Q&A with Blyth Academy Downsview Park Teacher Ms. Jordan Desai

Meet Ms. Jordan Desai!

• Years in Education: 5 
• Years at Blyth Academy: 2 

Jordan Desai (M.A., ME.d) is committed to the realms of education, inclusivity, and mental health. When she is not at school or grading papers, she can be found in the kitchen trying new recipes, and hanging out with her dog, Biscuit. 

What/who inspired you to become a teacher? 

From a young age, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher. I would continuously beg my loved ones to play “school” with me, a game where I would create and teach activities for anyone and everyone possible. Throughout my summers during elementary and secondary school, I went to overnight camp and always looked up to my counsellors. My counsellors played a unique role in my life because they taught me so much but they were non-traditional in the sense that they were not in the classroom context or academic environment. Looking back on this, it is clear that from early on in my life, camp allowed me to understand and explore the role of education, leadership, and mentorship. 

If someone walked into your classroom tomorrow, what would they see, hear, and feel?

It is important to me that my classroom is welcoming to all people who enter. I hope that the visitor would feel included in our environment, hear a ton of discussion, and see themselves represented on our motivation board.   

What is one of your favourite memories as a teacher? 

Last year, I spent hours preparing for a big meeting with the Ministry of Education. When I finally arose from my classroom ready to go, one of my students had made up the silliest song to try and help me relax and laugh before the meeting. It worked! 

What is most rewarding about being a teacher? 

The most rewarding part about being a teacher is knowing that I have the ability to shape young minds and see the world differently than they did before.  

What is one skill you think every student should learn? 

I'm a big believer in students honing their media literacy skills. In today's world of non-stop information and social media, it's crucial that everyone knows how to sift through media content critically. This helps us spot misinformation and see when language is loaded with bias.    

Want to learn more about Blyth Academy Downsview Park?

Blyth Academy Downsview Park is a private school catering to students in Grades 4-12. Our campus focuses on small class sizes with individualized attention and a wealth of athletic development opportunities with modern on-site fitness and training facilities.

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