Kindergarten Teacher

SHELBY PARKES
BA, B.Ed, OCT

Shelby’s journey into discovering her passion for childhood development and environmental sustainability began at Fanshawe College where she graduated with her diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2016. Shelby has always had a natural passion for educating and connecting with youth and was eager to learn more to allow them to reach their fullest potential and be an integral part of each child’s development.

Shelby went on the work in various teaching positions where she applied what she learned to create a safe, inclusive and engaging environment that allowed each child to express themselves creatively through play-based, child-directed learning.

Shelby soon realized that she wanted to expand her knowledge on nature and the environment, something she was also passionate about. Shelby had always taken an interest in caring for the environment and waste reduction, using any chance she got to educate others about the importance of interacting with nature and being respectful of your surroundings. 

After working as a Supply ECE and a children’s dance instructor, Shelby went on to complete her degree in Environment and Sustainable Development at the University of Guelph in 2020. During her university career, Shelby learned about environmental conservation, sustainability, and the importance of connecting with the world around us. 

Shelby originally joined North 44 as part of the Preschool program back in 2021 where she remained for a year and a half. She adored her time working directly with staff and children in an outdoor, nature-based setting where she combined her two passions of educating children and nature-based learning. Empowering children to learn through collaboration as an educator and guiding their learning through curiosity and child-led play is something she truly feels passionate about. 

Shelby decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education and obtain her Teaching Certificate, during which she has gained an influx of knowledge on the Ontario curriculum, various teaching methods, and lesson-plan building with differentiation for varying academic levels. She also prioritizes the incorporation of student’s interests and input into her teaching and implements social and emotional skill development into every learning opportunity.

Shelby is thrilled to be back at North 44 Academy and feels very fortunate to be able to connect with children in a diverse network of outdoor settings where endless learning opportunities are prevalent. She is excited to implement her professional knowledge, while also continuing to learn and grow as a high-quality educator.