I first met Sopear in the fall of 2010. It was my first year teaching at my new school and I had offered to assist Sopear in coaching her varsity girls basketball team. Sopear was an accomplished university athlete who had been working at the school for only a few years. She spent the first 9 years of her career working as a member of the Phys Ed. department. In the spring of 2016, Sopear took the opportunity to join a five member team at a newly planned MET school to be housed within Maples Collegiate. Although physically located within the walls of Maples Collegiate, The Maples MET School is an autonomous entity with its own mission for student education. I took the opportunity to interview Sopear about some of her experiences leading up to and including the first year of her journey at The Maples MET School.
Biography - Maples MET School
"I am truly honoured to be joining the Maples MET community in September. I am excited to take my passion for education into learning spaces where students can cultivate their interests and work within a school culture that will empower and transform them.
Along with teaching physical education/health, Indigenous perspectives and leadership these past nine years at Maples Collegiate, I also recently completed my Masters degree that focused on cultural relevant education set within physical education and health settings. I am a proud nerd who loves to learn and improve upon my practice and theory, which is also why I’m excited for the educators I get to work with, but also the students we are fortunate to spend time with.
The last nine years of teaching have also allowed me to learn about balance. While I love what I do, I also recognize how important it is to fuel the mind, body and soul in pursuits outside of teaching. I love gardening, cooking, walking my three dogs, going for hikes and doing anything outdoors.
I look forward to meeting all the new students who will be a part of our school!"
- Sopear C. 2016
Maples MET School Biography
Along with teaching physical education/health, Indigenous perspectives and leadership these past nine years at Maples Collegiate, I also recently completed my Masters degree that focused on cultural relevant education set within physical education and health settings. I am a proud nerd who loves to learn and improve upon my practice and theory, which is also why I’m excited for the educators I get to work with, but also the students we are fortunate to spend time with.
The last nine years of teaching have also allowed me to learn about balance. While I love what I do, I also recognize how important it is to fuel the mind, body and soul in pursuits outside of teaching. I love gardening, cooking, walking my three dogs, going for hikes and doing anything outdoors.
I look forward to meeting all the new students who will be a part of our school!"
- Sopear C. 2016
Maples MET School Biography
News article on the opening on a new MET School in The Maples
CBC News - February 16, 2016
"Alternative Met School expanding to Maples Collegiate in Winnipeg"
CBC News - February 16, 2016
"Alternative Met School expanding to Maples Collegiate in Winnipeg"
Interview
Conducted on March 7, 2017 - Maples MET School
Sopear and I had a conversation for the better part of a half an hour. The interview was the conclusion of several conversations we have had over the last few months in preparation for the interview. We have had the opportunity to collaborate in the past and are continuing to look at different collaborations in the future.
I posed several question during the interview and have selected the following five questions as main points of discussion. I have transcribed key areas of the recorded interview and present them below in a paraphrased form.
1. Could you briefly describe the pre-teaching process you took while preparing for the opportunity to teach at the MET school?
When I first read about the MET School I was really intrigued by it. I was ready for a change and felt that the model offered a way to really connect with the students in a deeper way. I liked the idea of the internships and the project based learning. I found out that I would be working in the new MET school in May of 2016 and should be ready to start by September. I had heard a little about my future colleagues who, like me, were finishing their current teaching assignments. I spent the summer preparing and periodically making contact with my colleagues on a regular basis. I began to look at theory and models surrounding PBL and alternative learning. My colleagues and I continue to get to know each other daily as we interact together and with our students.
Sopear and I had a conversation for the better part of a half an hour. The interview was the conclusion of several conversations we have had over the last few months in preparation for the interview. We have had the opportunity to collaborate in the past and are continuing to look at different collaborations in the future.
I posed several question during the interview and have selected the following five questions as main points of discussion. I have transcribed key areas of the recorded interview and present them below in a paraphrased form.
1. Could you briefly describe the pre-teaching process you took while preparing for the opportunity to teach at the MET school?
