Megan McGuire (MA, BASc, BC Teaching COQ)
Megan's fascination with the intersection of child development and teaching was sparked while she was pursuing her Bachelor of Applied Science in Child, Youth and Family from the University of Guelph alongside her early childhood educator certificate. She followed this interest into the Masters in Child Study and Education program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, becoming a certified teacher. At OISE, her pedagogy was deepened by the emphasis on child-centred education, research-informed practice and inquiry-based learning championed at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School. In her time as a student, Megan was the recipient of over a dozen major academic awards including the Robert Seth Kingsley Graduate Student Scholarship for the MA Child Study and Education student demonstrating the strongest potential for excellence and leadership in Special Education.
Over the last decade, she has applied her theoretical knowledge in a number of different environments including serving as a behaviour support director at a camp program for children and youth with disabilities, research work on the Ontario Child Health Study at the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University, working as an inclusion facilitator at the University of Guelph vanguard Child Care and Learning Center, leading a program evaluation for a remote educational program at a major national non-profit, working at an Educational Consultancy collaborating with an Indigenous community to develop a remote teacher education program, as well as countless hours of working one-on-one with students and teaching in diverse classroom environments.
Through this range of experiences, Megan has learned one thing: she is most fulfilled when she is able to translate her academic knowledge into tangible learning connections with children. She is passionate and driven in her pursuit to create evidence-based learning experiences and strategies that support every child in experiencing success both inside and outside of the classroom.
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe that every child has the capacity to contribute and communicate, and is a social being who is entitled to respect, care, quality education and comprehensive services that are in their best interest.
Positive relationships, psychological security, and a strong understanding of child development are at the foundation of all of my learning with children.
Positive Relationships
Developing positive relationships always come first in learning; children don’t learn from adults they don’t like, and children don’t like adults who they feel don’t understand who they are. Learning is a relational act built on the foundation of a warm, secure and responsive relationship.
Psychological Security
Psychological security is essential for learning, children learn best when they feel safe and comfortable in their environment. This means their environment is one where their thoughts, questions and ideas are invited, their mistakes are celebrated as a natural part of learning, and they feel they can be themselves.
Child Development
Understanding development theory is crucial for learning. This knowledge allows educators to not only recognize and articulate how children’s development is unique, but also to know how to apply pedagogical approaches to most effectively support the development and learning of each child.
My teaching philosophy is further informed by “How Does Learning Happen?”, Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years. “How Does Learning Happen?” identifies four foundations that are essential for children’s learning and development. These foundations for learning are at the core of how I develop and teach my classes with children.
Belonging: I will work to cultivate an authentic, caring relationship and connection to create a sense of belonging between myself and your child(ren).
Well-Being: I will nurture your child(ren)’s health development and support their growing sense of self.
Engagement: I will provide experiences and an environment to engage your child(ren) in active, creative, and meaningful exploration, play and inquiry.
Expression: I will foster your child(ren)’s communication and expression in all forms.