This week the Access Learning Blog is starting a series of posts that will help our community get to know the inspiring and exceptional tutors who make up its team. Today, the blog looks at Pamela Robinson, founder of Access Learning and wearer of many hats, including administrator, tutor, and children’s advocate. So keep reading and get to know the amazing woman who keeps Access Learning going and who inspires all of us to help our students learn and grow to the best of their ability.
What inspired you to start Access Learning? What are your hopes and dreams for Access Learning going forward?
The summer before I started teacher’s college I worked at Camp Winston, a residential summer program for children with neurological disorders. All of the campers were creative, energetic, and eager to learn, and almost all did not have positive school experiences. When I was in my teaching placements, I was drawn to those students who needed the extra patience and relationship building to be open to learning. My goal is to connect with those students who need more than what is currently available in the school system and help them to learn the strategies they need to be successful.
What ongoing learning have you done to help the students you tutor and develop Access Learning?
Since leaving university, I have sought out learning experiences to get to know the diverse student population. I have studied Behaviour Science, ABA, Special Education, Mental Health in the Classroom, Collaborative Problem Solving, an Orton-Gillingham based program Aardvark, and this year: Learning Strategies.
Outside of tutoring, what do you like to do?
My work days are full with teaching, meeting new families, and collaborating with our tutors, so to recharge I like to be at home, practice yoga, spend time with family and friends, and hike with my dog.
What’s your favourite meal?
Nachos. Does that count as a meal?
List your top three movies and why you like them.
I’m not a huge movie fan, but I do really enjoy movies that are based on books like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
What was the last book you read? Tell us a bit about it.
The last full book I read was The Twits, by Roald Dahl. It’s ridiculous and full of creative language so it’s a favourite summer read with students. The last book I read for fun was Talking as Fast as I Can, by Lauren Graham. I’m a Gilmore Girls and Parenthood fan, so it was a perfect vacation read.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be?
A teacher. I checked with my mom, and she confirmed that my teacher dream started in Mrs. Sayle’s Grade 2 class.
Share a quote that inspires you.
From The Reason I Jump, by Noaki Higashida:
“To be able to study like other people, we need more time and different strategies and approaches. And those people who help us study, they actually need more patience than we do. They need to understand our eagerness to learn, even though from the outside we may not appear to be keen students. But we are. We, too, want to grow.”
That is the kind of teacher I continually strive to be, and the understanding that I want all teachers to have for their students.
What is your favourite part about working with Access Learning?
The opportunity to get know each child and family, the magic moments when new learning clicks, and the science experiments with home school students!
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