Theresa Grindley

My name is Theresa Grindley and I’m in my eighth year of teaching with a school board in Southern Ontario. Although I’ve taught at three different schools in this particular board, I’ve been teaching at the same high school since it opened in 2012. Opening a new school in my second year of teaching was a great opportunity to learn and grow as an educator.

I have spent the last seven years teaching high school English and French, but this year I decided to go in a new direction and asked to tackle our new alternative program. This program focuses around wellness, service, and involvement in the community. It works as an interdisciplinary credit package where I help infuse personal health and wellness throughout each of the credits students earn. Students are typically referred to this program when they have dealt with mental health or other social-emotional issues that have deterred them from being successful in the past. I am a huge proponent of the benefits of exercise and living a healthy lifestyle so I knew this program would be an amazing fit for myself and the students. The program definitely has its challenges but I have found it very rewarding.

I feel like the natural next step for me is to continue to learn new ways to support all of my students, which is why I’m continuing on with my guidance and career education.

My hobbies include yoga, Crossfit (I know, those two disciplines don’t normally go together!), and anything to do with the outdoors. I recently tried a SUP (stand up and paddle board) class over March Break in Florida and it is now my current obsession.

I look forward to working with all of you and learning more about the role of guidance.