they can trust me. Most importantly, I want them to know that I care about them.
What is your favourite part of being a teacher and helping students learn? When I was a swim coach, I loved working with younger kids because I could see their progress. For example, when someone finally learns how to do a flip turn, you can see their feeling of accomplishment. As I got older, I coached both younger kids and older swimmers, including 18 and 19-year-olds. Seeing them reach their goals is my favourite part. Watching someone accomplish something they’ ve always wanted to do makes me really happy. I knew I wanted to continue this in teaching and watch students succeed and accomplish their goals, whatever those may be.
What do you like to do in your free time? I love being outside whenever it’ s sunny. I always want to be outside! I like biking, spin classes, and skiing. I often go to Cypress Mountain. I also love swimming, and in the summer I like playing pickleball— really anything that lets me be active in the sun.
After hearing all of that, we hope you can see what a wonderful teacher Ms. Chambers is! We are so lucky to have her join the staff at Crofton House.
INTERVIEW WITH MS. DURACK
By Lillian Li and Elaina Rehaag. Grade 6.
Ms. Durack is a new educational assistant teacher who works with Grades 1 & 2. She brings a bright smile, uplifting attitude and experience to our CHS campus. She is thrilled to be working with all of you and looks forward to getting to know all of you. As we welcome her into her new position at CHS, we thought we could help all of you learn a little bit more about Ms. Durack.
Have you worked at any other schools before coming to CHS? I worked in schools in Ireland, and this is my first Canadian school.
What is your favourite subject to teach? I’ m very interested in psychology, which is what I used to teach in Ireland. I also love art!
Why Crofton House? I came to Crofton because I knew it was such a great school for girls.
What do you bring to Crofton House? I bring a positive attitude and a friendly face.
What is something you like about Crofton House? I like the students and staff; everyone is so friendly. I also like the campus. It’ s very beautiful. I love being out in the woods.
What are some of your hobbies? Running, yoga, and art.
Is there an inspirational quote that motivates you? My favourite quote is,“ The grass is greenest where you water it”, because it is a reminder to always make the best of what you have, that’ s where the goodness is!
What ' s an accomplishment that you’ re proud of? I’ m proud of completing a yoga teacher training. I also teach yoga as a hobby on the side, so I am proud of that.
What’ s a memory you’ ll always have from your previous schools? I actually had the opportunity to teach at a hospital before. I was teaching kids who were in the hospital long-term. It really stuck with me. The kids were so brave and inspiring. It was a really special experience.
What are you looking forward to in this new position? I’ m really looking forward to the salmon trip with Grade 2. We have salmon eggs in the classroom right now, and we’ re going to release them in May, so I think that will be great.
What have you been doing to connect with the students? I enjoy connecting with the students when I’ m on supervision; we always have great catch-ups. I am also teaching Grade 1 Movement and Music, so it’ s really fun singing and dancing after school together!
What is a message you want to leave to the people reading this? Maybe my quote above? The grass is greenest where you water it!
What ' s your favourite food? Definitely sushi. Always delicious, especially here in Vancouver.
Is there a nickname people call you? Some people call me Em, a version of my first name, nothing too exciting!
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