"The Project"

Our project examines how textbook-reliant teachers can successfully integrate a high-yield strategy like Bansho into their math programs in a way that recognizes the unique learning needs of at risk schools, in classrooms with high ELL populations and students who need extensive remediation of basic math skills.

Smart Board technology is used as a tool to increase student engagement, and to meet the secondary goal of this project:  Exposing students from low socio-economic backgrounds to 21st century learning and working tools.

Dale Trinder

Dale has extensive experience teaching primary and junior classes in schools in low socio-economic status neighbourhoods and with high ELL populations.  He has taken part in School Success training and attended the Instructional Intelligences Institute.  He has completed his Reading Specialist AQ course. 

In 2008, Dale  was a panelist on a Peel Board webcast about Teaching & Learning Critical Pathways.  He considers himself to be a life long learner; last year's project was to implement the 'Daily Five' literacy framework in his classroom.  He is refining that this year with the use of CAFE, and is also focusing on his new and improved math program through this project.

Originally from Cornwall, England, Dale holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of Plymouth and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Exeter.

Outside of school Dale enjoys spending time with his wife and young son.  He plays guitar and produces electronic music.  He loves his city (Toronto) and the amazing cuisine from around the world that it has to offer.

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Vera C. Teschow

With age comes experience...  (Still working on the wisdom part!)

Vera has worked in Peel for over a decade, first as a classroom teacher, then a program resource consultant, and finally as acting vice principal before returning to the classroom to teach a 3/4 class with that Board.  She has also participated on Board and Ministry LNS research and writing teams, has developed and instructed courses with the Peel Summer Academy (PSA), Soul Drums and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Summer Club for Kids, and was the director of Discover Toronto: A Multiple Intelligences Approach to the City, a small and unique summer program for Gifted learners. 

Vera holds a B.Ed., and an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto.  In addition, she is certified in Music, Primary Instruction, Special Education and ESL, and holds a Masters Degree in Education from OISE in Toronto.  She is currently working towards her Private Pilot License (PPL) with Transport Canada Aviation.

Over the past several years, Vera has worked extensively with Tyndale University’s Dept of Education, teaching courses in Classroom Management, Differentiated Instruction, the Arts and ESL for pre-service teacher candidates in the primary-junior and junior-intermediate divisions.  In Sept 2011, Vera returned full time to the classroom, taking on a Grade 3 position at a small, vibrant school with the Peel District School Board.

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In her spare time, Vera enjoys making music, designing websites, volunteering with refugees and immigrants in Toronto and embarking on various adventures with her 9-year-old twin boys.

Visit Vera online at www.verateschow.ca