Teachers for the summer of 2014!

It's time to introduce the english language teachers for Wynchemna summer 2014! Without further ado, we'd like you to meet:

Nalanda

I love reading good books, hanging out with friends,and spending time in the sunshine. I especially love seeing new places and meeting new people, both here at home in Canada and all over the world!  

Adam

I'm originally from the prairie province of Saskatchewan, but now living, working, and studying in southern Quebec. This is my fifth year as a Wynchemna teacher, mostly working and planning camping, lessons, and activities in Calgary. I grew up loving the wilderness, and being a Wynchemna teacher combines a lot of my interests in a meaningful way through education. Given a week off I can usually be found doing my own hiking trips, long-distance running, biking anywhere there is a trail, and refining my French. As a teacher I like to connect language learning in meaningful ways, linking English pop culture and music with Canadiana  and environmental education. To students coming to study with us this summer, welcome! There's a reason so many of us -teachers and students- come back every summer. You're going to have a blast!

  

 Kiyana

I am incredibly excited about experiencing the stunning landscape of Western Canada and meeting many new faces while working at Wynchemna. I enjoy nearly all sports activities, although I am probably best at soccer. I have a passion for visual arts and continue to paint and draw on the side of my work and studies.  I also enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures and traditions. I believe that a life without travel and exploration is a life half-lived.  As a committed and passionate lifelong learner, I am looking forward to growing as a person through my experiences at Wynchemna. I cannot wait to meet all the students and staff and start the incredible adventure!  

Jessica

I have been teaching for 8 years, and since the day I had my first group, teaching became my passion. I love the way it allows me to meet people, to support them, and to learn from them. I try my best to create a positive classroom climate where my students can feel welcome, respected, safe, and free to make mistakes. I love doing sports. My favorite one is dancing because it makes me feel free and happy. I also like practicing  martial sports like kickboxing and taekwondo. I love outdoors activities like cycling, hiking, camping, and running. I am an outgoing, friendly and caring person. I believe in treating people the way I like to be treated – with respect and honesty. I love laughing and making friends from all over the world. I truly believe in the quote: " travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer" since I think traveling helps us to open our eyes, see the world, and learn from it. I am very excited to work at Wynchemna because I am sure it will be an amazing experience.  

Lisa

I am super excited for my second summer at Wynchemna. Whenever I have free time I love traveling, the outdoors, and teaching! Some of the places I have visited so far include China, Europe, Philippines, Mexico and more! I can’t wait to meet all of you and start our adventure at Wynchemna together!  

Maggie

I can't wait to be teaching at Wynchemna this summer! I am from London, Ontario, but am currently living in Kingston. This will be my first time travelling to Western Canada, and I couldn't be more excited. I enjoy being active, spending as much time as possible outdoors: camping, hiking, and swimming. I love meeting new people, and trying out new activities (most recently I have taken up yoga). I am looking forward to the summer ahead with Wynchemna!  

 Carlos

My main interests lie in two fields that seem very different: literature and sports. I just came back from playing basketball with some friends, and soon I’m going to read some poetry. I love the peculiar balance between the two. Though, there is another thing that really helps feed those interests: food. Fortunately, I have somehow learned how to cook as well as I know how to eat.  

Natalie

I am an avid reader and love to read books that I can get my teeth into such the 'Amber Spyglass' from Phillip Pullman. My favorite sport is basketball, I am a Boston Celtics Fan and watch them on T.V whenever I can. I am also a fan of cheerleading, and was a cheerleader in high school. I love all genres of music, but I listen to Indie and hip hop more often than not. I enjoy spending time with my friends, going to movies and making new memories with them. 

 Shaun

I have taught at Wynchemna for 3 years. When not meeting and teaching students from all over the world, I live in Victoria, British Columbia.  In my free time in a Victoria I love to listen to music all of kinds, go hiking and bird-watching and enjoy running. I love to travel throughout the Pacific Northwest and I like studying other languages, in particular Mandarin and Japanese. I look forward to meeting you all in Calgary.  

 John

My passions revolve around everything that I consider art and provoking. My particular interests do shift around quite a bit but some staples include watching movies, reading (though I'm picky), listening to music, contemplating “deep stuff” and experiencing new things with new friends. When it comes to sports, I've always had an affinity for basketball, though I do enjoy all kinds of activities. Currently, in my old old age, I've been testing my wits at skateboarding. English, as you probably know, is a magical language. I'd love to take you along a journey through its mysterious and enchanting intricacies, learning and growing together! I also do play a little on the guitar and piano, but in that embarrassingly simple 'self-taught' way, done mostly to amuse myself. It'll be exciting times at Wynchemna; to explore, enjoy, try new things and get out into the wild! See you around!Hi everyone!My name is Josh and I will be  returning to Wynchemna this year as an English teacher. I have already spent two at summers at Wynchemna, and I'm excited to be back!  I enjoy sports like soccer, basketball and football,  and I love to be outdoors in general.  Learning about different cultures is a passion I have always had and I look forward to meeting people from across the globe

Peter

I'm super excited to be a part of Wynchemna for the second year in a row! I love travelling and languages and science and technology. I spend my spare time gardening, working with my 3d printer, playing music, and writing software. If I could spend the rest of my life camping and travelling, that would be incredible. I can't wait to meet all the new students this year and have a blast hanging out in the Rockies!

GesthikaI am truly grateful for the opportunity to join the Wynchemna family this summer. My hometown is Burlington, Ontario (a suburban city just outside of Toronto). I grew up exploring the parks and trails along the lake. I enjoy being active, whether it is participating in sport, climbing trees outdoors, or walking on my hands. I also love playing, listening and dancing to music. I am passionate about learning different languages and being immersed in diverse cultures. I admit to being a foodie – going on gourmet food tours with friends, conducting late-night kitchen experiments, and hosting weekend dinner parties. You will almost always find me with my camera close by as I am obsessed with taking photos of food (of course!), people, and nature. Wynchemna is a special place that fosters lifelong learning and friendships; I look forward to meeting everyone, exchanging stories, and sharing experiences of this exciting summer ahead!

Welcome to all our teachers, both new and returning! We're looking forward to another exciting summer at Wynchemna!