accommodate the different needs of each of his campers.  His campers reflected the kindness and rigour that he modelled. I believe Brett has had a positive and long-term impact on their lives.

Brett has demonstrated consistently that he is professional and caring and that he is an effective educator.

If you have any follow-up questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Doug Saul