Susan Deshoux

Biography

I grew up in Westlock and still have many family members living in this area, so it was wonderful to begin teaching at WES in 2005. I have some fond memories of time spent in this school when it was Westlock’s Junior High. Being back is great! I graduated from the University of Alberta and began my career at Swan Hills School teaching Grade Three. Each year, I participated in Grade Six Outdoor Education Camp at Clear Lake, and also worked with the Junior High students to publish the school’s yearbook. After eleven years, I transferred to Barrhead Elementary School to teach Grade Five, where I discovered a love for teaching Science. What a joy it is to teach a subject that is mostly hands on and definitely full of discovery! At WES, I have had the opportunity to further my own math learning as well as my teaching strategies. Being a ‘memorizer’, I continue to learn strategies along side my students. Thankfully we are never too old to learn to do something in a more efficient way!! I have traveled throughout parts of nine Canadian provinces, and hope to travel to at least one of our Territories soon. I’ve also been to Belize twice now, and greatly enjoy spending time by the water whenever I can get it! My only overseas trip was to China, which was an adventure as well as an eye-opening experience. Walking the Great Wall and standing in Tiannanmen Square were only two of the highlights from that trip. Music is also a big part of my life and I enjoy concerts as well as attending Edmonton’s Folk Music Festival each summer. Gardening, camping and reading are some of my other favorite pastimes.