KIRSTEN MUKUL
BSc, BEd, PBDE
01 about
Hello! Thank you for taking the time to visit my professional page. Hopefully you will learn a little bit about me as a teacher and get a glimpse into my current classroom. You will also see some of the amazing work that my students from past years have created and allowed me to share. If you have any questions, please contact me.
02 portfolio
Classroom Websites
Check out my classroom instagram @kirstens.classroom
This year I am teaching with Interdivisional Student Services. I teach English, life literacy, and Science courses for Grades 9-12 for teenagers and adult learners. In the past, I have also taught Family Studies, ICT, and career exploration courses.
I was fortunate a few years ago to use my Post Bacc in Inclusive Education while working at R.B. Russell High School as their Special Education Resource Teacher. I was able to work with learners of all age and skill levels to support in their classrooms and through specialized programming. Getting to see the school system from a support role helped me round out my own learning as a teacher and I am able to take my experience learning about the system we work in, back into the classroom.
My first teaching role was at Children of the Earth High School for four years teaching: Reading Is Thinking, Grade 10 Anatomy and Physiology SIC, Grade 10 Science, Grade 11 Biology, Grade 12 Biology, Grade 11 Chemistry and Grade 12 Chemistry in their Medical Careers Exploration Program. MCEP is a partnership between the Winnipeg School Division, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Pan Am Clinic and a variety of local hospitals and clinics. My students attended practicum placements for 20 weeks between Grades 10-12 each year. This involves a lot of coordination and communication between the staff, teachers, clinics and the students.
One of my goals as an educator was to make Science approachable to all students. This goal has now expanded to a variety of subjects as I moved into the SERT role, and now through teaching English courses. This is evident in my classroom by the physical space of my room, as well as the type of instruction and hands on learning I facilitate. I find that involving parents/caregivers and keeping them apprised of the goings on in class is another way to make my subjects approachable to students and their families.
03 philosophy
What I know and believe about learners impacts the way I teach. I know that relationships at the core of everything we do as teachers and students need to feel comfortable if they are going to take learning risks. All students are very capable and when given a challenge, they will rise to it. In my class, students are supported where they are at in their learning, in order to push their thinking forward and further develop their skills.
I believe that all students are able to learn and each individual has unique interests which keeps the classroom dynamic alive. It is through that belief that my educational philosophy emerges.
I believe:
-
that value can be found in differences, and these differences in a class allow an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences.
-
that as an educator, I need to play many roles within the classroom, which will allow me to be flexible with my students and with learning.
-
in critical and independent thinking.
-
reflection is an important step to the educational process.
-
assessment is important as it informs my teaching and using different forms of assessment is needed to show learning in multiple ways.
-
I need to support and encourage the creativity of my students.
-
students need the opportunity to interact and be engaged with their learning environment.
-
classroom space and procedures are another chance to increase student engagement.