BIENVENUE! WELCOME!

Hello and welcome to my blog.

My name is Stephanie Blackmore.  I am one of those crazy kinds of French teachers....you know the ones who tell you that French CAN and WILL be fun for her students.  I truly believe that.  If I didn't, I couldn't be a French teacher! I love using music, drama, art and technology to engage students while teaching French.  Nothing is better than having your class engaged and interested in what they are learning (always a teacher's goal!).

It's been a long road that led me to teaching.  I floated around without much purpose or direction after high school.  I worked as an esthetician and hairstylist for a few years before falling into a job where I supported developmentally challenged adults in job placements.  I never knew how fulfilling work could be until I did this job.  I branched out into different areas within the support field, working in group homes and day programs and then finally decided to pursue Social Service Work at Sheridan College.  I did my placement at a special education high school and it led to a great career (all 5 years of it) as a Teaching Assistant for the Peel District School Board. 

I realized after a short time working that I missed being in school and that I wasn't finished my educational career, so while working full time, I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies at Ryerson.  I even worked as a T.A. in the program upon graduation.

Over those years, I realized just how much I loved teaching, and so finally in 2013, I went to Brock for my Bachelor of Education.  The French immersion in my background and the French courses I took during my undergrad came together to form my French teachable.

I feel very fortunate to be a French teacher, because it allowed me to get a quick start to my career while teaching something that I am passionate about.  In 2014, I was hired by the Halton District School Board to teach Intermediate French at a school in Milton.

At the current time, I am on maternity leave with my wonderful 8 month old son, doing another job I am passionate about... being a Mommy. 

Now that you know where I came from, you will have a better context to understand the thoughts and opinions I share here on my blog.  Keep your eyes on the right side of the blog, where I will share the links that I find the most useful for me in teaching.  If you need a little inspiration as a teacher ( or even just in your everyday life), click on the page along the top called 'Inspirational videos'.

I hope that you enjoy reading this blog as much as (I'm sure) I will enjoy creating it!