Name: Danielle Lau (better known as "Dani")
Education:
Why Teach?
I grew up thinking that I was “stupid.” It was not until I was twenty years old when a friend of mine said to me, “You belong in school,” that I considered post secondary. To my surprise, I thrived. When I started getting B’s, B+’s, and finally A’s, I eventually developed a voracious appetite and love for the learning process. I became privy to the infinite capability of a willing mind and the inner riches that come from education (formal or otherwise).
There are a myriad of reasons for why students may feel educationally inadequate. For me, it had to do with family life, and I don't necessarily remember many teachers taking much of a shining to me. Mr. Anderson, however, was different. Instead of focusing on my disruptive behaviour, he appreciated my artistic and athletic skills. Because he made the effort to connect with me, I respected him and therefore did not act out in his classes. I want to be the "Mr. Anderson" to my students, to make them feel like they are worth something, despite their behavioural issues and other shortcomings.
Education:
- University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Education
- University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
- Futuristic dystopian literature
- Academic studies on humour (yes, it's a real thing)
- Painting
- Writing
- Learning
- Cognitive Weaving
- Lau, D. (2013) “Individualism in Samuel Butler’s The Way of All Flesh” reproduced in both A Method for Writing Essays About Literature by Paul Headrick, 2nd Edition, and The Wiley Guide to Writing Essays about Literature by Paul Headrick (2013)
- Lau, D. (2010) “The Peril of Patterns: Maturity and Independence in Adam’s Peak” reproduced in A Method for Writing Essays About Literature by Paul Headrick, 1st Edition
- Lau, D. & Fischer, L.I. (2008) “Label Makers: The Asian Conspiracy to Control the Canadian Indie Music Industry” in Ricepaper
Why Teach?
I grew up thinking that I was “stupid.” It was not until I was twenty years old when a friend of mine said to me, “You belong in school,” that I considered post secondary. To my surprise, I thrived. When I started getting B’s, B+’s, and finally A’s, I eventually developed a voracious appetite and love for the learning process. I became privy to the infinite capability of a willing mind and the inner riches that come from education (formal or otherwise).
There are a myriad of reasons for why students may feel educationally inadequate. For me, it had to do with family life, and I don't necessarily remember many teachers taking much of a shining to me. Mr. Anderson, however, was different. Instead of focusing on my disruptive behaviour, he appreciated my artistic and athletic skills. Because he made the effort to connect with me, I respected him and therefore did not act out in his classes. I want to be the "Mr. Anderson" to my students, to make them feel like they are worth something, despite their behavioural issues and other shortcomings.