Associate teacher

Paying it forward: Associate teacher Sherri-Lynn Soumis mentors the next generation

Sherri-Lynn Soumis in her classroomAssociate teacher Sherri-Lynn Soumis cites her mentors as inspiration in becoming an associate teacher herself (PROVIDED BY SHERRI-LYNN SOUMIS/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

Sherri-Lynn Soumis’s mentor used to tell her to “pay it forward” whenever she could. 

As a high school English teacher, Soumis is doing just that as an associate teacher, mentoring University of Windsor teacher candidates through their practice teaching placements. 

Soumis explains that she takes inspiration from her own associate teachers who left a lasting impression on her. 

Why great art teachers still get their hands dirty

Sanja Srdanov in front of a wall of student artSanja Srdanov is a secondary art teacher and associate teacher mentoring teacher candidates from the Faculty of Education (S. SRDANOV/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

No matter where secondary visual arts teacher Sanja Srdanov (BFA ’01, BEd ’02) is teaching, her focus is both student-centred and grounded in craft. 

A Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate from the University of Windsor, Srdanov emphasizes the importance of being a practicing artist as a visual arts educator. 

A lifelong legacy of giving back: Retired women teachers’ organization celebrates 70 years

A group of women with a banner for the Retired Women Teachers' OrganizationRetired Women Teachers of Ontario celebrated its 70th jubilee at Devonshire Mall (MIKE FLANAGAN/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

Teaching has been part of Gina Marcon’s (BA ’87, BEd ’88) life since she was six years old. 

“I knew then that I was going to be a teacher,” she says. “Every time my cousins would come over, we’d play school, and I was always the teacher.”