Biography:
Hello! My name is Sheila Farnell-Luff and I am an educator rooted in the prairies, currently living and working in Regina, Saskatchewan. Raised in the small town of Sonningdale, Saskatchewan, I went on to study at Lakeland College and the University of Regina. I have earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Education, along with a Certificate in French as a Second Language. I am currently working on my Masters in Education at the University of Regina.
I am a proud mother of two wonderful children. My son is 2.5 years old and my daughter is 5 months, and they keep my husband and I busy. They are truly the lights of my life. In my spare time (the little I have now), I like to hike, camp and kayak. I do set aside time to read, whether it be Sci-fi, Fantasy, or academic journals. I will forever be a lifelong learner.
I became an educator later in life. I spent some time working in the tourism and non-profit sector. I spent time working at Fort Battleford HSC and the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. I also enjoyed working for both the Regina Downtown BID and the Regina Warehouse BID. My path may have been a winding one, but I have enjoyed every step. I feel these experiences have allowed for me to gain perspective and insight into my educational philosophy and my approach in the classroom.
Teaching Philosophy:
I currently teach French Immersion with Regina Catholic Schools and bring a deep commitment to student-centered learning. My educational philosophy is grounded in project-based, critically literate, and student-led approaches that empower students to think independently and engage meaningfully with the world around them.
As technology advances and evolves, I am consistently researching and observing the benefits and detriments of the inclusion of this technology in the classroom. I encourage my students to engage with technology in a critical manner, in hopes they become more aware of the world around them.
Whether in the classroom or with my colleagues, I am passionate about exploring questions of identity, language, and power. My work is driven by a belief that education as a tool for transformation—personal, social, and political.
As I have grown in the Masters program, I have found that I favour a Critical Literacy viewpoint of the world and education.