Liana Thompson '94 ED CERT
Monday, March 24, 2008
Many Canadian students choose to pursue their teaching certification in the United States. Liana Thompson ’94 ED CERT came to Medaille after earning her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Following graduation from Medaille, Thompson began her teaching career in 1995 in Victoria, British Columbia.
She came back east in 1996, and while holding down different teaching and instruction positions, went on to earn her Master of Education from Charles Stuart University. This combination of experience and training has proven valuable as Thompson just started as the vice principal at the Port Dover Composite School in Ontario this January.
Thompson’s early subject areas included science and math, but she developed a focus on special education, including serving as a district special education coordinator, that led her to transition from classroom to administrator.
“I realized that I worked well with people in that capacity,” Thompson says. “In the role of coordinator, I had an opportunity to implement system goals with our school board and provide support under my direction. I found that I could affect change with classroom teachers just as well as with students, so I thought this was a good opportunity for me.”
Thompson plans to continue in administration for the time being, especially given the ideal situation she has now.
“I see myself continuing as a vice principal for awhile, as I have a seven-month old daughter at home,” Thompson says. “I really like the role of vice principal because I work with a principal who is my mentor. I can learn a lot from her right now and still not take on the full responsibility of a whole school. I do look forward to eventually moving up to principal, and I hope one day to move into a supervisory office position.”
When she’s not working, Thompson enjoys long distance running, cooking and travelling the world. She also dotes on her new daughter, Allegra.
“She is the light of my life,” Thompson says. “I just want to be a good role model for her and I want her to see her mom being not only a great mom, but also successful in her career. I hope I can be an example that shows that she can achieve whatever her dreams are if she puts her mind to it.”
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