Cheryl Makeiv

I am so happy you stopped by to learn a little more about our amazing school.  Redfish is truly my home away from home as I have been teaching here for almost 25 years!  Our Redfish community (both school and beyond) is filled with individuals who are committed to supporting each other and providing many opportunities to grow healthy, resilient individuals and relationships.  This strong sense of community and their support is what keeps me teaching here…and encouraged me to bring both of my children here as well.

I have over 25 years of experience teaching in both primary and intermediate classrooms.  I hold a Bachelor of Education with a specialization in Learning Assistance from the University of Victoria and recently completed a Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies from the University of British Columbia with a focus on “Practitioner Inquiry and Place-Conscious Pedagogies”.   I am passionate about life-long learning and am always on the lookout for inspiring professional development opportunities through reading, websites, blogs, speakers and conferences to improve the learning opportunities and success for my students through transforming my teaching practice.

A few years ago, I wrote a list of my teaching beliefs and want to share just a few with you to help you get to know me a bit:

I believe developing an attachment and relationship with each child is the foundation for learning.
I believe understanding how the brain learns is key in developing each child’s “Mindset for Learnin” (using perseverance, flexibility, enthusiasm, creativity and courage in our learning and with each other).
I believe in developing student ownership through an open, safe, inclusive classroom environment where children are actively involved in learning and problem solving.
I believe parents are valuable partners. Open, regular communication supports the learning of their child and my role as their teacher.I believe the language I use with and teach the children is a powerful tool that helps to create a strong classroom community and empowers the children.
I believe in the importance of regularly connecting children with and in nature.
 

We are so fortunate to have an expansive playground with a spawning channel across the street and a beach down the road.  Each week my class, along with several adults/parents, spends an afternoon learning in, about and through nature.  These are treasured learning moments for us all!

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me and our wonderful gem of a school, Redfish!  Email is the best way to contact me if you have any wonders. 

Wishing you joy in your day,

Cheryl Makeiv