School & Program
Ryerson University, Early Childhood Studies

Meadowridge Student Since
Grade 1

Born in
Vancouver, BC

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a dancer. Dance is healing and has always been the way I can run away and destress after a really, really long day at school. I practice jazz, hip-hop, stage, contemporary and lyrical. Another one of my passions (should I say this?!) is K-pop. Everyone in my class knows it because they see me watching K-pop in the Diploma Programme (DP) lounge in between classes. It’s the best way to destress because I get to not think about school for a while. I have also done Taekwondo for multiple years, earning my black belt as well as a grand champion trophy.

How did you first find yourself at Meadowridge?

One of our family friends introduced us to the school, and I’ve been here ever since. Twelve years now! It’s been a very memorable experience. My parents chose the school because of the smaller community. I’m introverted, and the school has helped me to be more social because it is so small. I’ve been able to develop close relationships over these last 12 years. Actually, I just went to visit Mrs. Pitzey who was my first teacher at Meadowridge when I started in Grade 1.

Tell us about your year ahead.

I’ll be going to Toronto. I am planning to live in residence for my first year – that’ll be fun! I want to meet new people but also don’t want to lose my old friends. I’m excited to start the Early Childhood program too. I actually made a friend online who will be attending Ryerson next year, so we might get a dorm together. We have a lot in common. Other than that, I’ll start planning co-curriculars and everything else once I get there.

Mrs. Clement, who was my Grade 8 teacher and biggest supporter. In Grade 8, my year wasn’t that great, but she was such a big support for me. Everything I was going through, she helped me through. When I would have my breakdowns, she would always be there for me. I want to be a teacher for her. She made me want to be like her, and I want to help students like she does and did for me.

What was it about Early Childhood?

I have lots of reasons, but one story in particular stands out. I work at a daycare, and there was one day when I was helping a child fall asleep and take a nap. I was patting his back and just as he was about to fall asleep, he looked up at me and said “Miss Charlotte, I love you,” and I said, “I love you too!”. I want to build relationships with younger children and I want to be a good role model. When I was working at that daycare, it made me feel so happy. All the hugs and the cuddles made me glad. I just know it’s something I’ll want to do for the rest of my life. It seems like the best thing.

I actually remember seeing the kinderbuddy photos in the yearbook each year, and always looked forward to when it would be my turn. Having my own two kinderbuddies, that also made me want to become a teacher. When we took walks through the North Forest, I would teach my buddies things and they'd go “wow!” and it made me feel so happy and accomplished.

There’s also Mrs. Clement, who was my Grade 8 teacher and biggest supporter. Grade 8 was a difficult year and when I would have my breakdowns, she would always be there for me. I want to become the teacher that she is and be able to help students like she does and did for me.

What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?

Well, I’m looking forward to some independence. I want to learn to cook for myself and not just buy take-out. I can’t wait to go to a new city and meet new friends. I know it’s near the end of my education, but I also can’t wait for my practicum. I’m very excited about that. Mrs. Flintermann told me that [the practicum] is tiring but I am so excited to be in a classroom.

What will you miss most as you move onto the next chapter?

There are so many things. Definitely the teachers. I know everyone says that I’m very bubbly or always say “hi” when I walk by them, but when I’m having a bad day it’s my teachers who cheer me up. They’ve all seen me grow up, and they know me so well. I’ll miss the check-ins, the “are you okay?” or even “how was your day?”. I’ll also miss all the amazing memories I’ve made at the school, like my first camping trip. I was never fond of going on overnight trips, but I loved it. Or my first plane trip without my parents when we went to Montreal. Or Barkerville! We actually got stuck on a bus for two hours because we had a flat. We were all hot and tired but we ended up just connecting as one big group.

Most of all, I’ll miss my friends. At Meadowridge, we’re all so close but I know that my friends will always be there for me. Oh, and my mom. My mom is my best friend and my number one fan.

Any parting words of wisdom?

You don’t always have to be happy. I mentioned this before, but I try to always put on a happy image – but if you’re having a bad day, it’s okay to let people in. You can cry when you want to cry. Nobody expects you to be happy all the time. Sometimes, it is okay to cry.