My name is Margaret Anna Geary-Merkl.
I am a very proud music education student graduated from the University of Lethbridge. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, I aspired to be a music teacher at a very young age thanks to my wonderful Kindergarten to Grade 8 music teacher. I want to give back to the community just like he did and make students love music and learning as much as I do. He taught me recorder, and clarinet. In Grade 9 I picked up the tenor saxophone and never turned back; and in University I bought an alto saxophone as well to accommodate being a classical saxophone major.
In summer 2011, I completed education 2500; the preliminary practicum required to enter the faculty of education. The Grade 2 classroom I was in made me adore teaching even more and taught me many vital skills such as classroom management, building positive relationships, and
collegiality. In fall 2012, I completed my first practicum in a Grade 4 classroom in Lethbridge, Alberta. I fell in love with the school, the kids, my TA, and teaching all over again. I became very interested in FNMI issues and culture thanks to the many Blackfoot students in my classroom and look forward to learning more about that culture. Also during PSI, I brought in some of my friends from the U of L saxophone studio and they played a small concert for most of the school. It was amazing to see how engaged the students were and how great their questions were. I completed PSII in Spring 2013 in Raymond, Alberta. I taught Grade 7-12 band and Grade 7 drama and science. I learned a lot from that experience and it made me a stronger person and a better teacher. I completed my final practicum at Mike Mountain Hourse Elementary School in Grades 2-5 music and a Grade 5 social studies class. I have been so happy teaching here and I can't imagine having a better teaching experience. Right from the get go, it was easy to establish relationships with the students and we had a great time learning about music together. I graduated with my B. Mus/B.Ed May 30th, 2014.
Recently, I taught elementary music at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy in Calgary for a year long maternity leave. Along with teaching K-4 elementary music, I coordinated the schools play, the remembrance day and Christmas assembly, assisted with "Air Band" and conducted "SAM (singing and movement) club"; a choir of over 100 students. Previously, I was a substitute teacher in Westwind District 74, Palliser District and Holy Spirit Disctrict, a behavioral aid who works with children on the autism spectrum (one on one, usually in their homes) and I taught private saxophone lessons through my own studio (I used to teach through Long and McQuade). I enjoy teaching my students who range from the ages of 10 to adult. I also gave a saxophone clinic with another U of L saxophone student to Winston Churchill High School (Calgary) in spring 2011. When I’m not teaching or at school, I like to crochet and knit, DIY craft projects, go for walks, and cook. I am half Italian and I speak some Italian and French. I am currently a substitute teacher for Holy Spirit and Lethbridge 51 as well as expecting my first child.
I am a very proud music education student graduated from the University of Lethbridge. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, I aspired to be a music teacher at a very young age thanks to my wonderful Kindergarten to Grade 8 music teacher. I want to give back to the community just like he did and make students love music and learning as much as I do. He taught me recorder, and clarinet. In Grade 9 I picked up the tenor saxophone and never turned back; and in University I bought an alto saxophone as well to accommodate being a classical saxophone major.
In summer 2011, I completed education 2500; the preliminary practicum required to enter the faculty of education. The Grade 2 classroom I was in made me adore teaching even more and taught me many vital skills such as classroom management, building positive relationships, and
collegiality. In fall 2012, I completed my first practicum in a Grade 4 classroom in Lethbridge, Alberta. I fell in love with the school, the kids, my TA, and teaching all over again. I became very interested in FNMI issues and culture thanks to the many Blackfoot students in my classroom and look forward to learning more about that culture. Also during PSI, I brought in some of my friends from the U of L saxophone studio and they played a small concert for most of the school. It was amazing to see how engaged the students were and how great their questions were. I completed PSII in Spring 2013 in Raymond, Alberta. I taught Grade 7-12 band and Grade 7 drama and science. I learned a lot from that experience and it made me a stronger person and a better teacher. I completed my final practicum at Mike Mountain Hourse Elementary School in Grades 2-5 music and a Grade 5 social studies class. I have been so happy teaching here and I can't imagine having a better teaching experience. Right from the get go, it was easy to establish relationships with the students and we had a great time learning about music together. I graduated with my B. Mus/B.Ed May 30th, 2014.
Recently, I taught elementary music at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy in Calgary for a year long maternity leave. Along with teaching K-4 elementary music, I coordinated the schools play, the remembrance day and Christmas assembly, assisted with "Air Band" and conducted "SAM (singing and movement) club"; a choir of over 100 students. Previously, I was a substitute teacher in Westwind District 74, Palliser District and Holy Spirit Disctrict, a behavioral aid who works with children on the autism spectrum (one on one, usually in their homes) and I taught private saxophone lessons through my own studio (I used to teach through Long and McQuade). I enjoy teaching my students who range from the ages of 10 to adult. I also gave a saxophone clinic with another U of L saxophone student to Winston Churchill High School (Calgary) in spring 2011. When I’m not teaching or at school, I like to crochet and knit, DIY craft projects, go for walks, and cook. I am half Italian and I speak some Italian and French. I am currently a substitute teacher for Holy Spirit and Lethbridge 51 as well as expecting my first child.