Sine MacDonald

Grade 4/5 teacher

Sine obtained her B.A. and B.Admin. degrees prior to completing her Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary and becoming a teacher. She has taught preschool to grade nine, but her passion is with the ECS and lower elementary grades. Sine had previously taught kindergarten and was a substitute teacher at Tanbridge before she joined the team full time. Sine comes from small-town Saskatchewan, and she got into teaching because of her love of kids and the curiosity and excitement they bring to learning. When she is not at school, she is very busy being involved in her three active kids' lives. She is kept on the go with their hockey and Irish dance activities. Sine loves swimming, yoga, and reading in any sacred spare time she can find.

Sine hopes her students and classroom environment feel her excitement and curiosity for life-long learning. She is forever curious about the world around her, which makes teaching the perfect profession. She can continue learning alongside her students. Sine loves working with children and seeing the wonder, inquisitiveness, and seeking minds they bring to school daily.

Sine enjoys bringing numerous teaching platforms to her classroom, which inspired her to obtain her Montessori diploma. A Montessori classroom emphasizes hands-on learning and encourages independence. It views children as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a sufficiently supportive and well-prepared learning environment. She also likes to adopt the Reggio approach to her classroom learning; much like the Montessori vision of study, it allows the child to be self-directed in a supportive place. Sine incorporates poetry, author studies, and games into her classroom to make it an interesting learning space for her students. This year her class is working on a conservation champion bee project.

Sine proudly belongs to the community of Tanbridge Academy as a teacher. She loves the community feel, amazing families, and inspiring colleagues she gets to work alongside. Sine believes Tanbridge helps create well-balanced students and teachers through academics, sports, and leadership. She likes the care of the whole child development that Tanbridge Academy brings. The smaller school environment has a real family feel that makes going to work a pleasure because she gets to work with colleagues who have become friends and are always supporting one another.