My name is Deirdre Bailey. I am an educator, a researcher, a leader and an adventurer passionate about thoughtful, responsive and ecologically conscious pedagogy. I am intensely enthusiastic about conversations related to changing our thinking around teaching and learning. I believe that schools and school systems are overdue for a radical revision of purpose and practice with students at the heart. I write to understand, sometimes to advocate, always to learn. My current research interests are hermeneutic phenomenology, critical pedagogy, and place-based pedagogy, but my reading interests extend to almost every aspect of teaching and learning. I am currently teaching Grade 7 Math and Science at Connect Charter School in Calgary. Previous positions have included Grade 4 Math/Science, Grades 4-9 Physical Education, and  a leadership position as Outdoor and Environmental Education Portfolio Leader. As an educator and a leader, my focus is on the importance of questions, reflections, and collaborative relationships as part of learning, unlearning and relearning how best to provide children with opportunities to become thoughtful, critical, independent citizens.  Personal passions include long runs, first-chair ski days, classical music, morning coffee, good books, my family, horses, dogs, the smell of fresh rainfall and the wild north coast of Ireland.  

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