Ms. Chalmers
Hello, my name is Ms. Darla Chalmers. I am an Acting Vice Principal and a grade 5 teacher here at Katzie Elementary School. I am looking forward to a great year as we embark on this wonderful journey together. I received my undergraduate degree from Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia in 1998. My major was in Physical Education and my minor was in Education.
I got married the week after graduation. I was working at London Drugs and was happy to continue with the company as we began our family. Our first daughter, Jaye-Lynn was born in the summer of 2000. 21 months later Jocelyn joined our family. As our daughters began to grow and enter school, I began volunteering in their classrooms. I was at a crossroad; do I continue with London Drugs, become a professional photographer, or go back to school and go into teaching? I decided to go with my long time passion, teaching and re-enter school.
In 2009, I completed a minor in Geography. I graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Education Degree and a minor in Curriculum & Instruction.
I left my London Drugs job after 20 years ...
I got married the week after graduation. I was working at London Drugs and was happy to continue with the company as we began our family. Our first daughter, Jaye-Lynn was born in the summer of 2000. 21 months later Jocelyn joined our family. As our daughters began to grow and enter school, I began volunteering in their classrooms. I was at a crossroad; do I continue with London Drugs, become a professional photographer, or go back to school and go into teaching? I decided to go with my long time passion, teaching and re-enter school.
In 2009, I completed a minor in Geography. I graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Education Degree and a minor in Curriculum & Instruction.
I left my London Drugs job after 20 years ...
Since being hired in the Surrey School District I have worked as a teacher on call, learning support teacher, music teacher, teacher librarian, French teacher, grade 1 teacher, and a grade 4-6 teacher and now an Acting Vice Principal.
I believe that children are unique individuals who need to feel as though they are part of a community that is safe and nurturing. I believe that the best way to help cultivate successful children is through including family and the school community in our classroom.
I believe that students learn best by being involved. Students will be provided with opportunities to be engaged in a variety of activities that are diverse and relevant to their learning. I enjoy using technology, small group instruction, writers workshop and math tools to make learning engaging and hands-on.
I believe that it is okay to make a mistake; they provide an opportunity for learning and chance to make it right. Children need to learn to solve problems through experience and empowering them to make a good choice.
I will bring an open mind and a positive attitude to our classroom. I look forward to getting to know all of you ...
students and parents. By working together we will help
your child to excel in their learning and their life.
I believe that children are unique individuals who need to feel as though they are part of a community that is safe and nurturing. I believe that the best way to help cultivate successful children is through including family and the school community in our classroom.
I believe that students learn best by being involved. Students will be provided with opportunities to be engaged in a variety of activities that are diverse and relevant to their learning. I enjoy using technology, small group instruction, writers workshop and math tools to make learning engaging and hands-on.
I believe that it is okay to make a mistake; they provide an opportunity for learning and chance to make it right. Children need to learn to solve problems through experience and empowering them to make a good choice.
I will bring an open mind and a positive attitude to our classroom. I look forward to getting to know all of you ...
students and parents. By working together we will help
your child to excel in their learning and their life.
A Few of My Favourite Things
- Quote:
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin
- Colour: Turquoise Blue
- Number: 9
- Sports: Field Hockey, Volleyball, Badminton, pickle ball
- Season: Fall
- Flower: Orchid
- Food: Sushi
- Fruit: Raspberries
- Drink: Tea, White Wine
- Actress: Jodie Foster
- TV Shows: Grey's Anatomy, Flashpoint, The Good Doctor, Chigao Fire
- Hobbies: Photography, Field Hockey, Volleyball, hiking, camping, walking,
I am from Poem
I am from peek-a-boo,
hiding under the couch
I am from my tiny bedroom,
thought it was easier to keep clean
I am from playing barbies
to climbing the big cherry tree
I am from the great, white lion,
drawing patterns on the road
I am from my shiny, blue bike,
roller skates and homemade go carts
I am from broken bones and bruises,
doctors had to fix
I am from visits to Grandma's house,
sleeping, comforted by the sound of Auntie
Candy's snoring
I am from rides in a big, brown car,
and the hand that waves back and forth
I am from catching noisy crickets in the back yard
I am from laughing,
my Dad's Buddy Holly glasses, flared nose,
and my Mom's orange and brown paisley pant suit
I am from my Mom's turkey dinner,
stuffing, tangy cranberry sauce and brussel
sprouts,
and the sweet taste of her homemade Christmas Pudding
I am from trips to Cultas Lake,
ceramics we would paint
hiding under the couch
I am from my tiny bedroom,
thought it was easier to keep clean
I am from playing barbies
to climbing the big cherry tree
I am from the great, white lion,
drawing patterns on the road
I am from my shiny, blue bike,
roller skates and homemade go carts
I am from broken bones and bruises,
doctors had to fix
I am from visits to Grandma's house,
sleeping, comforted by the sound of Auntie
Candy's snoring
I am from rides in a big, brown car,
and the hand that waves back and forth
I am from catching noisy crickets in the back yard
I am from laughing,
my Dad's Buddy Holly glasses, flared nose,
and my Mom's orange and brown paisley pant suit
I am from my Mom's turkey dinner,
stuffing, tangy cranberry sauce and brussel
sprouts,
and the sweet taste of her homemade Christmas Pudding
I am from trips to Cultas Lake,
ceramics we would paint
I am from moving,
leaving friends and making new ones
I am from snow cones,
fresh, fallen snow and orange juice
I am from barbed wire fences,
scars left to heal on their own
I am from building new relationships,
a teacher who cared,
helping me discover who I wanted to be
I am from sports,
field hockey, volleyball, and badminton were a few
I am from my beautiful daughters,
on a journey of self-discovery
I am from wilderness,
a quiet, calm place
I am from swimming in the lake,
checking for leaches as I leave
I am from perseverance,
returning to the path that I am to travel
By Darla Chalmers
leaving friends and making new ones
I am from snow cones,
fresh, fallen snow and orange juice
I am from barbed wire fences,
scars left to heal on their own
I am from building new relationships,
a teacher who cared,
helping me discover who I wanted to be
I am from sports,
field hockey, volleyball, and badminton were a few
I am from my beautiful daughters,
on a journey of self-discovery
I am from wilderness,
a quiet, calm place
I am from swimming in the lake,
checking for leaches as I leave
I am from perseverance,
returning to the path that I am to travel
By Darla Chalmers