October 26, 2020

Dear Leah McIntyre

I’m incredibly excited to get to know you and your students in the coming weeks! I am
especially grateful that you have decided to take on an ED student while protocols and teaching
during the pandemic have been so demanding. I hope to be a great aid to you in this regard.

Before entering the Ed program, I completed a degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young
University in Utah, so I am entering the program as an after-degree student. While I am from
Lethbridge, and have lived in Lethbridge for most of my life, this will be my first semester at the
University of Lethbridge and I am very excited! Throughout my high school and university
education I expanded my list of hobbies. Of those, the most prominent are music, rugby and
crafting projects. While it has become overwhelming at times, the number of things I get
involved in, I love having so many areas of interest! Which leads me to my desire to be a
teacher. I look forward to finding ways for my passions and hobbies to enhance my teaching and
to help students find joy in every subject.

Unlike many of my Education peers, teaching was not something I considered until quite
recently. In my undergrad, I was originally intending to become a physiotherapist. After
graduating however, I felt that it might not be for me. I suppose my path to teaching has been
somewhat of a windy road compared to my PS1 counterparts. But now, I finally feel that my
search for a meaningful career, that fits my personality and passion for exploring/sharing
knowledge, is over!

It seemed that teaching could be something where all my passions, hobbies, and talents could
intersect. Where I could interact with kids and get them excited about what I’m excited about. As
a teacher I could teach biology, explain how the body works, get involved in the theatre program
and even coach sports! Another aspect that lead me to teaching, is my family. As the oldest of
four children I have had the opportunity to tutor and mentor my younger siblings. Since there is a
6-year age gap between myself and the next child, I have had the unique position of being a sort
of big sister/third parent. Because I have been able to guide them in their own subjects and
projects, I have learned how much I enjoy teaching and helping children engage in school.

But of course, I have a lot to learn. Because this is a recent change for me, there is quite a bit
about teaching that I’m unfamiliar with. Classroom management, for example, and the role of
administration and lesson preparation are some things that I don’t yet feel confident in. I am so
looking forward to hearing any advice and criticism that you have for me. I would especially
love some guidance into how I can incorporate my passions effectively into teaching. I look
forward to aiding you in whatever you need, as I build my teaching skills and I am very grateful
to you and the time you will be spending evaluating and mentoring me. I value this opportunity
to learn from your experience and I can’t wait to get started!

Sincerely,
Hillary Hironaka