Vancouver Canucks October 2021 Teacher of the Month
Name:
Ebru Montagano
School:
Bayview Elementary; S.D. #39 (Vancouver School Board)
Classroom Team:
Tell us about yourself!
I have been teaching for 25 years and at Bayview Community Elementary for 23 years. I mostly teach Grade 4/5 or Grade 5/6 and taught Grade 1 for five years part time when my own children were young. I also teach French. Overall, I love teaching any age and feel it’s a gift to learn with & from children. I believe that the most important thing as a teacher is to create a positive, inclusive and caring classroom. I feel that students learn best when they feel safe, valued and capable. I strive to teach children to be anti-racist, inclusive, and stand up for themselves, others & nature. I give them opportunities to think deep and be critical thinkers. I also try to give them opportunities to build on their strengths, work on their stretches and discover their passions. I look for opportunities to welcome community experts, leaders, elders, knowledge keepers to my classroom so that my students can experience authentic learning.
Who is your favorite NHL® player and why?
Trevor Linden because I believe he is/was an excellent leader. I think as captain of the Vancouver Canucks he helped to create an inclusive, caring hockey team which took them to great success (Stanley Cup finals!) all those years ago in the 90s. I value good leadership.
What is your favorite part of the Future Goals™program? How do you see STEM in the game of hockey?
I love how interactive and age appropriate it is as well as how accessible it is to my diverse learners. My students also find the program fun because they are playing without realizing all the thinking & learning they are doing with the variety of questions and scenarios.
If you played hockey, what position would you play and why?
Defense because I like skating backwards and I would like to pass to my teammates and even shoot the puck sometimes!