Hello,

My name is Hanzalah and I am from Toronto. I was born and raised in Toronto in a small Borough known as York, Toronto. I am currently in my final Year of the BEd Middle Years program. Teaching has always been my passion and a sense of purpose throughout my life. During my high school years, I found myself serving as an educational assistant for cooperative education credits. I worked alongside teachers to support deaf and hard of hearing students by engaging in playful learning to meet curricular outcomes. After this experience, I began my university journey and occupied myself in coursework to fulfill my BEd degree. In January 2024, I was given the opportunity to take part in the teaching internship (Co-op) as part of my BEd degree requirements. In this instance, I got my first taste of what it is like to be a teacher. I developed lesson plans, utilized various instructional strategies and forms of student assessment. Classroom management played an integral role in ensuring structure in my classroom. In summer 2024 I landed a substitute teaching position for a summer camp program where I was able to further amplify my teaching skills. 

As far as my experience with educational technology goes, it is in the beginning stages. I think I have never found myself working in educational technology and I believe this is the first time I am taking a course relating to this.

Blogging is something I have never done in my life as well and this will be the first time I will be regularly blogging. As a result, I will most likely be a shy blogger and hesitant in sharing. I look forward to this course as it will really open up a lot of things about me and my identity.

(Masjid-El-Noor, where I worked as a substitute teacher)