Meet Carmen–she is a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a B. Sc and B. Ed, with over seven years of teaching experience! As the lead instructor, Carmen is well versed in teaching technology curriculum and working with children. She also mentors her fellow instructors to provide a positive and productive classroom experience. Learn more about Carmen below:
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Carmen Ho and I’m a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a B. Sc and B. Ed. I love working with kids and being able to see them be creative and make discoveries as they develop and apply new skills. In this rapidly growing and changing world, there will always be something new for kids to learn. I hope to continue making contributions in the field of education and technology, allowing me to continue to learn alongside these young, incredible minds.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that learning is a life-long process and that quality learning happens by doing, experiencing, taking on challenges, and making mistakes. It’s important for a teacher to create an encouraging environment where learners can explore new things without fear, a safe space for them to take chances and make mistakes. A teacher should also recognize that all learners are different and each individual has their own unique way of learning, so it’s important to differentiate how you teach depending on the group of learners, and try to incorporate their interests into the topics. That being said, a teacher should still have high expectations for their learners to allow them to grow into independent individuals who can problem-solve, think critically, and become future leaders. To support this growth, a teacher should provide constructive feedback when needed, while also celebrating milestone achievements.
Why is technology important to you?
Technology is important to me because it allows me to connect with relatives from different parts of the world, and dive into things I otherwise wouldn’t have access to. I got to see technology change and evolve – I remember a time without internet! While I still advocate for outdoor exploration and activities, the growth of technology has made things a lot more convenient, and certainly has expanded our library of resources. Not only can I read about other cultures or how to bake a cake, I can see it with a click of a mouse! I can communicate with relatives all over the world without calling cards or hand-written letters, and can share my experiences instantly with family and friends without waiting a week for photos to develop. It’s really amazing what technology has become, and I’m super excited to see how it will continue to evolve in the future – travelling in a mega-rocket and arriving overseas within an hour to celebrate my great-aunt’s birthday? Count me in!
How long have you been with Kidzwhiz?
I’ve been with the company for over 7 years!
What attracted you to Kidzwhiz (how did you get started)?
Becoming an educator has always been my dream, but an educator in technology was still very new to me, especially since I didn’t feel like I had much experience with technology at the time. My friend introduced me to this opportunity, and I quickly realized that I had been exploring technology quite a bit in my childhood and adolescent years. From creating pixel art on Paint and dabbling in digital art with Photoshop, to self-learning HTML and CSS to customize my livejournal page, I was easily able to transfer my childhood experiences to this role, and learn a lot more from it. By being a part of Kidzwhiz, I hope to become a resource for kids who are like a young me. I hope to equip kids with the foundation needed, and act as a guide for them, to channel their interest in technology and apply it to both their hobbies and future endeavors.
What makes Kidzwhiz a special place to work for?
Working for Kidzwhiz gives me the opportunity to meet learners with a variety of backgrounds. I’ve had the privilege of seeing students grow from being completely new users of certain technologies, to experts who can mentor and teach others. I get to work with a team of diverse, like-minded people, and be part of a community that aims to foster technology education for young children, allowing them to be equipped with the skills they need to thrive in our technological future. It’s a bonus that I get to explore and experiment with the latest technology for kids!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love to draw and do arts and crafts.
What is one of your favorite classroom memories?
There are countless memories that I cherish from my experience working here, and it’s difficult to narrow it down to a favorite. Having been with Kidzwhiz for so long, I’ve seen a lot of kids come and go, and it’s always so heartwarming when kids reach out after graduating from our classes to tell us how they’re doing, how we impacted them, and how far they’ve come in their journey with technology. It’s great to know that we made a difference, and many past students come back as volunteers and instructors, becoming the inspiration for the next generation of kids. It’s like passing on a legacy!
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