Stephanie Mackay

Passionate and student-centered TDSB educator with 16 years of experience fostering creativity, equity, and inclusivity in diverse learning environments. Skilled in implementing arts-based learning, differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive pedagogy to support all learners. Adept at leveraging 21st-century learning tools and utilizing my social-emotional learning facilitator qualification to cultivate a safe and caring classroom community.

• Effectively implemented culturally responsive pedagogy by integrating diverse perspectives, celebrating students' cultural backgrounds, and designing lessons that connected their lived experiences to the curriculum.
• Create an inclusive classroom by integrating diverse resources that reflect various cultures and experiences, celebrate my students' identities through open dialogue and leadership opportunities that affirm their unique stories, address biases to promote equity, and empower students to express themselves authentically, while critically engaging with representation in society.
• Develop critical consciousness in the classroom by teaching the language of inequality (interpersonal racism, institutional racism and internalized racism), creating space to interrogate racism and teach students how to take action.
• Led daily mindfulness exercises for staff and students.
• Utilize cross-curricular integration by incorporating the arts into language, math and social studies to enhance student performance and achievement across subjects.
• Apply restorative practices and SEL techniques to foster a positive classroom environment by promoting open dialogue, building strong relationships, and addressing conflicts through collaborative problem-solving and mutual understanding.
• Build global competencies to develop cultural awareness through project-based learning, social justice resources and opportunities for students to address real-world issues.
• Leverage my extensive travel experience to teach students about representation and diversity by sharing authentic stories, cultural insights and global perspectives that broaden their understanding and appreciation of the world.

• Demonstrate collaboration and initiative by bringing workshops, organizations, artists and guest speakers into the school, coaching teams and hosting clubs, organizing assemblies and talent shows, leading mindfulness exercises for both staff and students, engaging in collaborative team teaching, cross-curricular collaboration, parent engagement, volunteering for class trips and overnight excursions, teaming up with colleagues in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to analyze student data and develop strategies to close achievement gaps, all while fostering a vibrant and inclusive school community.
• Professional development with workshops in math, language, mindfulness, student voice, conflict resolution, autism awareness, Indigenous Education and anti-Black racism.
• Accomplished a 200 hour certified yoga instructor and social emotional learning facilitator certificate with Breath for Change.

• Encourage students to develop positive attitudes toward challenging subjects by fostering a growth mindset, introducing new perspectives, and designing activities that highlight their strengths and potential for improvement.
• Showcase my creativity in lesson planning by designing innovative, interactive, and multidisciplinary activities that hone in students' interests and make complex concepts accessible and engaging.
• Design tiered activities that catered to varying skill levels through differentiated instruction, while providing personalized support to ensure all students could access and engage with the curriculum effectively.
• Promote inquiry-based learning by encouraging students to pose questions, conduct research and collaboratively explore solutions, fostering critical thinking and deeper understanding of key concepts.
• Incorporate assessment for learning to drive lesson planning by analyzing student progress and adapting instruction to meet diverse needs and enhance understanding.
• Adapt lessons spontaneously to foster student-centered learning by incorporating student interests, encouraging choice in activities, and facilitating discussions that empower students to take ownership of their learning.
• Infuse teaching with passion by sharing my enthusiasm, travel experience and expertise, creating a captivating learning environment where my energy inspires students to develop their own curiosity and love for the subject.
• Implement Universal Design for Learning by presenting information through diverse formats, and providing multiple options for students to demonstrate their understanding, ensuring an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all.
• Incorporate EdTech tools to promote digital literacy and creativity in the classroom.
• Lead STEAM-focused initiatives, combining arts and technology to engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving.

Bachelor of Arts, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, 05/01/05, Bachelor of Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, 05/01/09, Special Education, Part 1, 03/01/11, Intermediate Division, Dramatic Arts, 06/01/11, French as a Second Language, Part 1, 12/01/12, Dance, Part 1, 06/01/24