When I first read about the MET School I was really intrigued by it. I was ready for a change and felt that the model offered a way to really connect with the students in a deeper way. I liked the idea of the internships and the project based learning. I found out that I would be working in the new MET school in May of 2016 and should be ready to start by September. I had heard a little about my future colleagues who, like me, were finishing their current teaching assignments. I spent the summer preparing and periodically making contact with my colleagues on a regular basis. I began to look at theory and models surrounding PBL and alternative learning. My colleagues and I continue to get to know each other daily as we interact together and with our students.
2. What motivated you to take the steps you have taken to establish your curriculum in your teaching environment?
- On the topic of PBL and alternative education It is an organic process and I am continuing to develop professionally. We have a direction and are guided to areas of professional development through our team leader and administrator. I have been following the BUCK Institute as one of my guides for PBL. |
At the Buck Institute for Education (BIE), our highest priority is to help teachers prepare students for successful lives. We do this by showing teachers how to use Project Based Learning in all grade levels and subject areas. As a mission-driven nonprofit organization, BIE creates, gathers, and shares high-quality PBL instructional practices and products and provides highly effective services to teachers, schools, and districts.
https://www.bie.org/ |
3. What barriers have you had to overcome (personally or professionally) during this process?
Initially, the idea of teaching the same students all day was foreign to me. It is very much like the experience in early or middle year’s environments. I personally like the idea of being able to see their growth.
I am currently learning new curricular subjects and am finding myself seeking collaboration. For example I am currently collaborating in areas of media and art. I hope to collaborate with another teacher in Science during the upcoming academic year.
Each of us (educators) has our strengths and disciplines and we rely on each other. One of my colleagues is a specialist in Math and science and I am often drawing on her experience and suggestions.
The students at MET still take courses at Maples such as band, choir, ect… I have to remind myself that they are periodically out of my classroom to attend these other courses. I could see this is somewhat of a barrier if we are in the process of developing or learning or if I want to focus in depth in a specific topic. The schedule changes on a day to day basis on we need to be flexible.
Initially, the idea of teaching the same students all day was foreign to me. It is very much like the experience in early or middle year’s environments. I personally like the idea of being able to see their growth.
I am currently learning new curricular subjects and am finding myself seeking collaboration. For example I am currently collaborating in areas of media and art. I hope to collaborate with another teacher in Science during the upcoming academic year.
Each of us (educators) has our strengths and disciplines and we rely on each other. One of my colleagues is a specialist in Math and science and I am often drawing on her experience and suggestions.
The students at MET still take courses at Maples such as band, choir, ect… I have to remind myself that they are periodically out of my classroom to attend these other courses. I could see this is somewhat of a barrier if we are in the process of developing or learning or if I want to focus in depth in a specific topic. The schedule changes on a day to day basis on we need to be flexible.
4. What recommendations do you have for fostering more creativity, innovation, or entrepreneurship in schools/society?
I put a lot of effort into listening to the students when it comes to creativity. I have had a hard time personally thinking of myself as creative. I try to instill the idea for continual growth and to keep projects organic. Essentially, I tell my students that this process is ongoing and that we have room for mistakes and that our projects are always being improved upon. I often say that just because an idea has been tried before does not mean we can’t improve our result.
I encourage the students to keep trying and to continually reflect on their learning process. I want them to think and learn from the processes that they experience.
I put a lot of effort into listening to the students when it comes to creativity. I have had a hard time personally thinking of myself as creative. I try to instill the idea for continual growth and to keep projects organic. Essentially, I tell my students that this process is ongoing and that we have room for mistakes and that our projects are always being improved upon. I often say that just because an idea has been tried before does not mean we can’t improve our result.
I encourage the students to keep trying and to continually reflect on their learning process. I want them to think and learn from the processes that they experience.
5. Do you see your efforts contributing to social, economic, cultural, or environmental health and well-being?
A lot of the students are new Canadians and they are bringing a lot of different perspectives to the table. I try to empower the students to use their voices and have a community based focus. I have put emphasis on a need for social justice and for my students to work together with others who may have a slightly different perspective both locally and Globally.
