Team+Terry+Fox+Elementary


 * Paula Chapman, Joan Wilson** and **Shari Smith-Ellis** are the three members of Terry Fox Elementary School's Leadership Team heading to Washington DC. The Team also includes Patrick McLaughlin, who attended the March Global Forum as an Innovative Teacher.

Shari, Paula, Joan and Patrick have been working together since TFES opened in September, 2006. We've had the good fortune to be working in a school where every classroom has an interactive white board and an FM sound field system. Our library is equipped in the same way. Our cafeteria and gym have projectors, large screens and microphones so that all school activities, within classroom walls or in our larger spaces, incorporate innovative uses of technology. We enjoy watching morning announcements (TFES News), wherever we are in the school. Students work behind the scenes as technicians, and are also in the spotlight as guest newscasters.

Shari loves music, traveling with her husband, walking and living on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Chaleur. Reading is a favourite pastime – her electronic book is never far from her side. Well, let's face it, she's a 'techie' – she usually has the latest gadget.
 * In Washington you'll meet Shari, Paula and Joan, so here's our picture and a little bit about us:**
 * Shari** is the school principal; she's a fierce advocate of incorporating technology into meaningful and relevant learning opportunities. She is always encouraging us to take a risk – 'just give it a try! With her encouragement, we do 'try' and are always amazed at how our students enthusiastically respond to new learning opportunities like creating e-portfolios of students reading and having students assess their 'next steps' in the development of reading strategies. This term, Shari has spearheaded the organization of school wide enrichment clusters in our learning community. Visitors to our school on enrichment days see engaged learners participating in activities ranging from ballet to geocaching to a student developed nature walk.

Paula has three children, two daughters at university and one son in grade 12. She has a bichon-maltese, which gets her out walking each evening. Paula loves travelling, reading, cooking and playing around with technology in her spare time. She's also a news hound who needs her daily world news.
 * Paula** is our vice-principal. She's an engaging advocate of students participation in all aspects of daily school life. She looks for ways to celebrate our positive learning environment, encouraging students to live by our school motto: Developing the hero in us all! Paula starts the day manning the school breakfast program, welcoming students each morning and helping them to start their day prepared to learn. She is an integral part of our TFES News broadcast. This term, Paula's school enrichment group is creating student developed scripts for our school Marvin characters.

Joan has two children, both grown and living away from home. She loves to walk the beach and hike in the woods with her husband. Joan loves visiting her seven month old granddaughter, reading and travelling. Lately, home renovations seem to be the focus of any spare time.
 * Joan** is the school guidance counsellor; she's a motivating advocate of 'think win-win', teaching and supporting students to work together to resolve issues. She trains Terry's Peace Pals, grade 5 students who work as peer mediators on our playground. Joan incorporates technology into classroom guidance. At the grade 5 level, students prepare Marvin projects to teach younger students about issues like playground safety and bullying awareness. Joan's school enrichment group this term supports students in taking action to address their concerns/change their world.