Meet Ana and learn about her PME experience!
I started the PME Program in September 2020 and will be completing my last two courses this August. Although I initially got accepted into the Classroom Specialist concentration, I changed it to Literacy Education. This was one of the best professional decisions I’ve ever made.
I am a kindergarten teacher for the B.C. school district 41 in the unceded Traditional Coast Salish Lands of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam Nations. This school year was my fifth year teaching, and what I learned through the PME Literacy courses sparked a great passion for finding the best evidence-based practices to develop foundational literacy skills in young learners. This led me to re-evaluate many aspects of my teaching and make many changes. As a result, I have become an advocate for Science of Reading (SOR) aligned practices in my school and, more recently, within my district.
In the future, I see myself growing this role and being even more active during professional development opportunities, sharing and supporting other kindergarten and early primary educators as they navigate the SOR framework. I believe literacy becomes a social justice issue when we analyze the evidence proving how popular yet debunked instructional approaches widen gaps and impact our students’ opportunities and quality of life. Therefore, I look forward to continuing to share with others what I have learned and continue to learn.
My advice to new/prospective students is to reflect on your interests and to take time to explore the concentrations and course descriptions when planning. The PME program offers a variety of courses that grant opportunities to further a known professional passion or discover a new one.