I am also trying to put a focus on indigenous based education. I have been involved with indigenous initiatives for some time now.
A lot of the students are new Canadians and they are bringing a lot of different perspectives to the table. I try to empower the students to use their voices and have a community based focus. I have put emphasis on a need for social justice and for my students to work together with others who may have a slightly different perspective both locally and Globally.
I am also trying to put a focus on indigenous based education. I have been involved with indigenous initiatives for some time now.
Conclusions and Final Thoughts
My interview with Sopear was very enlightening. We spent a considerable amount of time discussing alternative modes of education and PBL. We plan to continue to develop ways in which we can collaborate and continue to work together in the future. Currently, Sopear has requested the use of some of the materials that I designed for a Web course so that one of her students may begin to explore media. We also have begun to talk about the possibility of developing a project based learning environment that is based on concepts in Physics. I look forward to our future collaborations and discussing her experiences at the Maples MET School.
About The Maples MET School
The Seven Oaks School Division has opened its second Met School. Similar to how the original opened at Garden City Collegiate, The Maples Met School is located within Maples Collegiate.
The Maples Met School provides a respectful, positive and challenging learning environment where meaningful learning is linked to student passions and interests. Each student's experience is centered on goals that are relevant to the student and are connected to the real world. Our One Student at a Time philosphy coupled with or emphasis on rigour, relevance, and relationships creates purposeful relationships between educators, learners, families and the community, where essential skills and academic challenges lead to success and meaning. Maples MET School Website |
Dennis Littky is the co-founder and co-director of Big Picture Learning and the Met Center in Providence. He is nationally known for his extensive work in secondary education in urban, suburban, and rural settings, spanning over 40 years.
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The Maples MET School in the NEWS
CBC News - Winnipeg's Met School gets students thinking outside the classroom
Winnipeg Free Press - New MET School Planned
Maples MET School Twitter - Link
Maples MET Instagram - Link
Matt Henderson's Website - Link
Winnipeg Free Press - New MET School Planned
Maples MET School Twitter - Link
Maples MET Instagram - Link
Matt Henderson's Website - Link
References:
https://www.7oaks.org/school/maplesmet/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.7oaks.org/school/maplesmet/About/Documents/Sopear%20Chhin%20bio.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/alternative-met-school-expanding-to-maples-collegiate-in-winnipeg-1.3449914
http://www.bie.org/about
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-alternative-high-school-expanding-1.3743586
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/correspondent/New-Met-School-planned-for-Maples-Collegiate-389492342.html
https://www.instagram.com/maplesmet/
https://hendersonhallway.wordpress.com/
Video Sources:
Internships Build A Passion for Learning at The Met
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OslNUnAAxmU
TEDx NYED - Dennis Littky - 03/05/2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbpqVPtUIFQ
Image Sources:
https://twitter.com/schhin10
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/maples-met-school-looking-mentors-matt-henderson
https://rosswolfe.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/a-wesnin-abstract-composition-1922.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/466664981673410560/886Az0vu.jpeg
http://www.towergarden.com/content/dam/towergarden/resources/bielogo.jpg
https://www.7oaks.org/school/maplesmet/About/Documents/Sopear%20Chhin%20bio.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/alternative-met-school-expanding-to-maples-collegiate-in-winnipeg-1.3449914
http://www.bie.org/about
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-alternative-high-school-expanding-1.3743586
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/times/correspondent/New-Met-School-planned-for-Maples-Collegiate-389492342.html
https://www.instagram.com/maplesmet/
https://hendersonhallway.wordpress.com/
Video Sources:
Internships Build A Passion for Learning at The Met
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OslNUnAAxmU
TEDx NYED - Dennis Littky - 03/05/2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbpqVPtUIFQ
Image Sources:
https://twitter.com/schhin10
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/maples-met-school-looking-mentors-matt-henderson
https://rosswolfe.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/a-wesnin-abstract-composition-1922.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/466664981673410560/886Az0vu.jpeg
http://www.towergarden.com/content/dam/towergarden/resources/bielogo.jpg