Erin Fairbairn

I always knew I enjoyed working with children, but having my daughter made me realize my passion for education. Being a stay at home mom, watching and helping my child to learn new skills and reach new developmental milestones, helped me to realize the career path I wanted to pursue. I began my post-secondary education at Cambrian College in the Early Childhood Education program when my daughter began kindergarten. Although I always knew my long-term goal was to become a teacher, I felt as though this was the best place to begin this journey.

After successfully completing the Early Childhood Education program I immediately got hired by my final placement at a day care center. There I planned, delivered, and reflected on activities for children from toddlers up to and including school aged children based on their developmental levels and interests.

After two years of working in the day care setting, I was hired by a local school board as a Designated Early Childhood Educator in the kindergarten classroom. This job gave me a different experience of not only working in a different type of environment with different expectations, but it also gave me the opportunity to work directly with the Ontario Elementary Curriculum as I assisted the teacher with planning, implementing and assessing the students.

This job was the catalyst that pushed me to further pursue my goal of becoming a teacher. With the experience and knowledge that I have gained throughout my work experience and the education I have received during my time here at Laurentian University in the education program, I feel confident that I will make a strong addition to the teaching profession.