Eric Bailey

Background

About Eric Bailey

Hi! I'm Eric and I have a passion for learning and sharing knowledge with others! I have always been curious about the world. As a child, I fondly remember going to the library and signing out stacks of books on topics ranging from space exploration to ancient history. I was fortunate enough to have parents and teachers that fostered this curiosity and taught me that true learning empowers an individual to improve their life and the lives around them. My path to becoming an educator was indirect to say the least. Graduating from high school I was drawn to zoology for my love of wildlife but was also captivated by the holistic nature of the natural world and so I added an environmental science degree to my studies. Working as a research assistant for the University of Alberta was tremendously enjoyable. Being able to see these ecosystems and learn how human activities effect these delicate habitats was truly eye-opening. I considered my future career possibilities as an environmental scientist until I uncovered the joy of working with young people. While working as a camp counsellor, I realized just how rewarding it can be to help others find their true potential, foster their curiosities and encourage the upcoming generations to be diligent citizens and wise stewards of our planet. Realizing the social value of education, I enrolled in the University of Alberta’s to study Education. My experiences during my education degree helped me realize the demographic changes our country is experiencing, the lingering trauma of colonization and the need for reconciliation, as well as the emerging need for adaptability and resilience in an increasingly globalizing and rapidly changing economy. I had the privilege of student teaching at Corpus Christi School and Westmount Junior High School and learned so much from the staff and students at both these schools. I was nominated for the E.E. and G.S. Lord Memorial Prize in recognition of my student teaching performance. I am an advocate for increased extracurricular participation in schools and I see this as a way for fostering a supportive learning community. During my student teaching experience, I assisted in coaching volleyball, basketball and badminton teams. In January 2020, I began working as a teacher for Palliser Regional Schools at Heritage Christian Academy.