Community Field Experience
Southpointe Academy
Inital Thoughts
Southpointe Academy first came onto my radar when one of my favorite teachers, Susan Deane, asked me to provide a reference for her as she applied for the university resource teacher position. At the time, I was in my first year of engineering and had never considered becoming a teacher. How funny life works! Over the past six to seven years, I have kept in touch with Susan and have only heard fantastic things about the school.
Southpointe came up again more recently when my partner began doing contract IT work there through Uniserve. He was amazed by the school’s beautiful campus and, more importantly, by the kindness and professionalism of the staff.
Although I did not have the opportunity to participate in the IB program in high school, I quickly came to admire the IBO’s philosophy and teaching methods when I entered the IB certificate program at UBC. Over time, these principles have shaped my own pedagogical approach. I firmly believe that education is a lifelong journey and that students should be active participants in their learning. To me, the IB framework is the ideal way to teach. Southpointe, as a continuum school, offers a unique opportunity to foster well-rounded, lifelong learners. This is particularly appealing to me as an aspiring IB educator, as most schools in the Lower Mainland only offer the DP program.
When I finally had the chance to visit Southpointe, I was truly impressed and immediately knew I wanted to contribute to its community. The campus, having been built recently, is stunning. My visit began with an introduction from William Johnson, the Deputy Head of School, who warmly welcomed us, shared the school’s values, and provided an overview of the IB program. He also ensured we had time to ask questions before leading us on a tour.
As we walked through the school, I was struck by how polite and respectful the students were toward both their peers and teachers. William emphasized the school’s strong sense of community and the deliberate efforts made to build relationships with students and their families. One initiative that stood out to me was a dedicated block where students meet regularly with an assigned teacher who serves as a trusted adult, checking in on their well-being and academic progress. This teacher remains with the student over time, creating a lasting support system that ensures no student is left behind—a truly remarkable approach.
Additionally, I was amazed by the variety of clubs and co-curricular activities that teachers lead, further strengthening the school’s sense of community. This supportive and engaging environment is unlike anything I have seen before, and it was this very aspect that inspired me to pursue my CFE placement at Southpointe.
